The lady is a fighter

There’s a Filipina campaigning as a professional fighter in the US and she’s as, pardon the expression, mean as a bitch. Sarah Ann Rama, 29, is feisty, fiery, and ferocious.

There is no record of any other Filipina ever fighting as a pro anywhere in the world. So Rama is the first of her kind. Her hometown is listed as Cebu City by "Flash," a US boxing results chronicle. She is based in Paris, Arkansas.

Rama fights with her long, black hair braided into a pony tail. Nicknamed "Sweet Pea," she usually wears a black bare-midriff top, concealing her chest protector, and golden trunks with the name "Sarah" emblazoned on the waist band in bold letters.

The Rama family is well-known in Cebu. Showbiz figure Annabelle Rama is Ruffa Gutierrez’ mother while Michael Rama is Cebu City’s vice mayor.

Unfortunately, Rama’s reputation is far from wholesome as a fighter. Chris Cozzone, writing in the New Mexico Boxing website, described Rama as "aggressive (and) a nasty fighter (who uses) elbows, rabbit punches, head butts—you name it, she (does) it."

Rama turned pro in 1999 as a strawweight (97 to 102 pounds) and was winless in her first nine outings, prompting the Women’s Boxing Archive Network (WBAN) to suggest for her "to reevaluate why she is in boxing."

But after a spate of bad luck, Rama–who initially fought as Sarah Jones, using her first husband’s surname, and is now known as Sarah Goodson, using her second husband’s surname–streaked to four straight wins, two by knockout over the same opponent Christal Parker.

Because of the dearth of competition, Rama has fought several opponents repeatedly. For instance, she has lost four bouts to Nina Ahlin and bowed to Deanna Nance thrice.

In March last year, Rama scored a four-round decision over Stephanie Dobbs in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Two months later, she figured in an exhibition in Little Rock and trounced Melissa Shaffer.

Despite a mediocre record of 6-12 with two knockouts and a no-contest, Rama was picked to battle Canadian amateur star Vaia Zaganas for the vacant International Female Boxers Association (IFBA) strawweight title in Ignacio, Colorado, last June.

Sue Fox of WBAN said Rama’s choice triggered a flood of negative comments from fans who feared a mismatch. But Rama stood up to the criticism, saying: "I want this belt more than anything. I would be very proud to hold such a belt (and) I can assure you that I will give the very best that I have. I know that I have a ‘shitty’ record but I have always fought bigger and heavier fighters and that has been the problem."

Zaganas said just because Rama’s record isn’t the best, it didn’t mean she’s a lousy fighter. "She has fought tough competition," noted Zaganas.

But alas, the fight turned out to be a mismatch as expected. Rama was clearly not in Zaganas’ class. She was slapped a point deduction for excessive holding in the third round by referee Russell Mora and it seemed like she was clueless on how to fight Zaganas.

"Goodson (Rama) was no match although her dirty tactics had her looking for a way to equalize things," wrote Cozzone. "In the eighth, she lost another point for wrestling tactics. Ticked off at the referee, she spat out her mouthpiece, said something spiteful to Mora and stormed out of the ring." Rama left without bothering to congratulate her Canadian tormentor.

Mora later said Rama could use lessons on how to throw punches. "She needs to learn to turn her punches," he noted.

Zaganas was declared the new IFBA champion on a technical knockout at 0:36 of the eighth. The fight was the main event of a Sky Ute Casino card in Ignacio.

Rama hasn’t fought since her infamous disappearing act seven months ago. In the latest IFBA ratings, no single contender is listed in the strawweight division, leaving Zaganas all alone at the top of an otherwise empty ladder.

The IFBA was organized in 1997 "to promote distaff species boxing throughout the world as a genuine, professional and athletic competition." IFBA title fights have been shown on pay-per-view, ESPN2, USSB, and USA Tuesday Night Fights but never on free-to-air TV.

A primary goal of the IFBA is to lobby for the inclusion of female boxing in the Olympics. It is also batting for the addition of women in the Boxing Hall of Fame.

"The sport of female boxing is centuries old," noted the IFBA. "It is a legitimate and competitive sport (that) dates back to 1722 when British fighter Elizabeth Wilkinson entered the ring. The momentum built in 1995 and 1996 and exploded in the world of pugilism in 1997. In the beginning, boxing aficionados raised their eyebrows and questioned the legitimacy of females in fistic competitions. Today, even our most weathered, die-hard male counterparts are respectfully tipping their hats to women who have laced on the leather and joined them in the ring."

IFBA title fights are scheduled for 10 rounds. Each round runs for two minutes. The rules stipulate a mandatory eight-count for each knockdown, no standing count, no three-knockdown limit, and no fighter can be saved by the bell in any round. There are 18 weight categories in the IFBA from junior strawweight (96 pounds and below) to heavyweight (over 190 pounds).

Among the prominent women fighters are Muhammad Ali’s daughter Laila, Joe Frazier’s daughter Jackie, George Foreman’s daughter Freeda, Robert Duran’s daughter Irichelle, Cristy (The Coal Miner’s Daughter) Martin, Playboy model Mia St. John and Lucia Rjiker.

As for Rama, there’s little information on her family roots in Cebu. If anyone–friend or relative or whoever–has information about her, please contact The Star’s sports section at 5277901 or send an e-mail to [email protected] so readers may know more about the first Filipina prizefighter in history.