Ramnarine: I’ll be better next year

TRINIDAD and Tobago woman boxer/kickboxer Ria Ramnarine is determined to be better prepared for her world title rematch in July next year. Beaten by the experienced Erin Linley in their five-round original WIKBA Professional World Flyweight Muay Thai title bout at the Sun Centre, Calgary, Canada, recently Ramnarine admitted being stunned by her opponents’ knee strikes to the body which tested her mettle. But the determined Ramnarine who subsisted on kickboxing and boxing in preparation for the bout never gave up. A world-rated woman boxer and low-kick kickboxer, Ramnarine described the fight as “a learning experience” and was adamant she would be better in next year’s fight.

So well did Ramnarine acquit herself during the bout, WIKBA Trinidad and Tobago president Martin McLashie expressed pleasure in having her represent this country as the first woman to fight at that level. McLashie had high hopes that experience and home advantage would prove integral in securing a victory for Ramnarine. Ramnarine’s manager and coach Barath Ramoutar said the fight lifted  her stature in the discipline, and she will continue to fight at this level. The fight was given main event status after the WKA Professional North American Welterweight Muay Thai title fight between Trevor “TnT” Samandych and Steele was cancelled. Having garnered tremendous buzz in the weeks before, the fight was billed as a contest between styles, that is boxing against Muay Thai, and with both fighters having world ratings at their respective ends it always promised to be a true match of skill and wit.

Linley set the pace with her knees restricting Ramnarine to blocking, a tactic she revealed after the fight to keep Ramnarine busy. she saw her as a threat and respected her in the ring. Ramnarine stuck to her guns attempting to wear Linley down but her opponent was patient to this and kept up her pressure, Ramnarine targetted the midsection but could not catch her as she kept up a steady pace between bells. Both fighters remained focused throughout the match up with Linley trying hard in the final two rounds to end the bout by knock out and did in fact stun her opponent with  knee strikes to the body. But Ramnarine kept up her characteristic rebound resilience to see the fight through, the title was Linley’s second. After the fight the Trinidad and Tobago woman boxer was commended for her performance by promoter Mike Miles who said: “Ria is one tough athlete and she took a lot of punishment. I say that with respect.”