Ramla Ali Becomes World Boxing Champion at 37 in Historic Victory

2026, November 9

United Kingdom / Somalia / United States

British-Somali boxer Ramla Ali captured her first professional world titles at the age of 37 after defeating American Mikiah Kreps by split decision in Arlington, Texas. Ali claimed the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight championships following a ten-round contest. Two judges scored the fight in her favour, while the third awarded victory to Kreps.

Ali's achievement represents another milestone in an extraordinary personal journey. She fled Somalia's civil war with her family and eventually settled in London as a refugee. She subsequently became the first Somali boxer to compete at the Olympic Games, representing her country at Tokyo 2020. Her world championship victory has attracted international attention as an important achievement for women's boxing.