(MAR 20) Delays due to the Australian bushfires have fuelled champion boxer Susie Ramadan, giving her an extra three weeks to hone her skills for her title defence tonight (Friday March 20) against New Zealander Michelle Preston.

The Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super bantamweight championship fight and rematch was due to take place on February 26 but was postponed because the venue, the Knox Netball Centre in Ferntree Gully, was commandeered by the State Government as a possible bushfire relief centre.

Ramadan, 29, initially won the title in November in a majority decision over ten rounds when she fought Preston in only her seventh professional outing. The win gave her a number 12 position in the prestigious World Boxing Council (WBC) rankings grouping her among the world’s most formidable female fighters.

Ramadan’s trainer Ben Brizzi said he told her to take a break when promoter Murray Thompson gave him the news of the delay.

“I was a bit worried at first, I thought it would leave her a bit flat. I told her to take the rest of the week off and half an hour later I got a call from her and she said, ‘Can I come back to the gym tonight’. She didn’t miss a beat. I think it’s actually helped her. It’s given her more confidence. She’s had time to improve a few facets of her boxing,’ he said.

And with the fire danger passed boxing fans can expect to see the sparks fly between Ramadan and Preston, a UK born world kickboxing champion who has 15 years ring experience.

Judges awarded the first 10 round fight to Ramadan who had turned pro a year earlier after an impressive but short amateur career. The early rounds were close fought and Preston’s experience and height gave her an advantage. But by mid-fight, Ramadan’s timing was on song and Preston had trouble tagging her.

“When I heard she wanted a rematch I thought ‘bring it on’’’, said Ramadan. ‘I would have liked to fight someone different but a rematch will show how much I have improved. I’m expecting her in the early rounds to rush at me and try and knock me out. But that’s OK. Either way she’s going to tire herself out because I’m a good mover. And I’m good on the front foot as well.’’

Preston, 28, said yesterday she believed the November decision was fair but that she had underestimated Ramadan’s boxing skills and wanted a chance to redeem herself.

‘I flit between boxing and Thai boxing usually. But this time all I’ve done in preparation is boxing. All I’ve done is spar boxers and try to emulate the boxing style and make sure I don’t keep those old movement patterns in place. I’ve been working the basics and I’m feeling pretty confident and a lot fitter than I was last time,’ she said.