Ramla Ali Wins First World Titles at 36 in Controversial Split 2026

Ramla Ali won her first world titles at the age of 36 with a highly controversial split decision over Mikiah Kreps on Sunday night in Arlington, Texas. The British-Somali boxer claimed the vacant WBO and IBF women’s junior featherweight championships at College Park Center, escaping with a 10-round verdict that many observers believed should have gone the other way.

Ali, who fled Somalia’s civil war as a child and grew up in east London, completed a remarkable journey to the top of the 122lb division on her second attempt at a world title. The win improves her record to 12-2 with 3 knockouts, while Kreps suffers her first professional defeat, falling to 11-1 with 3 knockouts.

The Fight: Knockdown and Controversy

Ali started strong, scoring a knockdown in the third round when Kreps touched the canvas with her glove after taking a flush right hook to the chin. However, Kreps appeared galvanized by the setback, ramping up her volume and applying relentless pressure that disrupted Ali’s rhythm.

The 30-year-old American consistently got the better of the exchanges and seemed to control much of the fight. Despite this, the judges awarded the split decision to Ali, sparking immediate debate among fans and pundits about the scoring.

Who Is Ramla Ali?

Ramla Ali’s story is one of resilience and determination. Born in Mogadishu, she fled Somalia’s civil war with her family and settled in east London. She went on to become the first boxer to represent Somalia at the Olympic Games, competing at Tokyo 2020.

Beyond boxing, Ali is a model, author, and activist, using her platform to inspire young people, particularly girls, to pursue their dreams. Her journey has been documented in the film In the Shadows, which chronicles her rise in the sport.

What the Win Means for Somalia

An emotional Ali dedicated the victory to her homeland. “I can’t put into words what this means to me and what this means to all of Somalia,” she said. “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.”

Her triumph is a landmark moment for Somali sport and for Muslim women in athletics. It underscores the power of perseverance and the importance of representation on the global stage.

The Controversy Explained

The split decision has drawn criticism from those who felt Kreps did enough to win. The American’s pressure and volume appeared to sway many rounds, but the judges favored Ali’s cleaner punching and the early knockdown.

Controversial decisions are not uncommon in boxing, but they often overshadow the athletes’ performances. Both fighters left everything in the ring, and the debate will likely continue in the coming weeks.

Key Takeaways

• Ramla Ali captured the WBO and IBF junior featherweight titles with a split decision win over Mikiah Kreps.
• At 36, Ali becomes a world champion for the first time in her second title attempt.
• The decision was highly controversial, with many believing Kreps deserved the win.
• Ali’s victory is a historic moment for Somalia and for women in boxing.
• Kreps suffered her first professional loss, dropping to 11-1.

Fight Statistics

What’s Next for Ramla Ali?

With the WBO and IBF belts around her waist, Ali now sits atop the junior featherweight division. Potential unification bouts against other champions could be on the horizon, but first, she will likely enjoy a well-deserved break and celebrate her historic achievement. The background to this story is set out in Demi Vollering Wins Dramatic Women's Road Race World Title. A related thread runs through Hrgovic Reveals Headaches After Itauma World Title Fight.

Her story continues to captivate audiences worldwide. As she told reporters, she hopes to keep inspiring the next generation. “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.” Earlier coverage in Denzel Bentley: Boxing Politics, Trauma, and a Stripped Title shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Fred Richard Wins First World Gymnastics Floor Title.

For a deeper look at Ramla Ali’s inspiring journey from refugee to Olympic boxer, see Ramla Ali: Olympic Boxer's Inspiring Journey to the Ring. The documentary In the Shadows also offers a compelling portrait of her rise; our review, In the Shadows Review: Ramla Ali's Boxing Rise Is a Knockout, explores how she overcame adversity to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

As Ali celebrates her world titles, the controversy will inevitably linger. But one thing is certain: her impact extends far beyond the ring. She has become a symbol of hope and resilience, and her legacy will inspire generations to come. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Skye Blakely Wins World Gymnastics All-Around Title After Injury. The same theme surfaces in USA's McNulty Claims Miracle World Title in Montreal Road Race, which takes a different angle.