Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has taken a huge burden off the shoulders of the promoters for the upcoming bout between World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim champion T&T’s Ria Ramnarine and WBA minimum weight champion Etsuko Tada of Japan set for Saturday night at the Jean Pierre Complex.

Sports Minister Gary Hunt presented a cheque to Ramnarine to the tune of $619,512 at a simple ceremony at the Ministry’s conference room, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, yesterday.

“This is a world title fight being held in Trinidad, and it is more expensive than the other fights, so we had to put more in to help the promoters. When you look at the big picture this is a small investment,” said Hunt.

The sum covers Ramnarine’s preparation expenses, the promotion of the fight as well as purses for the boxers.

At the brief ceremony, Corporate Secretary of the TT Boxing Board of Control Erva Bruno said the Board was pleased that is has been able to facilitate the large number of fights in country in the recent past and hopes the trend continues to make this country the boxing hub of the Caribbean.

  The Honourable Gary Hunt, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs in his address reminded the audience that Ria is the number one woman boxer in the country and as such deserves the government’s support to attain the world titles at stake come Saturday.
Minister Hunt noted that this contribution was a symbol of government’s commitment to the development of the sport and of the athletes involved.

Photo: Caption
(From Left) Barath Ramoutar head coach, World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim champion Ria Ramnarine, promoter Giovanni Potts and Corporate secretary of the T&T Boxing Board of Control Erva Bruno pose with the $619,512 cheque presented to Ramnarine by the Ministry of Sport, at the Ministry’s Conference Room yesterday.