Somali Boxer Ramla Ali Weeps as World Title Dream Comes True

In a moment that transcended sport, Ramla Ali, the first boxer to represent Somalia at the Olympics, realized her lifelong dream by capturing her first world title at the age of 36. Ali defeated Mikiah Kreps by split decision in Arlington, Texas, to claim the WBO and IBF super-bantamweight championships. The victory marks a crowning achievement for the Briton, who fled war-torn Somalia as a child and has since become an Olympian, activist, author, and now world champion.

An emotional Ali fell to her knees in tears as the judges' scorecards were announced: 97-92, 96-93, and 98-91 in her favor. She dedicated the win to her late father, who passed away in May. "When we were in the changing room, my coach said, because my dad passed away in May, 'Do this for him'," Ali said. "That's where those emotions came out at the end, because I did it for my dad."

"I can't put into words what this means to me and what this means to all of Somalia," she added. "I've hopefully inspired so many young girls and boys out there to dream big and that's all I've ever wanted to do."

The fight was a grueling test of will. Ali started strong, knocking down the previously undefeated Kreps in the third round with a flush left hook. Replays showed the heavy shot caused Kreps's glove to touch the canvas as she tried to steady herself. However, Kreps, 30, was unhappy with the knockdown call and came storming back, applying constant pressure and outlanding Ali 115 punches to 78, including 91 power shots to Ali's 70. One judge scored the fight 98-91 in Kreps's favor, but the other two saw it for Ali.

With the fight threatening to slip away in the second half, Ali revealed that every round was a mental battle. "I remember going to the corner every round and I remember saying 'I'm so tired, I can't do this'. All my coach responded was 'think about your dad, do this for your dad'. I think that really pushed me. I really boxed out of my skin, I was so knackered. I did it for him," she said.

Ali's journey to this point is nothing short of remarkable. She settled in London as a refugee and was the first Somali boxer to represent the nation at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She also became the first Muslim woman to win an English title as an amateur. Since turning professional in late 2020, Ali had proclaimed her goal of becoming world champion, but her credentials were derailed in 2023 when she was knocked out in her ninth fight. As a model often featured on magazine covers and a dedicated activist running her own non-profit organization, Sisters Club, many questioned whether she should continue boxing. Those doubters grew louder after the 2023 disappointment, but Ali was not to be denied.

With two world titles now secured, Ali could set her sights on a unification bout with Skye Nicolson, who retained her WBC belt on the undercard. Nicolson, signed to Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, defeated Japan's Miyo Yoshida by unanimous decision. But for now, Ali will celebrate a victory that adds yet another high point to an incredible life that once seemed impossible.

In the main event, Alycia Baumgardner outclassed Elif Nur Turhan to become a two-weight world champion by claiming the IBF lightweight belt. However, her post-fight speech was interrupted by British WBO and WBC champion Caroline Dubois, who challenged Baumgardner from ringside. The back-and-forth continued with Dubois urging Baumgardner to commit to a fight, while the American insisted she needed to beat Stephanie Han first. Dubois is unbeaten in 15 fights, and a victory over Baumgardner would be a potentially career-defining win.