Ramla Ali Clinches First World Title in Controversial Split-Decision Victory Over Mikiah Kreps

Ramla Ali, the British Somali boxer whose inspiring life story is featured in a new film, has achieved a lifelong ambition by securing her first world title, claiming two vacant junior featherweight belts in Arlington, Texas. The 36-year-old fighter achieved the most significant titles of her career by winning the IBO and WBF belts in a contentious split-decision bout against American boxer Mikiah Kreps on Sunday. The closely fought 10-round match was intense, unsurprising given the fighters are former sparring partners, and they concluded the night with mutual respect.

“Mikiah, I want to share this victory with you because you pushed me for 10 rounds,” an emotional Ali stated, addressing her opponent as she was prevented from leaving the ring after the announcement. “I kept saying I’m so tired because your work rate was next level. I don’t know how I kept up, so thank you for being such a great boxer.”

Kreps, 30, from Niagara Falls, reciprocated the sentiment. “I respect you,” Kreps said, with both fighters embracing. Ali had Kreps on the canvas in the third round, but official punch statistics indicated Kreps landed more blows overall and in power shots.

The decision sparked immediate controversy. One judge scored the fight 98-91 for Kreps, while the other two judges favored Ali with scores of 97-92 and 96-93. Veteran promoter Lou Di Bella publicly questioned the outcome, stating, “Mikiah Kreps won that fight and it wasn’t even close. Stevie Wonder could see that.”

Despite the external debate, Ali dropped to her knees in emotion upon hearing the scores. Ali and her family have a history of overcoming adversity, having relocated to London in 1992 after fleeing the civil war in Somalia. Ali later became the first Somali boxer to compete in the Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020 and the first Muslim woman to win an English amateur boxing title.

Her journey has inspired the film ‘In the Shadows,’ starring Jasmine Jobson. Ali, who lost her father earlier this year, revealed she struggled with exhaustion and emotion during the fight. “My father passed away in May, so I was really emotional,” she shared post-fight. “Every round, I kept going to my corner to tell my coach I couldn’t do it any more because I was physically exhausted. I boxed through my skin and I’m glad I got the victory.”

Beyond boxing, Ali is a model and UNICEF ambassador. “I can’t put into words what this means to me and what this means to all of Somalia,” she said, tearfully. “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.”