With only six professional fights under her belt, Somali boxer Ramla Ali will make history in Saudi Arabia alongside Dominican Crystal Garcia. The two will star in the first women's professional boxing match in the nation's history.
The match-up will be part of the August 20 card at the Jeddah Superdome headlined by Anthony Joshua as he attempts to regain the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight crowns from Ukrainian Olexandr Usyk in September.
Ramla is a 32-year-old fighter who is a model, author and activist for racial equality and has great significance in her country, as she was not only the first Somali boxer to participate in the Olympics, she is also the first professional boxer.
"It's a monumental thing to happen in Saudi Arabia. It's so monumental because it gives hope to a lot of women, first of all. It gives hope to a lot of girls who look up to us and know that they can do, they can be and they can achieve anything they want," Ali told ESPN in an interview.
While it's important for her to keep adding to her 6-0 record with one knockout, Ramla said this fight is much bigger than that because it will take place in a country that is known for its harsh restrictions on women.
"For me, it's about progression. To be the first women to compete in Saudi Arabia is a step in the right direction.
Ramla does not know what the reaction of the local fans will be, but she assured that they will not take a step back:
"I feel you have to be brave. Be brave for what I mentioned before, for all the young girls that look up to you, you have to be brave. You have to be a hero for them and that's what it means. It's another first again and it's very scary because no one has done it before, but I have to be brave and show that it's okay to be the first because others will follow you."
The match-up will be part of the August 20 card at the Jeddah Superdome headlined by Anthony Joshua as he attempts to regain the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight crowns from Ukrainian Olexandr Usyk in September.
Ramla is a 32-year-old fighter who is a model, author and activist for racial equality and has great significance in her country, as she was not only the first Somali boxer to participate in the Olympics, she is also the first professional boxer.
"It's a monumental thing to happen in Saudi Arabia. It's so monumental because it gives hope to a lot of women, first of all. It gives hope to a lot of girls who look up to us and know that they can do, they can be and they can achieve anything they want," Ali told ESPN in an interview.
While it's important for her to keep adding to her 6-0 record with one knockout, Ramla said this fight is much bigger than that because it will take place in a country that is known for its harsh restrictions on women.
"For me, it's about progression. To be the first women to compete in Saudi Arabia is a step in the right direction.
Ramla does not know what the reaction of the local fans will be, but she assured that they will not take a step back:
"I feel you have to be brave. Be brave for what I mentioned before, for all the young girls that look up to you, you have to be brave. You have to be a hero for them and that's what it means. It's another first again and it's very scary because no one has done it before, but I have to be brave and show that it's okay to be the first because others will follow you."