| |
|
PINAY ABANIEL FAILS IN WBO TITLE BID IN OSAKA
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Sep 2014
Abaniel.
OSAKA--Despite a spirited bid, gutsy Pinay Gretchen Abaniel fell short in her bid to add the WBO minimumweight title, losing via split decision to Japan's Kumiko Ikehara at the jampacked Azalea Taisho here.
The Filipina banger could not rev up her engine early enough to keep pace with her stronger foe, who outworked her 3 to 1 from all angles.
A cut suffered in the tenth frame further doomed Abaniel's bid, as the Filipina adopted a somewhat defensive mode most of the fight in lieu of her usual offensive style.
In the co-feature, 45-year-old civil worker Nao Ikeyama continues to defy time with a hard-fought unanimous decision verdict over game compatriot Masae Akitaya.
Akitaya seemed to have an edge early, moving and piling up points but Ikeyama found her range during close-quarter exchanges and scored a flash knockdown in the second round which may have saved her in this very close contest.
The double WBO championship bouts were presented by Futur Promotions of businessman Yasushi Hirayama.
The WBO has continued to make inroads in Japan with its Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo leading the charge.
Both Ikeyama and Ikehara are expected to defend their titles early next year.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
