CHAGUANAS, Trinidad, CMC – Top Trinidad and Tobago flyweight boxer Ria Ramnarine battled to a unanimous points decision over young Colombian Paulina Cardosa in their non-title bout on Saturday night.

In her first bout since a controversial home victory last July over Venezuela’s Ana Fernandez, Ramnarine was unable to stop the spirited Cardosa as she had predicted, but still emerged a clear winner on all the judges’ cards.

The 31-year-old Ramnarine earned the judges’ approval 80-72, 80-72, and 79-74.

On a disappointing night at the Central Regional Indoor Sports Arena where two of the scheduled four bouts were cancelled, Ramnarine was aggressive against the 20-year-old Cardosa, who tried to nullify the local fighter by holding.

With the victory, Ramnarine improved her record to 13 wins (2 knockouts) against five losses, while Cardosa slipped to 14 wins (6 knockouts) against seven losses and four draws.

Six months ago at the same venue, Ramnarine was given a shocking split-decision victory over the superior Fernandez when the two battled for the World Boxing Association’s FedeLatin mini-flyweight title.

Even local Trinidadian fans expressed disagreement with the judges’ decision after seeing Fernandez have the better of their local star.

Two judges, Trinidad & Tobago’s George St Aude and Guyana’s Eion Jardine appallingly scored the bout for Ramnarine 87-86 and 87-85 respectively.

The third judge, Guyanese Trevor Arno, was the only judge scoring in favour of Fernandez, 87-85.

Declaring the scoring for the bout “controversial or irregular”, the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control (TTBBC) recommended a rematch and the WBA – after viewing a recording of the bout – concurred, but the rematch is yet to take place.