Ramla Ali, a British Somali boxer whose life story is the subject of a new film, has realised a long-held dream and won her first world title to claim two vacant junior featherweight belts in the United States.
The 36-year-old landed the biggest titles of her career by winning the IBO and WBF belts in a controversial split-decision victory over American fighter Mikiah Kreps in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday. The nail-biting nature of the 10-round contest should not have come as too much of a surprise, as the duo are former sparring partners and ended the night with an expression of mutual respect. The outcome of the fight caused controversy from the moment the referee lifted Ali’s arm when the decision was announced. According to the official punch statistics from the fight, Kreps outlanded Ali by 115 blows to 78 and the American was also way ahead in the power shot count.