Ramla Ali knocks out Crystal Garcia Nova in the first international women's bout in Saudi Arabia; watch Usyk vs Joshua II live and exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office tonight
Sunday 21 August 2022 02:19, UK
Ramla Ali won the first international women’s bout in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s mammoth rematch with Oleksandr Usyk at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah.
She did it in style as well, stopping Crystal Garcia Nova of the Dominican Republic in the first round of their super-bantamweight clash.
Ali, a refugee from Somalia who is based in London, is a trail-blazer.
She started this contest with real intent, edging onto the front foot and looking aggressive from the first bell. Garcia tentatively looked for a right uppercut but she could not land a meaningful shot.
Ali hunted for openings, letting a right cross fly through. The shot hit hard and set up a left hook.
Garcia, hurt, retreated towards the ropes. But Ali was in pursuit. She slammed an excellent right cross into Garcia's jaw that sent her mouthguard flying.
As her opponent sank to the canvas, Ali planted a left hook to the body to finish the bout. Garcia was counted out after just one minute and five seconds.
It was only the second stoppage win Ali, unbeaten in seven bouts, has taken as a pro and the best punch of her career so far.
But she felt she was scarcely getting started.
"I feel really good. I feel like I need to go back and do some more pads. I didn't really get out of first gear," she said afterwards.
The performance was all the more impressive as Ali revealed she went in carrying injuries.
"My last two fights I've been training and competing with a fractured wrist and a fractured toe," she said.
"I really need to take some time off now.
"This was just such a massive opportunity I couldn't say no to, even though I was in a world of pain."
Ali is now trained by Manny Robles and that appears to be paying off. "When I first walked into his gym [he said,] 'I've got to change everything. You're not sitting down on your punches enough,'" Ali said.
"It's taken up till now but I still feel I haven't got it yet. But he's an amazing coach but I'm blessed to be under his coaching."
She is looking to push on to championship level.
"I hope so," she said. "It would be nice to get a 10 rounder in next and fight for a title for sure. But let's see what the future holds."
Anthony Joshua's heavyweight rematch against Oleksandr Usyk is on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the repeats now!
