Ramnarine ready for world title fight

MINI-FLYWEIGHT boxing champion Ria Ramnarine showed on Sunday night she has the ability to step up her bid for a shot at a world championship in the near future. And this has been promised by her trainer/manager Bharath Ramoutar after she pounded out a unanimous points decision against Adana Francis of the Siparia Boxing Gym at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain. “I think she is ready. We are getting a Puerto Rican opponent for Ria to fight in March. The championship bout could be in Trinidad,” said Ramoutar.

Using her right hand like a heat detecting missile, Ramnarine defied her inferior weight — giving up at least 15 pounds — to stage a ferocious attack on Francis, a performance which had her winning the six-rounder on all three scorecards. McKenzie Granger saw it 59-55; David Noel scored the bout 60-54 as did Stanley Chimmings. Referee was Tommy Thomas. Ramnarine now has a record of seven victories in ten professional contests with two defeats and one no-contest. Ramnarine, a qualified Plant Process Operator who now works in the office of Alan Thomas Construction Company in Chaguanas is also the holder of the Ibero-American Mini-Flyweight crown. Earlier this year she landed the support of Ma Pau Private Members Club, a gaming establishment in Woodbrook whose top officials including Public Relations Officer Sherry Persad, were present at ringside on Sunday cheering her on to victory.

Appearing on the second bout on the card, both women started cautiously and soon Ramnarine started her demolition act stunning Francis with a crashing right early in the second round. This established the pattern for the rest of the fight with Ramnarine landing her telling right hand to Francis’ head with regularity leaving the Kim Quashi trainer boxer dazed and confused when the fight was finally over. Ramoutar said he decided to let Ramnarine fight a heavier opponent in order to give her preparation for better rivals. “Remember she has beaten Francis twice. And if she couldn’t get past her again with a dominating performance then she really won’t be ready for any kind of international fight,” said Ramoutar.

He rated Darren Vidale, who also trains Ramnarine, as the best technical boxing coach in Trinidad and Tobago. Vidale, a bank employee has not been able to devote as much time to Ramnarine’s preparation for the Boxing Night card but is still heavily involved in her career. “We talk every night on the phone to exchange ideas and share suggestion on where we are and how to get her to the other stage, “ said Ramoutar. “We are ready to take her up and within the next few weeks plans will get underway for the world title bout,” said Ramoutar.