Susie Ramadan aiming to join Jeff Fenech as three-time world champion
By Anthony Cocks
Former IBF and WBC bantamweight champion Susie “Q” Ramadan 27-2 (12) has a word of warning for the current world titleholders: take me on at your peril.
The veteran IBF #1, WBA #3 and WBC #5 super flyweight contender is gunning for another world title shot in the 115-pound weight class. Victory will make Ramadan the first Australian three-time world champion since International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Fenech.
“I am here to put the division on notice,” says Ramadan, who returns to action on August 31 at the Croatian Club in Footscray against an opponent to be named.
“I am the mandatory contender for long-time IBF champion Debora Dionicius and I want the chance to prove I still belong at the top level. She’s never fought a boxer with my experience and ring smarts and I’m confident I would do a number on her, even in her home country of Argentina.
“Mexico’s Maribel Ramirez beat Linda Lecca for the WBA title in May. She already has nine losses on her record, so why not make it ten?
“WBC champion Guadalupe Martinez Guzman is another boxer I have in my sights. I have fought in Mexico before and would welcome the opportunity to beat her up in front of her own fans.”
Ramadan’s career has had its ups and downs with promotional and managerial disputes sidelining her for periods of time, but with the backing of trainer and promoter Sam Labruna she is finally in a position to realise her potential.
“I am hungry for the opportunity to fight for a world title again and it’s showing in the gym,” says Ramadan. “I am as fit as I’ve ever been and I consistently spar bigger, stronger blokes and more than hold my own.
“If any of the current world champions genuinely want to test themselves, I’m here and my phone is always on.”
Labruna has breathed new life into Ramadan’s career since she started training with the highly-regarded coach at his Keilor East gym in mid-2017.
“Hooking up with Sam has been a blessing,” says Ramadan. “He has a phenomenal boxing brain, he is calm and composed in the corner and knows how to get the best out of his boxers.”
Ramadan is back in the ring on Friday 31 August in an eight rounder on the undercard of the WBA Oceania junior middleweight title defence of Michael Zerafa 24-2 (13) against Jose Augustin Feria 23-6-1 (15). The Sam Labruna-promoted show at the Croatian Club in Footscray will also feature stablemate and former world title challenger Blake Caparello 27-3-1 (11) taking on New Zealand’s Lance Bryant 12-3 (5) in a cruiserweight special attraction. For those unable to attend, a live stream will be available at www.LiveBoxing.com.au
–ENDS–
PHOTOS: Images are attached with a further gallery available for download here or by copying and pasting the link goo.gl/Ug1E8T into a web browser. Credit must be given to Susie Ramadan for all photos used unless otherwise specified.
Media Contact:
Anthony Cocks – Publicist
M: 0435 920 510
About Susie “Q” Ramadan
Susie Ramadan is the only Australian female boxer to capture two of the most prestigious world titles in boxing, the WBC and IBF bantamweight championships. Born to Turkish-Albanian parents in Melbourne’s tough inner-western suburbs in 1979, Ramadan was a victim of bullying at school due to her slight physical stature and her family’s different cultural customs. The youngest of two sisters, it was her sibling Julie who dragged Susie along to soccer practice for the first time despite her initial protests. It was here that Susie first discovered her natural sporting prowess. Susie would excel at the ‘world game’, going on to play for the Australian national side in 2006 and winning her club’s Best and Fairest award for four consecutive years from 2004 to 2007. During this time, she also took up boxing for fitness but soon found a natural synergy with the individual competition the sport provided, parlaying the fitness soccer provided into in the ring success. By 2007 Susie was the Australian amateur champion. Turning professional in December of the same year, Susie racked up 19 wins and rocketed up the world rankings. In her 20th pro bout she was matched with 25-fight veteran Terri Lynn Cruz for the IBF bantamweight championship of the world in February 2011. Cruz was coming off a split decision loss to once-beaten Alesia Graf, who she had on the canvas before losing by the closest of margins in Germany. Susie dominated Cruz, losing just one round on all three judges’ scorecards to win her first world championship. Eight months later Susie would travel to Mexico to face Yasmin Rivas for the IBF title, losing by split decision in a nip-and-tuck battle that could have gone either way. Not one to cry over spilt milk, Susie bounced back with a split decision win over Alesia Graf four months later for the WBC International bantamweight title, a victory that led to a shot at WBC bantamweight world champion Usanakorn Thawilsuhannawang. The Thai southpaw, who had knocked out her previous six opponents, had no answer for Susie’s superior boxing skills with the Australian claiming her second world title by wide unanimous decision. This victory opened the door to a rematch with Rivas, again in Mexico. In another closely contested battle Susie lost out on points. Susie has won four straight fights since, all by TKO, placing her on the verge of an unprecedented third world championship.
Social Media
Twitter: @SusieQRamadan
Instagram: @susieqramadan
Facebook: @MizzSusieQ1
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Website: www.susieqramadan.com.au
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