British-Somali boxer Ramla Ali captured her first world championship at age 36 on Sunday night, securing a contentious 10-round split decision over former sparring partner Mikiah Kreps at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. The victory granted Ali the vacant WBO and IBF women's junior featherweight titles in the 122lb division, though the final verdict immediately sparked widespread debate and criticism.
A Hard-Fought Battle in Arlington
The championship bout delivered high drama from the opening bell. Ali, whose career includes representing Somalia at the Olympics after fleeing civil war and growing up in east London, seized an early advantage in the third round. She landed a flush right hook to the chin that sent Kreps touching the canvas with her glove for a knockdown.
However, the 30-year-old American challenger responded with relentless pressure. Kreps increased her work rate significantly, disrupting Ali's rhythm and controlling the majority of the remaining rounds through sheer volume and sustained aggression.
Controversial Scoring and Punch Statistics
The ringside judges were sharply divided when the final bell sounded. Two judges scored the bout 97-92 and 96-93 in favor of Ali, while the third judge scored it 98-91 for Kreps. Compubox statistics highlighted the lopsided nature of the activity, showing Kreps outlanding Ali 115 to 78 overall, connecting on more punches in eight of the ten rounds, and maintaining a 525-to-346 advantage in total punches thrown.
Prominent figures in the sport expressed outrage over the official outcome. Veteran promoter Lou DiBella publicly criticized the decision on social media, calling for a formal investigation into the scoring and asserting that Kreps had clearly won the contest.
Emotional Aftermath and Career Background
Following the announcement, an overwhelmed Ali fell to her knees in tears. During her in-ring interview, she dedicated the win to her father, who passed away in May, noting that her trainer had invoked his memory in the changing room before the fight.
Key highlights from the event include:
- Ali improved her professional record to 12-2 with 3 KOs.
- Kreps suffered her first professional defeat, moving to 11-1 with 3 KOs.
- The bout served as Ali's second attempt at a world title, following a unanimous decision loss to Yamileth Mercado over two years prior.
- Beyond boxing, Ali is a UNICEF ambassador, a fashion model signed with IMG Models, and the founder of the Sisters Club offering free boxing classes to vulnerable women.
Co-Features and Championship Action
In the main event of the card, staged by Most Valuable Promotions Women, three-belt junior lightweight champion Alycia Baumgardner moved up to 135lbs and captured the IBF lightweight title with a dominant unanimous decision over Elif Nur Turhan. Baumgardner now eyes an undisputed showdown against British champion Caroline Dubois, who watched from ringside. Additional results on the card featured Skye Nicolson retaining her WBC junior featherweight title against Miyo Yoshida, and Irma Garcia unifying the IBF and WBA junior bantamweight titles against Nataly Delgado.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Ramla Ali vs. Mikiah Kreps fight?
Ramla Ali won the fight by a 10-round split decision, capturing the vacant WBO and IBF women's junior featherweight titles.
What were the official judges' scores for the bout?
Two judges scored the fight 97-92 and 96-93 for Ali, while the third judge scored it 98-91 in favor of Kreps.
Where did the championship fight take place?
The event took place at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.