(AUG 14) MELBOURNE – 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).