TOP: Venezuelan Ana Fernandez, right, delivers a right hook to T&T’s Ria Ramnarine during their controversial fight at the Chaguanas Indoor Arena on July 31. PHOTO: ANTHONY HARRIS

ABOVE: Boxing promoter Boxu Potts addresses the media during a press conference at Mau Pau Restaurant on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, yesterday. PHOTO: NICHOLAS CLARKE.

Venezuelan boxer Ana Fernandez has pulled out of her scheduled rematch against WBA female minimumweight champion Ria Ramnarine which was to take place in Saith Park, Chaguanas, on December 26. This was announced by Ramnarine’s promoter Boxu Potts during a news conference at Ma Pau Restaurant on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, yesterday. The rematch had been ordered by the WBA in response to the controversial split-decision against Fernandez after the two fighters’ last bout at the same venue on July 31.

According to Potts, Fernandez is afraid to get back into the ring with Ramnarine, who had to be hospitalised following the July bout. “I think Fernandez is chickening out of this fight,” he said. “She is gun-shy and is looking for excuses. “People might say that she beat Ria but it was a tough, gruelling fight in which Ria stood her ground.” Fernandez will be replaced by 20-year-old Colombian fighter Paulina Cardona. Potts said the fight would be a good warm up for Ramnarine’s WBA title match against Mexico’s Ibeth Zamora in March. Zamora defeated Fernandez in Panama City on September 5.

Potts is currently negotiating for the fight to take place in T&T but said he was disappointed in the Ministry of Sport for refusing to grant the fighters the use of the Hasely Crawford Stadium. He stated he will be trying to assume a leadership position in local boxing since those currently in charge were “destroying” the sport. “There is a serious Mafia that is trying to destroy boxing in T&T,” he said. “I use the word Mafia because boxing needs a godfather and I am going to make myself the godfather of boxing in T&T. The sport must be saved.

“I’m saying to the Minister of Sport (Gary Hunt) that since you came into office, I have tried to help you develop the sport and I have been met with a stone wall on every occasion. You need to work with us. I want to advise you on the way for more Giselle Salandys. You are here to help us in the development of boxing, not to destroy boxing. “Let us put our petty personal differences aside. I am not attacking you. I’m on the Government’s side.” Potts also said that he would be making some “serious revelations as to the present state of boxing” tomorrow at the same venue.