The Philippines’ Gretchen Abaniel scored an impressive fourth round technical knockout (KO) win over
Thailand’s Modthanoi Sithsaithong to claim the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) minimum weight world title at the Makati Cinema Square on Sunday.

The 27-year-old lady boxer from Puerto Princesa dominated the first three rounds of the fight peppering her Thai opponent with punches from different angles. Referee Sam Bernabe stopped the fight at 1:36 of the fourth round when Sithsaithong can no longer defend herself.

“I cannot afford to lose again so I trained very hard for this fight,” Abaniel told The Manila Times on Sunday night during the post-fight party at Team Insider Sports Bar in Tune Hotel. “I’m really thankful for the second chance given to me by my manager Jonathan Thorp.”

Abaniel (12-4, 3 KOs) first won the title in 2009 and defended it once before losing the belt in Thailand via unanimous decision. Going into Sunday’s battle, she had lost three out of her last four fights and knew she was staring at the end of her career if she didn’t come through this time.

Abaniel’s victory headlined an entertaining first fight card put on by Team Insider Promotions, led by British businessman and longtime Philippine resident Thorp. Thorp has promised to rejuvenate the local boxing scene in the coming year with entertaining promotions the likes of which haven’t been seen before around Manila.

In the first undercard fight, Team Insider’s Roman “Hitman” Canto lost via KO against Indonesia’s Ruben Manakane in the fourth round.

Canto, who came into the fight with an unblemished a 7-0 record had the Indonesian in serious trouble in the second round but was eventually overpowered by his rugged opponent.

“I don’t know what happened,” a stunned Canto said afterward. “I have got to go back to the gym and hopefully I can learn from this mistake.”

In the other bout, Team Insider’s Ricky Dulay improved his record to 3-0 with a second round stoppage of Gilbert Donasales.