Boxing has been an integral part of my life

Ramnarine learnt that she was inducted into the IWBHF on Monday for her contributions in and out of the boxing ring.

The former national boxer said the sport has been instrumental in her life stating, “boxing has been such an integral part of my life for so long that I think for some people it is hard to think of Ria without thinking of boxing. Sometimes I wonder if it defines me...there is more to me than boxing however, boxing has taught me so many life lessons because it is so parallel to life.” She explained, “when you fall in the ring or you get knocked down you don’t have a choice but to get back up because if you don’t then you lose.

In life, it is the same way when you get knocked down. You would always have challenges, you really have to rise back up and face everything.” Boxing has opened up doors for Ramnarine. “I have learnt many, many lessons. In terms of how it has contributed to my life and where I am, I think because of my career in boxing I have been given so many opportunities.” Through the TT Olympic Committee Ramnarine was nominated for two international programmes, earning her masters degree through one of the programmes and an honours certificate in another coaching programme. Boxing has also paved the way for Ramnarine obtaining her current job as a gym instructor at the High Performance Unit in the Academy of Sport at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

“I always say the ring is the truth and a quote that my coach will drill into us. That square ring it really is the truth of life because there you wear your heart on your sleeves, there people either see you cry or they see you laugh, they see you get knock down and either see you get back up or they see you lie on the ground.”