Susie Q Ramadan (@SusieQRamadan) grew up somewhat as an outsider in Australia following her family’s Turkish and Albanian beliefs. She started off playing soccer to stay out of trouble and quickly became a star. She eventually went on to boxing and made history in Australian boxing by winning four major titles and she is still making history. Susie recently took time out of her busy schedule to do some Q and A with us at Tha Boxing Voice and she opened up to us.
Julio Garcia: Hello Susie, how are you doing today?
Susie Q Ramadan: I’m great thank you
JG: At what age did you first start boxing?
SR: I started at a very young age with my male cousins but nothing serious growing up due to other interests at the time.
JG: How did you know that this sport was for you?
SR: In the back of my mind I always knew this sport was for me but as I said I had other interests growing up so I never tapped into it until later in my years.
JG: Did you dream of being a professional while growing up or did you have a different profession in mind?
SR: I always dreamt to succeed in something in life but never knew what it would be. I have always been a hard worker in any path I chose to succeed in but I always believed if that’s where my destiny is to be, it will be. When I started boxing my dream was to fight in the Olympics but never thought they would accept women until after I turned professional, so when I turned professional my dream was to win a world title.
JG: You have done a lot for boxing in Australia, especially for women’s boxing, but what has boxing done for you?
SR: Boxing has done a lot for me in many ways inside and outside the ring. It has built my confidence, discipline, fitness etc. It changed my life to a good pathway and has put me in a position to help others change their life also which is a blessing.
JG: How do you view yourself as a fighter?
SR: Smart boxer
JG: Taking a look at your career; your debut happened at the end of 2007. What was going through your head leading up to the fight to the moment you got into the ring?
SR: Leading up to the fight I always go into an indescribable zone, visualise and focus on the job ahead. That being my 1st professional fight is when you’re most nervous and being a female, I wanted to put on a greater show then the men for everyone so they can showcase me again.
JG: You were undefeated for 22 fights and your one defeat was highly controversial. What went through your head when the decision was announced?
SR: Disappointment, when you work so hard & knowing that you won is very hard to take in at the time. The disappointment after it all can also be hard to deal with, so many thoughts run through your head but it’s all a matter of staying head strong & moving on to the next challenge.
JG: That was the only time in your professional career fighting outside Australia; did it discourage you from fighting away from home?
SR: It did not discourage me fighting away from home; it taught me a lot, when you fight outside your home you have to be ready for all sorts of things because they will try anything to get you off your game plan. Things can be unfair at times but you take it on the chin and move on.
JG: Where in the world would you like to fight?
SR: I would love to fight on a big undercard in the states.
JG: You are very accomplished having held 4 world titles, what would be your next goal in boxing?
SR: My next goal is defending my WBC World bantamweight title on July 25th
JG: Is there an opponent in your division or the next division up/down that you would love to face?
SR: There are a couple of girls in my division that I would love to face as well as the next division down.
JG: I see on BoxRec that you have a fight scheduled for the 25th of July. Is there any information you can give us about that bout?
SR: July 25th is my Mandatory defence; my team are working with the WBC in securing the mandatory opponent. It is scheduled to be held at the Melbourne pavilion in Australia.
JG: What has been the biggest obstacle in your career thus far?
SR: Being a female in a male dominant sport.
JG: What has been the key to your success thus far?
SR: My mental strength.
JG: Do you have a final message for boxing fans around the world?
SR: Being a female in a male dominant sport is the most challenging of all, so I would like to thank everyone who supports me in my career & women’s boxing altogether. I love all my fan’s around the world as they are also the motivational key to overcoming this challenge & for that I have so much respect for my fans.
JG: Thank you and best of luck to you in your future.
