Ria to train at gym in USA for rematch with FernandezBy ZAID MOHAMMED Sports Editor Tuesday, November 24 2009
TRINIDAD and Tobago’s leading female boxer Ria Ramnarine will leave on Saturday for a three-week stint at a gym in Ft Lauderdale, USA in preparation for her much anticipated rematch against Venezuela’s Ana Fernandez on Boxing Day (December 26).
At a media conference hosted at the Sweet Lime Restaurant in Woodbrook yesterday, promoter Boxu Potts said the ten-round non-title fight will be staged at the Chaguanas Indoor Regional Auditorium at Saith Park and the card will be in memory of Giselle Salandy.
Potts said Ramnarine needed to travel overseas to sharpen her skills with an emphasis on sparring that will help her prove her doubters wrong on Boxing Day.
Last July 31, Ramnarine earned a controversial split decision against Fernandez for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Mini-Flyweight Championship.
And following calls for a rematch, Potts has agreed to stage the bout but this time with neutral referees as requested by the Fernandez camp who were demonstrably upset with the decision against their boxer earlier this year.
Yesterday Potts appealed to the business community to come forward and support Ramnarine and the card since he said she possesses the best chance to capture a world championship in the near future.
Should Ramnarine defeat Fernandez in the re-match on Boxing Day, Potts has guaranteed her a shot at the World Boxing Association title early next year.
He also appealed to the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control to honour their mandate of taking care of line expenses comprising airfare for visiting boxers, sanction fees, Board fees and hotel expenses.
Potts said the model that he engineered and executed for Salandy who won multiple international titles before her death last January in a vehicular accident will also work for Ramnarine but needs support from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.
He thanked the ministry for $75,000 given to Ramnarine for training expenses for her last fight although they promised $250,000. He said that Salandy was able to accomplish so much because of the financial support she received from Government.
Potts gave the assurance that the result of the December 26 bout will be the same — victory for Ramnarine but this time in a clear and emphatic manner.
“We have made changes allround. I will be in the corner this time. We have changed the sparring partners, changed her technique and devised a way to counter Fernandez’ style,” said Potts yesterday.
He said the Florida gym at which Ramnarine will complete her training has some of the best female boxers in the United States and she will benefit immensely from the stint.
Potts said Ramnarine’s longtime trainer/manager Barath Ramoutar will also travel with her to Ft Lauderdale and former world ranked lightweight boxer Ulric Johnson will also continue his training programme with the boxer in the US.
He said he was able to thrust Salandy into the world limelight by “screaming, crying and pounding the pavement” for assistance and it paid rich dividends for the boxer and the nation.
“Our athletes will give us national pride, nothing or nobody else. So I appeal to the Minister of Sport to do his job and assist the athletes with growth and development and not criticise them. His advisors must also give him unbiased information,” suggested Potts.
Apart from the main bout featuring Ramnarine and Fernandez, fans will also be treated to three female wrestling bouts, a first in Trinidad and Tobago.
Also expected to fight on the card are the two most exciting male boxers currently campaigning locally– Shawn Corbin bidding for the Fedelatin title and the up and coming Prince Isadore.
Also at yesterday’s media conference, Ma Pau Private Members Club officials Maxine Gonzales and Michael McComie, coach of their Pro League Football team presented Ramnarine with a $20,000 cheque to help cover the cost of her training stint in the US.
Gonzales said Ma Pau has been assisting Ramnarine maintain her position as the leading boxer in her weight division and will continue to support her in the future.
