Ramla Ali, a Somalia-born boxer signed to Anthony Joshua's 258 management label, has put pen to paper on a multi-fight deal with Joshua's promotional firm Matchroom Boxing.
Ali, a super-bantamweight, is trained by her husband Richard Moore and Jobi Clayton at the BoxClever Gym in Ladbroke Grove, London, and is set to make her professional debut in October, subject to licensing.
"There is no better place to box than Matchroom," said Ali. "You get to fight on Sky Sports — what’s better than that? It was a no brainer for me — I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I feel ready to fight now, I could go next week!
“So many doors open for you when you’re with a great management company like 258. The link with 258 came to fruition when I was on a photoshoot with Joshua Buatsi for the Wonderland magazine cover. A couple of months after that I signed to 258.
“As an amateur I won the National title in 2015 and then in 2016 they had this new English title series which I won. After that I won the GB Championships, which was like my first introduction to a professional fight with the lights, music and commentators.
“In competing for Somalia, I became the first boxer, male or female, to win an African title for them. I would still love to go to Tokyo if and when the time does come. I wanted to get a head start in my professional career so now is the best time to turn pro.
"I just want to get in the ring and I feel like I can do that sooner being a pro rather than waiting around for an Olympic Games that might not come. The Olympic dream is still there but I'm excited to begin my journey in the professional ranks."
Ali, one of 15 women selected to appear on the cover of the September 2019 issue of British Vogue, by guest editor Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, fled war-torn Somalia with her family after her brother had already been killed. Settling in London, she initially kept her boxing training a secret for fear her relatives would disapprove of the pastime for a Muslim girl.
She started boxing in her early teens and told her mother she was simply training for fitness. As an amateur, Ali became the first female Muslim boxer to win an English title before deciding to represent Somalia in 2017.
"Ramla's story is incredible and inspiring," said Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn.
"She has gone through so much to get to this point and I'm delighted that Matchroom will be guiding her progress in the professional ranks alongside our friends at 258 MGT.
"Ramla joins an unrivalled Matchroom stable that boasts some of the very best female fighters on the planet and she is in the perfect place to fulfil her dream of becoming Somalia's first World champion."
“I’m so proud of Ramla and the team at 258 for putting this all together,” said Joshua, who hopes to be back in action in December to defend his WBA (Super), WBO and IBF titles against Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev.
"A happy fighter is a good fighter and we know she is happy with her choice. 258 has a great reputation and strong relationships across the sporting world so we are pleased to announce this today. Long may she reign.”