Pinay boxers advance to finals

Gretchen Abaniel and Mitchell Martinez came away with a pair of emphatic victories over their respective rivals to advance to the finals of the third Asian Women’s Boxing Championships in Kaoshiung, Taipei Tuesday.

Abaniel outclassed Japanese Kadokura Chiaki from start to finish and went on to score an RSC (referee-stopped-contest) victory in their 46-kg clash. Abaniel, who took the first round, 18-3, and led in the second, 1-0, when the fight was stopped, will face Mary Comm of India in the finals.

Martinez likewise romped away with an RSC win over Vietnamese Dinh Thi Thanh in the 60-kg division to gain a spot in the finals against another Indian rival, Pranamika Borah.

Annaliza Cruz tries to join her two compatriots in the championship round as she fights Japanese Yanase Asami in the 51-kg division of the event which drew 73 lady boxers from 11 nations.