1. Early Life and Background
Ramla Ali's early life was profoundly shaped by her family's displacement from Somalia due to conflict, leading to her eventual start in boxing as a teenager.
1.1. Childhood and Displacement
Ramla Ali was born on 16 September 1989 in Mogadishu, Somalia. As a toddler, her family was forced to flee the country due to the escalating Somali Civil War. The decision to leave was hastened by a tragic event when her 12-year-old brother was killed by a mortar while playing outside. The family undertook a perilous journey, traveling through Kenya before eventually settling in the United Kingdom as refugees.
1.2. Start in Boxing
Ali initially began boxing as a teenager with the primary goal of losing weight. This personal pursuit gradually evolved into a serious dedication to the sport, ultimately leading her to a professional boxing career.
2. Boxing Career
Ramla Ali has built a significant career in both amateur and professional boxing, marked by numerous pioneering achievements and notable victories.
2.1. Amateur Career
Ali's amateur boxing career saw her achieve early successes. She won the 2015 Novice national championships in England, followed by the 2016 England Boxing Elite National Championships, and the 2016 Great British Championships. In 2019, she secured the African Zone featherweight title. Initially representing England, Ali made a pivotal decision in 2018 to switch her allegiance to Somalia. Although she has not returned to Somalia since leaving as a child, she expressed a desire to help bring positive headlines to her home country. This commitment led her to become the first boxer to win an international gold medal while representing Somalia. Later, in 2021, she made history again by competing in the women's featherweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, becoming the first boxer ever to represent Somalia on the Olympic stage. She also became the first boxer in history to represent Somalia at the Women's World Championships, held in New Delhi, India, in 2018.
2.2. Professional Career
Ali's transition to professional boxing brought further milestones and significant matches, cementing her status as a pioneering figure in the sport.
2.2.1. Notable Professional Matches
In 2022, Ramla Ali achieved another historic feat when she defeated Dominican boxer Crystal Garcia Nova in the first professional women's boxing match ever held in Saudi Arabia. This fight took place in Jeddah. On 4 February 2023, Ali lifted her first professional belt by defeating Avril Mathie via unanimous decision in New York City. She faced Julissa Guzman twice in 2023; she was knocked out by Guzman in the eighth round on 17 June 2023, but later claimed revenge with a unanimous decision victory in their rematch on 4 November 2023 at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco. On 29 June 2024, Ali challenged Yamileth Mercado for her WBC super bantamweight title at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite her efforts, she lost the fight by unanimous decision over ten rounds.
3. Advocacy and Social Impact
Beyond her achievements in the ring, Ramla Ali is a dedicated campaign activist, utilizing her platform to champion social causes and contribute to community development.
3.1. The Sisters Club
In January 2018, Ramla Ali launched 'The Sisters Club,' a charitable initiative aimed at providing safe and inclusive spaces for Muslim women and minorities to learn and enjoy boxing in the United Kingdom. The initiative subsequently expanded its scope to also welcome women who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence, offering them self-defense training. To broaden its reach and program offerings, the charity formed partnerships with prominent brands such as Nike, Sports Direct, and Everlast in 2021, enabling it to support more women across the country.
3.2. Contributions to Somali Boxing
Ramla Ali played a pivotal role in helping to establish Somalia's boxing federation in Mogadishu. Her efforts were crucial in allowing Somalia to be represented on the international boxing stage. She holds the distinction of being the first boxer to represent Somalia in both the Women's World Championships, held in New Delhi, India, in 2018, and the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.
3.3. Other Activism
Ali has demonstrated her commitment to various social movements. Notably, she pledged to donate 25 percent of her earnings from her first year as a professional boxer to Black Lives Matter charities, underscoring her support for racial justice.
4. Literary Activities
Ramla Ali has extended her influence into the literary world as an author, with her life story also inspiring a film adaptation.
4.1. Debut Novel
Ali's debut novel, titled Not Without A Fight, is a self-help book. It draws upon ten of the most significant "fights" in her life, blending autobiographical elements with inspirational guidance. The book was published by Merky Books and Penguin Random House.
4.2. Film Adaptation
Her compelling life story is set to be adapted into a feature-length drama. The film project is being produced by Academy Award-nominated and BAFTA-winning producer Lee Magiday in collaboration with Film4.
5. Honours and Recognition
Ramla Ali has received numerous accolades and held prestigious ambassadorial roles, reflecting her widespread impact and recognition.
5.1. Major Accolades
In 2023, Ramla Ali was selected as one of the twelve 'Women of the Year' by TIME Magazine, a testament to her influence and contributions. Her prominence in media and fashion was highlighted in September 2019 when she was one of fifteen women featured on the cover of British Vogue, an issue guest-edited by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Furthermore, she was honored with the role of flag bearer for Somalia at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, sharing the distinction with Ali Idow Hassan.
5.2. Brand Ambassadorships
Ali serves as a global brand ambassador for several international organizations and prestigious brands, including UNICEF, Siro Hotels, Cartier, and Christian Dior. She also became an exclusive global athlete for Nike in 2018.
6. Professional Boxing Record
| Number | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Loss | 9-2 | Yamileth Mercado | UD | 10 | 29 Jun 2024 | Footprint Center, Arizona, USA | For the WBC female super bantamweight title |
| 10 | Win | 9-1 | Julissa Guzman | UD | 10 | 4 Nov 2023 | Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco | |
| 9 | Loss | 8-1 | Julissa Guzman | KO | 8 (10), 0:42 | 17 Jun 2023 | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, US | |
| 8 | Win | 8-0 | Avril Mathie | UD | 10 | 4 Feb 2023 | Hulu Theater, New York City, New York, US | |
| 7 | Win | 7-0 | Crystal Garcia Nova | KO | 1 (8), 1:05 | 20 Aug 2022 | King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | |
| 6 | Win | 6-0 | Augustina Rojas | PTS | 8 | 9 Jul 2022 | The O2 Arena, London, England | |
| 5 | Win | 5-0 | Shelly Barnett | KO | 2 (8), 2:33 | 19 Mar 2022 | Galen Center, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 4 | Win | 4-0 | Isela Vera | UD | 6 | 27 Nov 2021 | Hulu Theater, New York City, New York, US | |
| 3 | Win | 3-0 | Mikayla Nebel | UD | 6 | 29 May 2021 | Michelob Ultra Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US | |
| 2 | Win | 2-0 | Bec Connolly | PTS | 6 | 20 Mar 2021 | The SSE Arena, London, England | |
| 1 | Win | 1-0 | Eva Hubmayer | PTS | 6 | 31 Oct 2020 | The SSE Arena, London, England |