Match made in heaven tonight

On paper it is a match made in heaven or at least an ideal bout promoted by Fineline Gym’s Bharat Ramoutar. Trinidad and Tobago’s Ria Ramnarine faces Deidre Hamaguchi of the United States of America in the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Iberian American Mini-Flyweight title fight tonight. Venue is the Central Regional Indoor Sport Facility, Chaguanas. The women boxers have both been training hard for the eight-round fight with both giving the assurance that they were ready. Ramnarine of Carapichaima, central Trinidad said yesterday her preparation equips her for the fast pace promised by their respective levels of fitness. Speaking at the official weigh-in, Ramnarine, the home-girl, revealed that she plans to set the initial pace of the match-up and is relatively fearless going into it with strong confidence in her ability to come up with the goods when the first bell is rung.

This assertion was backed up by Fineline’s specialist boxing coach Darren Vidale who said that in the past his boxer trained for fights which never materialised so after this drought she is entirely prepared for even the unexpected. To further set the fight up as a model bout, both Hamaguchi and Ramnarine weighed in at 105 pounds so skill will have to be the defining factor despite the slight height advantage which Ramnarine holds over her opponent. Lennox Blackmoore, Hama-guchi’s trainer and a former fighter who enjoyed proportionate success during his career, made it clear that in his capacity as a coach he will be keen on winning the fight and has prepared his boxer to do just that. US Ambassador in Port-of-Spain, Roy Austin, who was schoolmate of Hamaguchi is expected to be making an appearance at the fight with an entourage of Marines to lend his support.

WIBA representative Molly Boxhill saw the event as a part of the rebirth of women’s boxing in Trinidad and Tobago which continues with Giselle Salandy’s defence of her Ibero-American bantamweight title against Ana Pascal on August 16. The card begins at 7.30 pm and promises to provide great entertainment to boxing and kickboxing enthusiasts with four kickboxing matches and a Capoeira, Brazilian martial art demonstration forming the undercard. Admission is $40 General, $50 Ringside and tickets can be purchased at Fineline Gym, Constance and Algernon Streets, Montrose, Chaguanas, telephone 772-9640; Ma Pau Members Club 625-3355; VIP Health Fitness, Anva Plaza, Tunapuna; and Menz Club Barbers, Eastern Main Road, St. Augustine.