Susie Ramadan discusses comeback, motivation for third title tilt

 
FORMER IBF and WBC titleholder Susie Ramadan is determined to capture an elusive third world title.

 
The 36-year-old Preston resident will break an eighteen month absence from the ring on Saturday night when she returns against seasoned Thai Hongfah Tor Buamas at the Warnambool Stadium in regional Victoria.

 
Ramadan (23-2, 8 KOs) will make her return under the guidance of head trainer Dave Hall of Burn Boxing and Fitness. With her looming comeback bout now only days away, Ramadan is excited to shake off any ring rust.

 
“It’s been a long time, but I’ve still been training,” said Ramadan in an interview with Aus-Boxing.

 
“It’s really hard being a female fighter trying to get opponents and getting fights,”

 
“It just seems that some promoters aren’t so keen in getting the girls on shows. But it’s just great someone like Lynden Hosking who is willing to put on shows and help the girls out. It’s been frustrating but I’ve been patient,”

 
“I just needed some time away from the boxing industry for a bit,” she continued.

 
“But I was still training and I was still trying to line a up a fight and I finally have got one now.”

 
Despite her success at bantamweight, the former two-time bantamweight champion will test the waters at super flyweight. When asked about the motive behind the drop in weight, Ramadan was candid in her answer.

 
“Right now I just want another shot at a title. This time, in a different weight division. I’m moving down to super flyweight now. I feel there might be more opportunities at that weight, because at bantamweight it’s been hard.”

 
“I felt that when I won the WBC bantamweight title – the doors would open and more opportunities would eventually come up – but unfortunately they didn’t. So it feels like I didn’t have that chance to defend my title.”

 
“There are some good fighters in both divisions. A fight I’d just love is with Ava Knight. She’s training out of the Mayweather Gym. Fighting on a Mayweather Promotions card would be awesome.”

 
Ramadan’s lone career blemishes have come at the hands on long-time rival Yazmin Rivas, who handed the Australian the only losses of her career in 2014 and 2011. If Ramadan gets her way, a trilogy could be on the cards.

 
“I’d also love to have a third fight with Yasmin Rivas,” she added. “I’ve learnt a lot from our fights,”

 
“The first time around it was a clear win by me and the second time around it could have gone either way I feel. But I feel I didn’t do enough. Mexico is tough. But to fight again somewhere neutral would be awesome,”

 
“I’d still go back to Mexico a third time though. Who knows, it could be third time lucky maybe,”

 
One fight Ramadan was quick to rule out is a domestic clash with Brisbane’s Shannon O’Connell. The Melburnian had several valid reasons for not wanting a fight with O’Connell, most notably the difference in weight.

 
“We’ve always been in different weight divisions,” explained Ramadan. “I don’t know how people actually thought we were going to fight. I just don’t think she would be able to get down to bantamweight,”

 
“BoxRec have me down as fighting at super bantamweight, so maybe people assume that I’m bigger than what I am. We were supposed to have an exhibition bout and she didn’t make the weight for that,”

 
“But since then we all went over to America myself, Shannon and Lynden to see Mayweather’s fight and also did some training over there in Gleasons Gym. She wants a shot at title and I want a shot at a title.”

 
“I have girls I want to fight in my division and I’m sure she has girls she wants to fight in her division. It works better that way, if we fight each other what are we going to gain out of it realistically?”

 
“Then what happens next? We should chase the world not each other.”

 
Ramadan admits that she knows little about her opponent on Saturday night. But with that said, there is no doubt in her mind that she is more motivated to perform this weekend than she has been in many years.

 
“When a fighter says they are hungry to fight, I’m actually starving,” she concluded.

 
“I don’t know a lot about my opponent but it’s going to be interesting to get back in there. I still feel as though because of all the time I’ve had off people may think I’ve retired or something. But I feel better than ever.”

 
“I feel sharper, faster and stronger. I’ve never been badly hurt. This fight will be a good test for me and it will be good to get the ring rust out. I definitely want another world title and I want it at super flyweight.”

 
 
Photo: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz