After fleeing the war in Somalia as a child, featherweight boxer Ramla Ali had to fight for everything she had.
The 32-year-old is now about to write another chapter in her remarkable life as she prepares for her next fight against Dominican Republic’s Crystal Garcia Nova in the first women’s match to be held in Saudi Arabia.
The fight, taking place in Jeddah on Saturday, sees Ali on Oleksandr Usyk’s undercard against Anthony Joshua as the literal ‘fight’ for women’s rights in the kingdom has reached new heights.
“I’m proud to bring hope to my community and my people and to give African girls one more reason to play sports and strive for whatever they want,” Ali told CNN Sport.
As a refugee, Ali is no stranger to breaking down barriers. She fled war-torn Somalia with her family and settled in the UK, where she came to terms with the tragic death of her brother.
She told CNN in 2018, “The reason we came here is because my eldest brother died in the war. He was hit by a grenade while playing in front of the house. Obviously my mother didn’t want that life from then on for us.”
Ali was teased for her height when she struggled to fit in at school, but in her new home she discovered boxing – initially as a casual, healthy hobby to lose weight.
But her hobby soon turned into a passion.
Ali became a successful amateur boxer, winning titles such as the 2016 Great British Championship.
Of the success, she told CNN in 2018, “I went in there like a bit of an outsider … I was so scared when I saw the list [with the other fighters] and in the end I beat them and took the lead.”
She then made history at Tokyo 2020, becoming the first Somali woman – male or female – to box at the Olympic Games.
Now a new barrier has been broken in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom allowed the public broadcast of a women’s fight for the first time on a global stage through matchroom boxing.
Fears of sportswear
The fight is not without controversy, however. Many critics have accused Saudi Arabia of “washing out” its image with events like these to detract from its record of human rights abuses – women, for example, were only recently granted the legal right to drive in June 2018.
The contest also comes less than a week after Saudi women’s rights activist Salma al-Shehab was sentenced to 34 years in prison for her activities on Twitter, according to court documents seen by CNN.
Al-Shehab, 33, was also banned from leaving Saudi Arabia for another 34 years.
Ali, a devout Muslim who reflects modesty in her attire both as an athlete and model, believes the fight is still a moment of recognition and a step toward progress.
“I say positive change should be celebrated. Nothing is done overnight and many steps in the right direction are needed to ensure equality,” she told CNN.
“The West need only look at the past 400 years of its own past to see what it has done to other nations, races and religions before it jumps to judgment.
“I appreciate that the region needs to do much better and I do not condone action against women’s inequality, but I also believe in pushing for greater inclusion and that’s what I’m here for.”
Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal says the fight is another example of the “quantum leap” for women in the kingdom and insists attitudes are changing.
“Our country is changing, and women and girls play a crucial role. For sport, that means inspiring them to live happy, healthy lives for a few years,” he said in written responses to CNN.
“Ramla Ali is such an incredible role model. I have no doubt that many young girls will see her fight against Crystal Nova Garcia and be inspired. Not just in Saudi Arabia, but around the world.”
“A Tale of Struggle and Endurance”
Ali’s struggle for representation in and out of the ring is underscored by the training she receives from Los Angeles-based Mexican-American boxing trainer Manny Robles.
Robles has already helped heavyweight boxer Andy Ruiz break his own barriers by becoming the first Mexican to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
“It’s a pleasure to work with Ramla,” he told CNN Sport. “She has the dedication and discipline to succeed in boxing. Ramla has a history of struggle and endurance.
“Everything she has, she deserves. It gives women hope and a reason to believe that anything you set your mind to is possible.”
The undefeated 32-year-old with a 6-0 record says she’s just getting started.
When not in the ring, Ali is either immersing herself in the world of fashion or serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
In 2018, Ali founded Sisters Club – her own charity that aims to offer a free weekly boxing class for women. It aims to be a safe place for Muslim women to exercise without fear of discrimination.
“I’m not yet giving myself the liberty to sit back and look at all that I’ve accomplished in my career because there is still so much to do both in and out of the ring, but I’m proud of my resilience, to get this far and make sure I take as many opportunities as possible along the way,” she said.
From the ring to the catwalk to Mecca itself, Ali challenges traditional norms and breaks down old barriers to achieve equality as an African, a devout Muslim and a passionate boxer.