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British-Somali boxer Ramla Ali, 37, won the first world titles of her professional career on Sunday, beating previously unbeaten American Mikiah Kreps by split decision in Arlington, Texas.
Ali claimed the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) women's super bantamweight titles following a closely contested 10-round bout at College Park Center.
Two judges awarded Ali the victory with scores of 97-92 and 96-93, while the third favored Kreps 98-91, resulting in a split decision.
Ali gained an early advantage in the third round when she landed a left hand that forced Kreps' glove to touch the canvas, resulting in the fight's only knockdown.
Although Kreps fought back with sustained pressure and stepped up her activity in the later rounds, Ali held on to secure the decision and improved her professional record to 12 wins and two losses, including three knockout victories.
Kreps, meanwhile, suffered her first professional defeat after entering the contest with an unbeaten record of 11 victories.
Overcome with emotion as the result was announced, Ali dropped to her knees and wept before dedicating the victory to her father, who died in May. She said her trainer had encouraged her to fight for the championship in his memory.
Born in Mogadishu, Ali fled Somalia's civil war with her family during childhood before growing up in London, where she went on to establish herself in amateur boxing.
She became an English national amateur champion in 2016 and later made history as the first boxer to represent Somalia at the Olympic Games, competing at Tokyo 2020.
Her breakthrough in Texas came on her second attempt to win a professional world championship, following a unanimous-decision defeat to Mexico's Yamileth Mercado in a World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title fight in 2024.
The victory over Kreps also saw Ali take over two championship belts previously held by Ellie Scotney, who vacated them after moving up to the featherweight division.
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