Jamaica's Ashley hunts vacant WBC title

Leroy Brown, Gleaner Writer

After an agonising wait for another world title fight, Jamaica's Alicia Ashley is all set to climb into the ring on Saturday night, to fight Texan Christina Ruiz for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title. The fight will be over 10 rounds and will take place at Hunt's Point, the Bronx, New York, United States.

Ashley, who is a former International Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion, has been the No. 1 contender for the WBC crown for a long time, but has been unable to work out a deal with a qualified opponent.

She had cemented her right to a shot at the vacant title in January with a good victory on points over Crystal Hoy from Las Vegas. Since that time, negotiations have been taking place and a title fight in Mexico seemed possible two months ago. Those negotiations fell through, however, and a deal for Saturday's fight was only finalised recently.

Ashley, who has a 16-9-1 record, has been fighting as a professional since 1999 and is recognised as one of the top female boxers in the world. Her opponent, Ruiz, has a modest 6-3-1 record, but four of her victories have been knockouts. In her last fight, she scored a third- round knockout victory over undefeated Emily Klinefelter.

Ashley, whose nickname is 'Slick', is a pure boxer and told The Gleaner that her aim when she enters the ring is "to hit and not be hit".

"To me, boxing is the 'sweet science', and that is what I take into the ring with me at all times," she added. She also said that she is happy that the fight will be taking place in New York where she lives, and is sure that the support of the hometown fans will be an asset to her.

It is expected to be a battle of contrasting styles, as Ruiz likes to fight at close range and destroy her opponent with her power punching. She will have her work cut out for her, however, as Ashley plans to be a moving target.