Post by B. Singh on Jul 17, 2006 7:08:23 GMT -5
Ramnarine makes successful first defence
Ian Prescott iprescott@trinidadexpress.com
Sunday, July 16th 2006
Ria Ramnarine (right) lands a blow on Stephanie George of Guyana in Friday's WIBA mini-flyweight world title fight.
Amidst lots of melodrama and to the pulsating beat of Queen's "We Will Rock You", Ria Ramnarine entered the ring at the Chaguanas Regional Indoor Sports Facility at Saith Park, Chaguanas, in defence of her Women's International Boxing Association (WIBA) mini-flyweight (105 pound) world title on Friday night.
And by the end of ten two-minute rounds of boxing, her supporters were exhilarated.
Ramnarine, 28, had seen off the challenge of Guyanese Stephanie George to come away from her first defence with a unanimous points decision.
Judges George St Aude (99-92), Glenroy Noel (98-92) and Tommy Thomas (99-91) all saw Ramnarine winning by a clear decision.
The victory gave Ramnarine her tenth win in 14 fights, while George's record now slips to five victories and six defeats.
Ramnarine found her first defence to be much easier than when she won the title last year via  a controversial decision over American Yvonne Caples at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port of Spain.
Going into Friday night's fight, George was no stranger to Trinidad and Tobago, having lost here last year to unranked T&T fighter Vickki Boodram, an opponent Ramnarine had beaten in an earlier fight. But while George seemed "hand-picked" for Ramnarine, Friday's fight was still competitive.
Although Ramnarine seemed to have clearly won the fight, many of the rounds were very close. The local fighter seemed to have justifiably gotten the edge because of her better boxing technique, which allowed her to accumulate points, while her Guyanese opponent was concentrating on landing one big knockout punch.
The aggressor throughout, George tried several times to connect with a booming roundhouse right hand to Ramnarine's jaw. Most times, she missed, but did land one big punch in the third round, which drew  concern from the pro-Ramnarine crowd. Â
After four rounds, the fight appeared even, but then the Trinidad and Tobago champion settled, using her jab and quicker hands to steal the rounds one by one.
By the tenth, George appeared to need a knockout, but failed to land the decisive blow.
Possibly knowing that she was well ahead going into the final round, Ramnarine got on her "bike", sticking out the left jab and staying out of the reach of George's wild punches.
And once referee McKenzie Granger raised her hand in victory, there were wild celebrations among Ramnarine's fans.
Ian Prescott iprescott@trinidadexpress.com
Sunday, July 16th 2006
Ria Ramnarine (right) lands a blow on Stephanie George of Guyana in Friday's WIBA mini-flyweight world title fight.
Amidst lots of melodrama and to the pulsating beat of Queen's "We Will Rock You", Ria Ramnarine entered the ring at the Chaguanas Regional Indoor Sports Facility at Saith Park, Chaguanas, in defence of her Women's International Boxing Association (WIBA) mini-flyweight (105 pound) world title on Friday night.
And by the end of ten two-minute rounds of boxing, her supporters were exhilarated.
Ramnarine, 28, had seen off the challenge of Guyanese Stephanie George to come away from her first defence with a unanimous points decision.
Judges George St Aude (99-92), Glenroy Noel (98-92) and Tommy Thomas (99-91) all saw Ramnarine winning by a clear decision.
The victory gave Ramnarine her tenth win in 14 fights, while George's record now slips to five victories and six defeats.
Ramnarine found her first defence to be much easier than when she won the title last year via  a controversial decision over American Yvonne Caples at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port of Spain.
Going into Friday night's fight, George was no stranger to Trinidad and Tobago, having lost here last year to unranked T&T fighter Vickki Boodram, an opponent Ramnarine had beaten in an earlier fight. But while George seemed "hand-picked" for Ramnarine, Friday's fight was still competitive.
Although Ramnarine seemed to have clearly won the fight, many of the rounds were very close. The local fighter seemed to have justifiably gotten the edge because of her better boxing technique, which allowed her to accumulate points, while her Guyanese opponent was concentrating on landing one big knockout punch.
The aggressor throughout, George tried several times to connect with a booming roundhouse right hand to Ramnarine's jaw. Most times, she missed, but did land one big punch in the third round, which drew  concern from the pro-Ramnarine crowd. Â
After four rounds, the fight appeared even, but then the Trinidad and Tobago champion settled, using her jab and quicker hands to steal the rounds one by one.
By the tenth, George appeared to need a knockout, but failed to land the decisive blow.
Possibly knowing that she was well ahead going into the final round, Ramnarine got on her "bike", sticking out the left jab and staying out of the reach of George's wild punches.
And once referee McKenzie Granger raised her hand in victory, there were wild celebrations among Ramnarine's fans.