By unanimous decision, boxer Hanna Gabriel Valle retained her World Boxing Organization Super Welterweight championship title against Kali Reis, a rugged challenger from the United States. The fight was the main event in a boxing card held in Liberia, province of Guanacaste, on Saturday night.

The judges scored the fight 99-91, 100 -90 and 98-92. Although Ms. Reis looked technically proficient in the first two rounds, Ms. Gabriel clearly dominated the fight after the third round.

The champ did not give her opponent any space; she chased Ms. Reis all over the ring and established punching supremacy until the final round. Ms. Gabriel utilized everything she has in her arsenal to defend her title; however, her power punches were guarded as she did not want to leave herself open for surprise knockout, a painful experience she has endured once in her career.

Weighing in at 154 pounds, Ms. Gabriel was in great shape for the fight, more so than Ms. Reis, a very scrappy fighter who defended herself well against the champ. Ms. Reis was at risk of a technical knockout a couple of time, but she managed to stay on her feet and find space in the ring to recover and continue fighting.

The fight took place at the Edgardo Baltodano Stadium in Liberia, a very nice venue for boxing, at least during the dry season. Rain pelted the boxers and the audience during the last three rounds, but the fans stayed to see Ms. Gabriel hold her belt high and blow kisses from the ring.

Ms. Gabriel is a very popular athlete in Costa Rica; she is blessed with striking looks that are further accentuated with her powerful punches and top-notch physical conditioning. Gabriel is also known as an animal rights activist. She is married to Bryan “Tiquito” Vasquez another world boxing champion from Costa Rica.