Gretel is a strong, come forward action fighter. She has a low centre of gravity, and her ability to work the body whilst marching forward makes her difficult to defy. Her hands are deceptively quick, and she lands shots well if able to achieve close range. She competed at Victory 8 in March against Nguyen Thi Tam, taking the fight at short notice. There is no doubt we will see a vastly improved version of Gretel De Paz come October 19.
It pays to be versatile, and former musician Rica Aquino makes no secret of her love for the sport of boxing. A relatively late starter to tackling the pros, the girl known as "Baby Dynamite" resumes from a three year hiatus when she clashes with debutant Erika Ballen at ANNIHILATION UKC next month.
Aquino, who also has a passionate involvement in boxing media, is a sponge for information, and is working hard on fitness and skills for her first fight back.
And who better to learn from than the exquisite Miss Gretel De Paz!
Gretel is one of the Philippines best performed pros, and was even recently a SEA Games medalist in Muay Thai. De Paz has twice been a member of the World Team against Vietnam, where she joined fighters of the calibre of Mateo Tapia, Charly Suarez, Danilo Creati, Virgel Vitor and Michael Pengue.
They say if you go swimming, you gonna get wet, and we are sure Rica got in the deep end of the pool today!
RICA AQUINO v ERIKA BALLEN
4 rounds Bantamweight
ANNIHILATION UKC
Elorde Sports Centre Paranaque Manila Sunday August 7th
Banging times ahead for some of the Elorde crew.
Gretel De Paz heads to Australia in June, then Lorenz Ladrada to Australia, Cris Ganoza and the Wolverine JonJon Estrada to Japan, and Jules Victoriano to Vietnam, all in July.
Ranny Quizo also meets Rodel Suganob in a local derby that same month.
DON'T FORGET we will have a big card for Manila on August 7th, where we are working to get the Philippines best Charly Suarez his first foreign opponent in the professional ranks.
Also very exciting news breaking late last night is the appearance at this show of the promising and unbeaten Jerald Into.
For those who aren't familiar with the name, you are sure to hear a lot more!
This is a boxer who has settled his first 4 fights with dramatic Knockouts !
SEA Games silver medallist and Victory8 World Team member Gretel De Paz will make her return to the ring in Brisbane next month.
De Paz will take on rising Aussie star Taylah Robertson, who is a former esteemed amateur. The clash represents a rise in weight class for the Philippines fighter, but she definitely possesses the heavier hands, and she is likely to give Robertson plenty to contend with.
Elorde team at this morning's photo call ! Top pros Jules Victoriano, Ranny Quizo, Gretel De Paz, Jover Amistoso and JL Laurente all have big matches at UKC, with Gretel De Paz making her much anticipated Muay Thai debut.
Meanwhile, with an eye to the future, amateur hopefuls Bong Lipata, Raizen Jhay Dela Fuente, and Fernando Olivar are ready to steal all the attention come February 12. These boys are still only teens, and are working hard on their fitness and skills to forge a pro career later on.