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(JUN 8) On May 27, 2005, in Trinidad, Ria Ramnarine fought Yvonne Caples for
the WIBA Mini-Flyweight World title. Ramnarine won the belt by a split
decision, but not without controversy.
Team Ramnarine contacted WBAN to speak out about the fight: They
said the following...If you'd
be kind enough to allow us some space on your
site to air Team Ramnarine's feelings and the facts we'd really appreciate
it. More so since certain newspapers and
websites failed to pay attention to what really happened or hear our side of
the story or maybe they were only too happy to try to defame and tarnish
Ria's reputation. There is a lot of professional jealousy in Trinidad and
Tobago and some people (newsmen) have political agendas. Simply put, Ria
Ramnarine was NOT supposed to be Trinidad &Tobago's first female world
champion.
One particular reporter seemed to be looking
at another fight because he saw her connecting with only one right hand. He
didn't see Ria's better conditioning, aggression or Caples swollen eye
after. So then the referee should be held accountable for the bruises on
Yvonne's face since it was only the three of them in the ring and if Ria
didn't hit Caples then it must have been the referee. Yes, the fight was
closely contested and Ria was given a standing eight
count in the second round but there were eight rounds
left in the fight. By all indications she was definitely not hurt, it was
more a case of bad feet position than anything else.
By the last three rounds the fight was looking close so from then on Ria was
instructed to pick up the pace, which she did and so won those last rounds
very convincingly. That was the deciding factor. Even throughout the
previous rounds Caples would start the round really good but then fade away
and so she (Ria) was able to steal some of the rounds from her. In the end
the local judge gave Caples the nod while the two international judges ruled
in Ria's favour. (Now that doesn't seem like a "home-cooked" decision). Why
is the press in particular and so-called members of the boxing fraternity
criticizing us for the judges decision? That should not be too hard to
guess... history was created and they had no part in it... they were unable
to accomplish anything even close to what Ria did. If they know so much
about how to produce a world champion or promote a world title fight, then
what were they waiting for? Since 1985 Trinidad had its last champion and no
other promoter, coach or boxer was able to do what Team Ramnarine did on
Saturday's night. No one asked for favours, we simply worked hard for our
victory.
But apparently Ria did nothing good according to
some people who write reviews about a sport they know
nothing of. Further more, only the criticism were
printed. Yet there are so many people who believe Ria
won the fight, but nothing about that is said.
Had she beaten Caples more, they would have said the
promoter brought in a nobody just so Ria could beat them
up, had Caples been knocked out they would have said in
Trinidadian terms, Ria got a "bobolee" to knock out. No
matter what our fighter did it would not have been good enough. There
were people who really wanted her to lose and the fact that she won hurts
them so much they can't bear it.
Ria has respect for Caples who is a good fighter. And it seems that Ria has
gained Yvonne's respect as well.
A rematch was offered and once Yvonne is ready we'll be ready. However we'd
like to fight her on neutral grounds since this would hopefully avoid any
controversy.
And just a message to all the critics, Team Ramnarine will only get
stronger. To the fans, family, training team and sponsors, ourheartfelt
thanks. Your support is greatly appreciated.
And thank you WBAN for keeping women's boxing highlighted and on the ball.
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