Susie Ramadan – “I’ve wanted this rematch for so long”

 
IN recent times, the story of former two-time bantamweight world champion Susie Ramadan has been one of frustration. Having been booked to fight at least a half dozen times over the past two years, Ramadan has had fight after fight fall through.

 
But in a handful of weeks this changes, as Ramadan (23-1, 8 KOs) will be given a chance to not only regain her coveted WBC womens bantamweight title, but also avenge the only loss of her professional career when she challenges Yazmin Rivas (30-8, 9 KOs) in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico on October 25th.

 
“I have been constantly training so hard to prepare for fights, then having them fall through due to promotional reasons has been mentally and physically challenging,” said Ramadan in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing.

 
“I have managed to mentally control all these challenges and emotions in order to continue to chase my goals. During this time I have also gained a lot because I’ve been training with my trainer Lim Jeka, where I have learnt so much, improved in many ways and I look forward to showcasing it on October 25th.”

 
Ramadan, 35, who has not fought since her title-winning effort against Usanakorn Kokietgym in 2012, has battled hard to remain relevant. In the time that has passed since she lifted her second world title, female boxers in Australia have found success, most notably Diana Prazak, Shannon O’Connell and Arlene Blencowe.

 
However, Ramadan is hoping to return to the top of that list with a satisfying victory over Rivas.

 
Despite her inactivity, Ramadan believes she is a better fighter since her first fight with Rivas, citing a change of trainer as well her general experience in fights since as to why she will return to Australia with the glamourous green belt around her waist.

 
“Being a female in a male dominated sport is hard enough, but as for being inactive after winning the best title in boxing it has been the hardest of all.” Ramadan explained. “I learnt a lot in my first fight with Rivas.”

 
“The first fight was also very first time I had travelled overseas to fight, so it was all new to me. I learnt that my preparation wasn’t right as it is a high altitude place, and altitude training was not included in my training at the time. When fighting abroad they will try any trick in the book to get you off your game plan, which I wasn’t aware of that back then.”

 
“I also learnt to bring food with me incase I get stuck in the steaming change rooms again for several hours before the fight.”

 
In spite of the aforementioned, Ramadan has no problems travelling to Mexico to fight Rivas – or anywhere for that matter – as she believes her preparation will hold her in good stead come fight night.

 
“I don’t have any concerns about travelling to Mexico, or to any other country in the world, as the first experience I had was a good gauge on what to expect when fighting abroad,” she continued. “It’s all about how you prepare mentally and physically during training camp, travelling and arrival.”

 
If she is successful in dethroning Rivas, Ramadan was clear in her response if she thought that a win in the rematch would be the biggest of her career.

 
“I do consider this to be the biggest fight of my career – and potential win of my career too – because it is my only loss on my record,” Ramadan said in closing. “I’ve wanted this rematch for so long.”

 
“It has been an easy road for Rivas but a hard road for myself so winning this fight means more to me – not only for myself – but for my team, my country, family, friends and all my loyal supporters.”

 
 
Photo: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz