Post by B. Singh on Jul 14, 2006 8:04:07 GMT -5
Ready to Rumble
Ramnarine defends world title
Ian Prescott iprescott@trinidadexpress.com
Friday, July 14th 2006
TERRENCE POOLE, manager of Guyanese challenger Stephanie George, has asked that there be a fair decision at the end of the 10-round Women's International Boxing Association (WIBA) mini flyweight world title fight, tonight at the Chaguanas Indoor Regional Sports Facility, in Chaguanas.
Poole, head coach of the Guyanese national amateur boxing team at the recent Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association (CABA) Championships, made his statement yesterday as the fighters had their official weigh-in at Ma Pau Members Club, Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook.
Ramnarine (9 wins, four defeats), who won the world title last year from American Yvonne Caples, officially weighed in at 105 pounds, while challenger George (five wins, five loses) was just a shade lighter at 104 pounds.
Both fighters expressed confidence in winning tonight's fight, the feature bout on a card that starts at 7:30 p.m.. Supporting the main bout will be kick-boxing, Myay Thai wrestling and San Shou, a demonstration sport at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Poole was brimming with confidence when predicting that his Guyanese fighter will be successful tonight, on her third attempt to land a world title. Previously, she had lost to both American Leona Brown and Canada-based Trinidadian Lisa "Bad News" Brown while vying to be a world champion.
"As you know this is her (Stephanie George) third attempt to win a world title. She failed twice, but she has made it known to me that she isn't going to fail again. So, she is here to take this one," Poole declared.
Like George, Ramnarine is 28 and very confident. Having prepared well, she said there are no last-minute jitters and she is confident of a successful first defence before her fans.
"I feel quite good," Ramnarine said. "I am extremely relaxed and looking forward to fighting."
At the end of tonight's fight, there will be a special presentation made by brothers Carlton and Francis Adams. They will present tonight's winner with a trophy in honour of late fighter Ancil "Baba' Adams, who passed away three years ago.
TRINIDAD AND TOAGO'S NEWSDAY
Ria defends boxing belt tonight
Friday, July 14 2006
Ria Ramnarine VS Stephanie George.
THE STAGE is set for the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Mini Flyweight title fight holder Ria Ramnarine and Guyana’s Stephanie George tonight. The ten-rounder will be staged at the Central Regional Indoor Auditorium at Saith Park, Chaguanas.
Melchior Taylor, president of Trinidad and Tobago’s Boxing Board of Control (TTBBC) said the main bout will follow a series of kick-boxing, San Shou and Muay Thai events from 8 pm.
San Shou will be a demonstration sport at the 2008 Beijing Olympics while Muay Thai is a form of fighting that is similar to wrestling. Yesterday at the weigh-in ceremony at the Ma Pau Private Members Club,Woodbrook, Ramnarine confirmed a one-pound weight advantage of 105.
She has been inactive for more than a year.
George was at 104 pounds on the eve of the big contest. She has a height and reach advantage. Ramnarine was last in the ring in her defeat of American Yvonne Capels — a controversial decision in March last year at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo. Since then she has made two attempts to defend the crown but both failed to come off.
The first was against American Marianne Chubirka but that fight scheduled for Chaguanas earlier this year was called off at the last moment over a dispute about the weight of the gloves.
Ramnarine also travelled to London for a fight in Hungary but visa problems prevented her from reaching her destination.
However, she has has been training hard at the Fine Line Club in Montrose, Chaguanas and is set to take on the Guyanese challenger.
It will will be George’s third attempt at a world title belt. She was beaten in her last bout against Lisa “Bad News” Brown, a Trinidad and Tobago-born Canadian citizen who holds the world championship.
George was also defeated by Trinidadian Vicky Boodram in a non-title fight at the Jean Pierre Complex on September 23 2005.
Yesterday George said she will have to work twice as hard for a win being away from her native Guyana.
Sherry Persad, Ma Pau’s Public Relations Officer said the private members club stands firmly behind Ramnarine whose preparation it has been assisting.
She said its involvement in women’s boxing is indicative of its support of the young people in Trinidad and Tobago.
Persad said Ma Pau is extremely proud to sponsor Ramnarine — who has never disappointed it since the club came on board.
Ramnarine will receive $20,000 win, lose or draw tonight while her challenger will pocket $11,000.
Erva Bruno, chairperson of the WIBA and president of the newly formed Women’s Boxing Trinidad and Tobago (WBTT) said the bout will kick-start the development of women’s boxing locally.
She revealed that (WBTT) will be responsible for providing facts about women boxers among other useful information.
Bruno also announced that the WBTT will be working toward the formation of a Caribbean International Women’s Boxing Association Championship (CIWBAC) soon.