British-Somali boxer Ramla Ali has won her first world championship titles after defeating American fighter Mikiah Kreps by split decision in Texas, marking a historic milestone in her boxing career.
ARLINGTON (Somali Report) — British-Somali boxer Ramla Ali has won her first world championship titles at the age of 37, defeating American fighter Mikiah Kreps by split decision in a closely contested bout in Arlington, Texas.
Ali secured the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight titles after judges awarded her victory following 10 rounds at the College Park Center on Sunday.
Two judges scored the fight 97-92 and 96-93 in Ali's favour, while the third gave Kreps a 98-91 victory, producing a divided verdict that sparked debate over the outcome.
The result marked a major milestone in the career of Ali, who has spent years pursuing a world championship after establishing herself as one of Britain's most prominent female boxers.
The 37-year-old made an important breakthrough in the third round, knocking Kreps down with a powerful right hand. The American recovered and mounted a strong response, putting Ali under sustained pressure during the remainder of the contest.
Official punch statistics showed Kreps landed 115 punches compared with Ali's 78. The American also connected with 91 power punches, against 70 for the British-Somali fighter.
Despite those figures, the judges' decision handed Ali the two vacant world titles, making her a champion under both the WBO and IBF.
The announcement prompted criticism from some boxing observers, with veteran promoter Lou DiBella publicly arguing that Kreps had done enough to win.
However, Ali celebrated an emotional victory inside the ring, dropping to her knees after the result was announced before embracing her opponent.
"I want to share this victory with you because you pushed me for 10 rounds," Ali told Kreps, acknowledging the American's challenge.
Kreps responded by expressing respect for her opponent, with the two fighters exchanging an embrace after the announcement.
From Somali refugee to Olympic history
Born in Somalia, Ali fled the country's civil war with her family in 1992 before settling in London as a refugee. She took up boxing as a teenager in east London and gradually built a career that would take her onto the international stage.
She made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, becoming the first boxer to represent Somalia at the Olympic Games.
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Ali also became the first Muslim woman to win an English amateur boxing title, breaking barriers in a sport where women from minority communities have historically been underrepresented.
Her journey from fleeing conflict as a child to becoming a world champion has made her an influential figure in British and Somali sporting circles.
The boxer has also worked as a model and UNICEF ambassador, using her public profile to promote opportunities for women and children.
Her latest achievement comes after years of professional competition and a previous unsuccessful attempt to secure a world championship.
Emotional victory dedicated to late father
The victory carried particular personal significance for Ali, whose father died in May this year.
Speaking after the fight, she said she had struggled physically during the 10-round contest but drew motivation from memories of her father.
She revealed that her coach repeatedly encouraged her to continue fighting by reminding her of her father.
Ali said she had been emotionally overwhelmed by the result, having wished her father could have been present to witness the achievement.
"I can't put into words what this means to me and what this means to all of Somalia," she said, adding that she hoped her journey would inspire young girls and boys to pursue their ambitions.
The victory also places Ali among a small number of Somali athletes to have reached the highest level of international competition, giving her achievement significance beyond the boxing ring.
For Somalia, a country whose sporting representation on the global stage remains limited, her success marks another historic moment in its sporting history.
Ali's victory over Kreps was the chief-support bout on a card headlined by American Alycia Baumgardner's unanimous-decision victory over Turkey's Elif Turhan.
The event featured several world championship contests and was organised by Most Valuable Promotions in Arlington, Texas.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
