Ramla Ali Ready To Prove Her Point Against Yamileth Mercado

Ramla Ali, the 2020 Somalian Olympian, will vie for her inaugural world title this Saturday at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, where she faces WBC junior featherweight champion Yamileth Mercado.

Ali (9-1, 2 KOs), 34, acknowledged the proximity of Arizona to Mercado’s native Mexico. Mercado (23-3, 5 KOs), 26, has only succumbed to Amanda Serrano in the past five years. This match signifies a pivotal moment in Ali’s career.

“Ideally, I had wanted the bout in London,” chuckled Ali.

Ali is keenly aware of the geographic advantage Mercado holds. She emphasized Mercado’s minimal travel compared to her own transatlantic journey to Arizona. Additionally, Ali enters the ring as a two-to-one underdog, a fact she addressed at the press conference, also citing the wisdom of Muhammad Ali: “He who is not courageous will achieve nothing in life.’

“It’s alright that it’s here in Arizona, essentially in the backyard of the world champion,” Ali remarked. “I feel like I flourish under those kind of pressures.”

A year ago, Ali suffered a knockout defeat against Julissa Alejandra Guzman, but she bounced back to avenge that loss in November in Monte Carlo. Despite her comeback story, Ali prefers not to dwell on the past.

“People love to talk about that defeat,” Ali said. “We’ve moved beyond it. I showed everyone that the first time was just luck. The second time I proved I was the better boxer, and I feel on Saturday I am going to do the same again.”