Gloves confusion as title fight called off

The weight of the gloves caused the problem just moments before the start of the fight, and despite attempts by members of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board (TTBB) to resolve the problem, the Americans failed to give in.

Those who worked to get the fight going included Melchior Taylor, president of the TT Boxing Board of Control and secretary Molly Boxill, as well as American Ryan Wissow, the president of the WIBA.

Despite their intervention the managers of both boxers failed to come to an agreement which would have allowed the contest to take place.

The disagreement began under strange circumstances when the American, who had already been given the opportunity to fight despite being well over the required weight of 105 pounds complained about the boxing gloves which she said were heavier than ususal.

Her decision to not fight left many confused because she would have held the definite advantage, since she was six pounds heavier and possibly stronger than Ramnarine.

Tommy Thomas, the man who had the assignment of refereeing the bout, later confirmed the weight of the gloves to be eight ounces when it was placed on a scale.

By then Ramnarine’s manager Barath Ramoutar had become annoyed with the constant indecision by the American fighter who was being assisted by her coach Norman Wilson.

Ramoutar then decided not to pursue the fight claiming that Ramnarine would have been at a distinct psychological disadvantage because of the hesitation.

He promised however that his fighter will be in action next month against a more credible opponent.

Boxing Board chairman Taylor said he would be communicating with the American authorities about Chubirka’s antics on Saturday night and that she will not be allowed to fight in Trinidad and Tobago again.

Ramnarine was close to tears in the dressing room when she got the final word that the fight had been called off.

The Carapichaima lass said she had made a lot of sacrifices to make the fight possible and pointed out she had not fought in a long time and was eager to get back into the ring.

"All I wanted to do was fight. I didn’t care about the weight of the gloves or the weight of Chubirka, all I wanted to do is fight," Rannarine said.

Ramnarine is the present WIBA title holder after she demolished another American, Yvonne Capels earlier this year.

Despite the hiccup boxing fans who turned up in Chaguanas were still treated with several exciting bouts which included Trinidad and Tobago boxers against Guyanese opponents, which the visitors lost by three fights to two.

In the opening bout Trinidadian Aaron Cumberbatch could not handle the aggression of his Guyanese opponent Dexter Margus in the four-round encounter, and despite hometown support Cumberbatch was still edged out 28-29.

Another local boy, Aaron Prince had the crowd standing with a good display against Jermain King in the second fight of the night.

Prince showed the power in offence and had the eye to duck and elude the many punches that were thrown at him in the contest winning the fight on a comfortable decision by the judges 27-14. Aaron Hassette, a member of the Defence Force also triumphed on the night. His opponent was Hendrick Pelfwijk whom he defeated 18-14 for the second home victory.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Kurt Blackwell also sent the country’s preparation for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games later this month into full swing when he clobbered Joel Mc Rae 14-11 much to delight of his fans.

But Denzil Salazar surrendered in the last amateur fight of the night to Guyanese Fitzroy Richardson 15-9.

Salazar who defeated his opponent in an earlier match-up might have taken his opponent lightly and faltered after the allotted four rounds.