British-Somali boxer Ramla Ali wins first world titles at 37 after split-decision victory

Ramla Ali vs. Mikiah Kreps at MVPW 07. Credit: Most Valuable Promotions

ARLINGTON, Texas — British-Somali boxer Ramla Ali won her first world championship titles at the age of 37 on Sunday, defeating American Mikiah Kreps by split decision to claim the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight titles.

The 10-round bout took place in Arlington, Texas, where two judges scored the contest in Ali's favor, while the third awarded the victory to Kreps.

The judges' scorecards read 97-92 and 96-93 for Ali, with the remaining judge scoring it 98-91 for the American.

Ali scored a knockdown with a right hand in the third round, but Kreps responded strongly and mounted a competitive challenge throughout the fight.

The victory marks a major milestone in Ali's professional boxing career, making her a world champion under two major boxing organizations.

Born in Somalia, Ali fled the country's civil war with her family as a child before settling in London as a refugee. She later became the first Somali boxer to compete at the Olympic Games, representing Somalia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

She also made history as the first Muslim woman to win an English amateur boxing title.

Ali's achievement represents a significant moment for Somali boxing, adding to her journey from a refugee background to becoming a two-organization world champion.

GAROWE ONLINE