Sports · Combat Sports · 7 hrs ago
Ramla Ali wins vacant WBO and IBF titles in disputed decision
Ramla Ali won her first world titles on Sunday, beating Mikiah Kreps by split decision in Arlington, Texas.
The British-Somali boxer claimed the vacant WBO and IBF junior featherweight titles after a 10-round fight.
Ali scored a knockdown in the third round, but Kreps then appeared to control much of the contest with a higher work rate.
Two judges scored the fight for Ali, while the third favored Kreps; the Guardian’s own scorecard also had Kreps winning.
The disputed decision drew sharp criticism, with promoter Lou DiBella calling for an investigation into the scoring.
Ali, 36, grew up in east London after fleeing Somalia’s civil war with her family and became the first boxer to represent Somalia at the Olympics.
The win marks Ali’s breakthrough after a previous failed title bid, while no further action on the scoring was stated.
Ramla Ali won the vacant WBO and IBF women’s junior featherweight titles with a 10-round split decision over Mikiah Kreps in Arlington, Texas.
The verdict was controversial: two judges scored the fight for Ali, while the third favored Kreps.
Kreps landed 115 punches to Ali’s 78, according to Compubox, and appeared to control most of the rounds after a knockdown in the third.
Ali, 36, became a world champion for the first time and dedicated the win to her late father and to Somalia.
- Who
- British-Somali boxer Ramla Ali and American boxer Mikiah Kreps.
- What
- Ali won the vacant WBO and IBF women’s junior featherweight titles by split decision.
- When
- Sunday night. The articles were published on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
- Why
- The judges awarded Ali the fight. The sources do not state a further reason for the verdict.
Ali’s judges
Kreps’s critics
Scoring
Ali’s judges
Two judges scored the fight for Ali, 97-92 and 96-93.
Kreps’s critics
The third judge scored it 98-91 for Kreps; The Guardian scored it 97-92 for Kreps.
Fight performance
Ali’s judges
Ali scored a knockdown in the third round.
Kreps’s critics
Kreps appeared to control most of the remaining rounds and outlanded Ali 115-78, according to Compubox.
Ali scored a knockdown when Kreps touched the canvas with her glove after taking a right hook.
The judges awarded the split decision to Ali, with scores of 97-92 and 96-93; the third judge scored it 98-91 for Kreps.
Ali dropped to her knees and wept, then dedicated the win to her late father.
- Titles
- Vacant WBO and IBF women’s junior featherweight titles
- Venue
- College Park Center, Arlington, Texas
- Fight length
- 10 rounds
- Judges’ scores
- 97-92 and 96-93 for Ali; 98-91 for Kreps
- Compubox punches landed
- Kreps 115; Ali 78
3 sources
What people are saying
I can’t put into words what this means to me and what this means to all of Somalia
Do this for him
Mikiah Kreps won that fight and it wasn’t close. Stevie Wonder could see that
Posts on X
11/8 ESPN/MVP - Ali W 10 (spl) Kreps Ali was the more efficient power puncher, scored a knockdown, while Kreps threw & landed more punches in all categories.
There should be an investigation of that fight, @nakisa_bidarian. Mikiah Kreps won that fight and it wasn't close. Stevie Wonder could see that. #Boxing can't get out of its own way. I am appalled at that decision.