Ramla Ali
Ramla Ali | |||||||||
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 Ramla Ali, Somali boxer, photographed in Paris | |||||||||
| Born | 16 September 1989[1] Mogadishu, Somalia | ||||||||
| Occupations |
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| Boxing career | |||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) | ||||||||
| Weight | Super-bantamweight | ||||||||
| Stance | Orthodox | ||||||||
| Boxing record[2] | |||||||||
| Total fights | 13 | ||||||||
| Wins | 11 | ||||||||
| Win by KO | 4 | ||||||||
| Losses | 2 | ||||||||
Ramla Said Ahmed Ali (born 16 September 1989) is a Somali professional boxer, model, filmmaker and campaign activist. She is the first Somali woman to become a professional boxer,[3] the first boxer to compete at the Olympic Games for Somalia, and the first to win an international gold medal for the country in boxing. Since 2026 she has also worked as a director, writer and producer through 786 Films, the independent production company she runs with her husband, filmmaker.
Boxing
[edit]Amateur career
[edit]As an amateur, Ali won the 2015 Novice national championships in England, the 2016 England Boxing Elite National Championships, the 2016 Great British Championships, and the 2019 African Zone featherweight title.[4]
Ali initially represented England but, in 2018, changed to represent Somalia. She has not returned to Somalia since leaving as a child but wanted to help put the country in the headlines for positive reasons. She became the first boxer to win an international gold medal while representing Somalia.[5] Later, in 2021, she competed in the women's featherweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Although she lost her first fight, she became the first boxer to represent Somalia on the Olympic stage.[6]
Professional career
[edit]Ali made her professional boxing debut by securing a points win against Eva Hubmayer over six rounds at Wembley Arena in London on 31 October 2020.[7][8]
On 20 August 2022, she defeated Dominican boxer Crystal Garcia Nova by first round knockout in the first professional women's boxing match held in Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua–Oleksandr Usyk rematch in Jeddah; Ali described herself and Garcia Nova as the first women in history to box professionally in the country.[9][10]
She won her first professional championship when she defeated Avril Mathie by unanimous decision for the vacant IBF Intercontinental female super-bantamweight title at Hulu Theater in New York City, United States, on 4 February 2023.[11] Ali lost the title in her first defense, suffering an eighth round knockout against Julissa Guzman at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States on 17 June 2023.[12][13] A rematch took place at Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco on 4 November 2023, with Ali winning via unanimous decision to claim the WBA International female super-bantamweight title.[14][15]
Ali challenged WBC female super-bantamweight champion Yamileth Mercado at Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, on 29 June 2024, losing by unanimous decision.[16][17]
On 26 March 2025, it was announced that Ali had signed with Most Valuable Promotions.[18][19] She is scheduled to face Mikiah Kreps for the vacant IBF and WBO female super-bantamweight titles at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, United States, on 8 November 2026.[20]
Fashion and style
[edit]Alongside boxing, Ali has built a parallel profile in fashion, and has spoken about deliberately bringing the two together rather than treating them as separate identities.[21] She has said she approaches creative directors directly to design one-off fight kits for her to wear into the ring, describing herself as the first boxer to have a major fashion house design her ring attire.[21] Kits designed for her include pieces by Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior — the first designer to create one for her — Ib Kamara at Off-White (continuing the house's relationship with her that began under Virgil Abloh), Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen,[22] Daniel Lee at Burberry, Donatella Versace at Versace, and Pierpaolo Piccioli at Balenciaga.[23] Her Versace kit was among the last pieces Donatella Versace designed before stepping down as the house's creative director in 2025 after nearly three decades at its helm.[23] She has said each kit is built around a recurring motif, a panther, drawn from Somalia's coat of arms.[21] Ali has also been a brand ambassador for Cartier and Dior.[21] Alongside her 2019 British Vogue cover, she has appeared on the covers of Elle UK,[24] Harper's Bazaar Arabia,[25] Dazed,[26] Grazia UK,[24] The Wall Street Journal,[27] Financial Times's How To Spend It magazine,[24] and the Evening Standard's ES Magazine.[28] She has also been the subject of a cover story for Arabian Business's T Magazine[29] and a Marie Claire UK digital cover.[30]
Writing
[edit]Ali's debut novel Not Without A Fight is a self-help book based on ten of the most important fights in her life. It was published by Merky Books & Penguin Random House. It has also been announced that Academy Award nominated, BAFTA winning producer Lee Magiday will be making a feature-length drama in collaboration with Film4 based on the life story of Ramla Ali.[31][32][33][34][35][36][37]
Her book was published by Merky Books in September 2021, structured around ten pivotal "fights" — both literal bouts and personal challenges — that shaped her life.[38]
Filmmaking
[edit]Ali and her husband, writer-director Richard Moore, run the independent production company 786 Films. Their directorial debut, the short film How to Hide It, follows a young Muslim woman, played by Ali, who reluctantly buys a lottery ticket, wins the EuroMillions jackpot, and faces a spiritual and moral reckoning as a result.[39] Ali and Moore co-wrote and co-directed the film, which was executive produced by Idris Elba and Sabrina Elba.[40] It has screened at over 36 international film festivals including the prestigious HollyShorts,[40] Palm Springs ShortFest, Sydney International Film Festival and the Minneapolis–St. Paul International Film Festival, where it was included in the East African showcase "What We Carry".[41]
Ali and Moore have served as executive producers on In the Shadows since the film was first set up, and remained attached throughout its seven years in development.[42] The biographical feature, based on Ali's life and produced by Lee Magiday and Madeleine Sanderson for Film4, is now in production with Jasmine Jobson cast as Ali; Finn Cole also stars.[39]
Ali and Moore's debut feature, Not Like Us, was an independently financed British romantic comedy shot on location in East London, starring Sabrina Elba as Amina Hassan, and Edmund Clarke, played by Ashley Thomas; Sofia Oxenham also stars.[43] Ali and Moore co-wrote and co-directed the film, drawing on their own experience as an intercultural couple; production wrapped in July 2026.[citation needed]
Campaigning and advocacy
[edit]Ali helped set up Somalia's boxing federation in Mogadishu and became the first boxer to have represented Somalia in the Women's World Championships, held in New Delhi, India.
In January 2018, Ali launched The Sisters Club, a charitable initiative created to provide spaces for Muslim women and minorities to learn and enjoy boxing in the U.K. Subsequently, the initiative expanded to also welcome women who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence to learn self-defence. The charity partnered with brands Nike, Sports Direct & Everlast to expand its program in 2021, enabling it to reach more women across the country.[4]
Ali committed to giving 25 percent of her first year's earnings as a professional to Black Lives Matter charities.[4]
Personal life
[edit]Ali moved to England from Somalia as a refugee from the Somali Civil War. When Ali was a toddler, her brother was killed at the age of 12 by a mortar when playing outside, prompting the family to leave for the UK via Kenya. She started boxing as a teenager in an effort to lose weight.[44]
Ali is married to filmmaker Richard Moore, with whom she co-founded 786 Films.[39]
Honours
[edit]Ali was one of the fifteen women selected to appear on the cover of the September 2019 issue of British Vogue by guest editor Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.[45] In 2023, she was selected as one of the twelve Time's Woman of The Year.[46] In 2025, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud awarded Ali with Certificate of Honor for her achievements and efforts in representing Somalia in global sports.[47] She was also awarded the Medal of Honor by the Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Hassan Mohamed Hussein in recognition of her groundbreaking achievements on the global stage and being an "inspiration to Somali youth particularly young women".[48]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | How to Hide It | Lead actress; co-director; co-writer | Short film; 786 Films; screened at over 36 festivals including HollyShorts and Minneapolis–St. Paul International Film Festival[40][41] |
| TBA | In the Shadows | Herself (subject); executive producer since inception | Biographical feature; Film4; Jasmine Jobson stars as Ali[39][42] |
| TBA (2027) | Not Like Us | Co-writer; co-director; executive producer | Feature romantic comedy; 786 Films; stars Sabrina Elba and Ashley Thomas[43] |
Professional boxing record
[edit]| 13 fights | 11 wins | 2 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By decision | 7 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Win | 11–2 | Monika Singh | KO | 1 (8) | 14 Feb 2026 | Westin Hotel Ballroom, Dubai Marina, Dubai | |
| 12 | Win | 10–2 | Lila Furtado | UD | 8 | 11 Jul 2025 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 11 | Loss | 9–2 | Yamileth Mercado | UD | 10 | 29 Jun 2024 | Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | For WBC female super-bantamweight title |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Julissa Guzman | UD | 10 | 4 Nov 2023 | Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco | Won WBA International female super-bantamweight title |
| 9 | Loss | 8–1 | Julissa Guzman | KO | 8 (10), 0:42 | 17 Jun 2023 | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, US | Lost IBF Intercontinental female super-bantamweight title |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Avril Mathie | UD | 10 | 4 Feb 2023 | Hulu Theater, New York City, New York, US | Won vacant IBF Intercontinental female super-bantamweight title |
| 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 | Wembley Arena, London, England | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Eva Hubmayer | PTS | 6 | 31 Oct 2020 | Wembley Arena, London, England |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Boxing ALI Ramla Said Ahmed - Tokyo 2020 Olympics". 10 August 2021. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021.
- ↑ "Boxing record for Ramla Ali". BoxRec.
- ↑ "Somalia sports minister hosts boxing star Ramla Ali". TRT Afrika.
- 1 2 3 "Why the boxer Ramla Ali is a force for good". Financial Times. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ↑ "Featherweight Boxing Champion Ramla Ali". Elle. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ↑ "Podcast: The Somali who kept boxing secret from her family". Olympics. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ↑ "Usyk vs Chisora: Ramli Ali starts pro career with a shutout points win over Eva Hubmeyer". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Ramla Ali Impresses On Her Professional Debut". Fight Post. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ Fatima, Sakina (21 August 2022). "Saudi: Ramla Ali wins 1st professional women's boxing match in 1 min". The Siasat Daily.
- ↑ "Ramla Ali-Crystal Garcia Nova bout will be first professional women's boxing match held in Saudi Arabia". ESPN.
- ↑ "Ramla Ali Out-Boxes Avril Mathie, Scores Unanimous Win On Serrano-Cruz Undercard". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Photos: Alejandra Guzman Shocks Ramla Ali With One-Punch Knockou". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Ramla Ali suffers first professional boxing loss". Arab News. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Ramla Ali WBA 122 lbs. International Champion". wbaboxing.com. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Ramla Ali Gets Revenge, Boxes Past Julissa Guzman For Unanimous Decision". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Mercado beats Britain's Ali to retain WBC title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ↑ "Yamileth Mercado Stifles Ramla Ali; Arturo Cardenas Clips Danny Barrios". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
- ↑ "Jake Paul signs four new "game-changer" female fighters to MVP | Sporting News". www.sportingnews.com. 26 March 2025.
- ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (26 March 2025). "Natalie Dove, Dina Thorslund, Ramla Ali & Naomy Valle sign with Jake Paul's MVP". FIGHTMAG.
- ↑ "Most Valuable Promotions announces fight card with four world title bouts". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Taylor, Joanne (13 May 2026). "Best Practice with Ramla Ali". Practice Magazine.
- ↑ "Ramla Ali on her Alexander McQueen boxing outfit". Vogue. Condé Nast.
- 1 2 Ali, Ramla. "Fashion Is My Armor in the Ring". Danimás.
- 1 2 3 "Magazine Covers & Fashion Editorials". Panther House.
- ↑ "Ramla Ali on Fashion, Fasting and Being a First". Harper's Bazaar Arabia.
- ↑ "Dazed cover star Ramla Ali stars in latest Lady Dior campaign". Dazed.
- ↑ "Ramla Ali featured in Wall Street Journal magazine". Susanna Lea Associates.
- ↑ "ES Magazine: For this week's cover star Ramla Ali, the fighting spirit goes beyond the ring". ES Magazine.
- ↑ "In Her Corner: Ramla Ali". Arabian Business.
- ↑ Jeffs, Lotte (6 January 2025). "Champion Of Change: Ramla Ali on sacrifice, sisterhood and celebrating the small wins". Marie Claire UK.
- ↑ Vasco Cotovio; Salma Abdelaziz (20 June 2018). "The refugee boxer tearing down barriers". CNN. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ↑ "The Shortlist - The Muslim News". Muslimnews.co.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ↑ "We Are All Equal In Boxing". theguardian.com. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ↑ "My Secret Life As A Boxing Champion". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ↑ Kay, Jeremy (8 September 2019). "Sleeper Film, Curate Films line up Somali boxing champion drama 'In The Shadows'". Screen. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ↑ Ritman, Alex (8 September 2019). "Toronto: 'The Favourite' Producer Punches Up Boxing Biopic 'In the Shadows'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (8 September 2019). "'The Favourite' Producer Lee Magiday Set To Make Film4 Pic 'In The Shadows' About Somali British Female Boxing Champ Ramla Ali". Deadline. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ↑ "#Merky Books gets into the ring with Ramla Ali". The Bookseller. 29 January 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 ""When I think about it, I've never not been performing": Ramla Ali brings her fighting instincts from fashion to film". EE72.
- 1 2 3 "The Contending Exclusive: HollyShorts' Announces Full 2026 Programme and Unveils Official Poster". The Contending.
- 1 2 "New East African films at this year's MSP International Film Fest". Sahan Journal.
- 1 2 "British Boxer Ramla Ali & Producer Richard Moore Talk Upcoming Biopic 'In The Shadows' & Lift Lid On Their New Saudi-Backed Production Company 786 Entertainment — Red Sea Studio". Deadline.
- 1 2 "Sabrina Elba & Ashley Thomas To Star In Rom-Com 'Not Like Us' From Ramla Ali And Richard A. Moore". Deadline. 21 July 2026.
- ↑ "Somalian refugee finds success in the ring - CNN Video". CNN. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ↑ "Meghan Markle puts Sinéad Burke on the cover of Vogue's September issue". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- ↑ Gregory, Sean. "Boxing Champion Ramla Ali Is Fighting for Refugees". TIME. Archived from the original on 23 September 2025. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
- ↑ "Somali President Honors Boxer Ramla Ali for Representing Nation on Global Stage". Garowe Online. 20 September 2025. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
- ↑ "Somali Boxer Ramla Ali awarded Medal of Honor in Mogadishu". Hiiraan Online. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
