Ramla Ali

Ramla Said Ahmed Ali (born 16 September 1989) is a Somali professional boxer, model, filmmaker and campaign activist. She is the first Somali woman to become a professional boxer, the first boxer to compete at the Olympic Games for Somalia, and the first to win an international gold medal for the country in boxing. Since 2026 she has also worked as a director, writer and producer through 786 Films, the independent production company she runs with her husband, filmmaker.

Boxing Amateur career As an amateur, Ali won the 2015 Novice national championships in England, the 2016 England Boxing Elite National Championships, the 2016 Great British Championships, and the 2019 African Zone featherweight title.

Ali initially represented England but, in 2018, changed to represent Somalia. She has not returned to Somalia since leaving as a child but wanted to help put the country in the headlines for positive reasons. She became the first boxer to win an international gold medal while representing Somalia. Later, in 2021, she competed in the women's featherweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Although she lost her first fight, she became the first boxer to represent Somalia on the Olympic stage.

Professional career Ali made her professional boxing debut by securing a points win against Eva Hubmayer over six rounds at Wembley Arena in London on 31 October 2020.

On 20 August 2022, she defeated Dominican boxer Crystal Garcia Nova by first round knockout in the first professional women's boxing match held in Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua–Oleksandr Usyk rematch in Jeddah; Ali described herself and Garcia Nova as the first women in history to box professionally in the country.

She won her first professional championship when she defeated Avril Mathie by unanimous decision for the vacant IBF Intercontinental female super-bantamweight title at Hulu Theater in New York City, United States, on 4 February 2023. Ali lost the title in her first defense, suffering an eighth round knockout against Julissa Guzman at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States on 17 June 2023. A rematch took place at Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco on 4 November 2023, with Ali winning via unanimous decision to claim the WBA International female super-bantamweight title.

Ali challenged WBC female super-bantamweight champion Yamileth Mercado at Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, on 29 June 2024, losing by unanimous decision.

On 26 March 2025, it was announced that Ali had signed with Most Valuable Promotions. She is scheduled to face Mikiah Kreps for the vacant IBF and WBO female super-bantamweight titles at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, United States, on 8 November 2026.

Fashion and style Alongside boxing, Ali has built a parallel profile in fashion, and has spoken about deliberately bringing the two together rather than treating them as separate identities. She has said she approaches creative directors directly to design one-off fight kits for her to wear into the ring, describing herself as the first boxer to have a major fashion house design her ring attire. Daniel Lee at Burberry, Donatella Versace at Versace, and Pierpaolo Piccioli at Balenciaga. Her Versace kit was among the last pieces Donatella Versace designed before stepping down as the house's creative director in 2025 after nearly three decades at its helm. Harper's Bazaar Arabia, Dazed, Grazia UK, Financial Timess How To Spend It magazine, She has also been the subject of a cover story for Arabian Business's T Magazine and a Marie Claire UK digital cover.

Writing Ali's debut novel Not Without A Fight is a self-help book based on ten of the most important fights in her life. It was published by Merky Books & Penguin Random House. It has also been announced that Academy Award nominated, BAFTA winning producer Lee Magiday will be making a feature-length drama in collaboration with Film4 based on the life story of Ramla Ali.

Her book was published by Merky Books in September 2021, structured around ten pivotal "fights" — both literal bouts and personal challenges — that shaped her life.

Filmmaking Ali and her husband, writer-director Richard Moore, run the independent production company 786 Films. Their directorial debut, the short film How to Hide It, follows a young Muslim woman, played by Ali, who reluctantly buys a lottery ticket, wins the EuroMillions jackpot, and faces a spiritual and moral reckoning as a result. Ali and Moore co-wrote and co-directed the film, which was executive produced by Idris Elba and Sabrina Elba. It has screened at over 36 international film festivals including the prestigious HollyShorts,

Ali and Moore have served as executive producers on In the Shadows since the film was first set up, and remained attached throughout its seven years in development. The biographical feature, based on Ali's life and produced by Lee Magiday and Madeleine Sanderson for Film4, is now in production with Jasmine Jobson cast as Ali; Finn Cole also stars. Ali and Moore co-wrote and co-directed the film, drawing on their own experience as an intercultural couple; production wrapped in July 2026.

Campaigning and advocacy Ali helped set up Somalia's boxing federation in Mogadishu and became the first boxer to have represented Somalia in the Women's World Championships, held in New Delhi, India.

In January 2018, Ali launched The Sisters Club, a charitable initiative created to provide spaces for Muslim women and minorities to learn and enjoy boxing in the U.K. Subsequently, the initiative expanded to also welcome women who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence to learn self-defence. The charity partnered with brands Nike, Sports Direct & Everlast to expand its program in 2021, enabling it to reach more women across the country.

Ali is married to filmmaker Richard Moore, with whom she co-founded 786 Films. In 2023, she was selected as one of the twelve Time's Woman of The Year. In 2025, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud awarded Ali with Certificate of Honor for her achievements and efforts in representing Somalia in global sports. She was also awarded the Medal of Honor by the Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Hassan Mohamed Hussein in recognition of her groundbreaking achievements on the global stage and being an "inspiration to Somali youth particularly young women".

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2026 How to Hide It Lead actress; co-director; co-writer Short film; 786 Films; screened at over 36 festivals including HollyShorts and Minneapolis–St. Paul International Film Festival TBA In the Shadows Herself (subject); executive producer since inception Biographical feature; Film4; Jasmine Jobson stars as Ali TBA (2027) Not Like Us Co-writer; co-director; executive producer Feature romantic comedy; 786 Films; stars Sabrina Elba and Ashley Thomas

Professional boxing record