Stakes higher for clash between Ria, JapaneseBy WALTER ALIBEY Friday, March 12 2010
THE STAKES have soared for the long awaited fight between Trinidad and Tobago’s Ria Ramnarine and Etsuko Tada of Japan.
Yesterday Giovanni Potts, the son of top promoter and international match-maker Boxu Potts made the announcement at a media conference at the Sweet Lime Restaurant in Woodbrook.
Giovanni is Trinidad and Tobago’s latest and youngest professional boxing promoter who has taken over the reins from his experienced father.
He said yesterday that the vacant WIBA Super Title will be at stake when the fighters clash on April 24 at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya.
This belt was added to the WBA Mini Flyweight World Title up for grabs in the ten-rounder. Young Potts said he wants to put on a show that everyone will remember. He told the media that the deal to have the WIBA Super Title added for the showdown was negotiated and agreed to only on Wednesday.
The Super Title will be a first time shot among the Women and will be a historic moment in TT.
Potts Senior explained that the Super Title is considered the ultimate title among boxers and targets great champions. It allows boxers, rated down the ladder, an opportunity for title fights while the super champion is afforded needed rest.
The elder Potts said he welcomed the Super Title here in Trinidad and Tobago as it will help to promote the sport among women especially locally, regionally and internationally.
Meanwhile Ramnarine is currently in a Miami gym preparing for the fight against the Japanese boxer who has a record of six wins, including two knock-outs and one draw in her tally of seven fights.
According to Giovanni, Ramnarine has been training with some of the best Southpaw fighters in the world, as Tada is a southpaw. He gave the assurance that fans will see Ramnarine at her best against Tada.
He said there will be a clash of two cultures — that of Trinidad and Tobago and Asia.
Giovanni said he has already engaged the attention of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the Japan Ambassador to get involved in the promotion of the contest.
He promised to announce the budget for the card at a later date, explaining that the inclusion of the Super Title has changed the original estimates.
Giovanni also expressed concerns about the recently implemented policy by the Brian Lewis-led Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board (TTBB) which agreed to provide funding for up to 25 percent of boxing cards.
In a newspaper story yesterday the boxing board stated that local promoters have all agreed to work with the policy when the board explained it to them at a recent meeting. But yesterday the senior Potts made it clear that he will not support such a policy.
According to the elder Potts, his model is a successful one that has made Giselle Salandy into a world record breaker in the sport and who has flown the TT flag with pride.
He described the new policy as one that will limit his funding and hamper the production of top boxers. Potts senior pointed out also that it is the same model that has shaped Ria Ramnarine to the top of the ladder.
“Ria will perform so good that the crowd will be impressed and will want more. What we will see is a tactical fight by Ramnarine,” said Potts who promised to be in the boxer’s corner on fight night.
He also called on boxing board president Brian Lewis and president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ABATT) Cecil Forde to also rethink their positions on Pro-Am boxing cards in TT.
The feature bout on the April 24 card will have on the undercard Trinidad and Tobago-based Guyanese Shawn Corbin, promising young professional Princely Isidore, female sensation Tanzee Daniel and the experienced Kevin Placide who is a former world title-holder.
