Ramla Ali vs Crystal Nova: The first women’s boxing match in Saudi Arabia
The historic event is happening on August 20 as part of the Rage on the Red Sea…
The Rage on the Red Sea event in Jeddah is getting even closer. But before the main event that is Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight rematch, there’s a stacked undercard – Ramla Ali will take on Crystal Nova in what is set to be a historic bout.
Ali versus Nova will be the first-ever professional women’s boxing match to take place in Saudi Arabia on Saturday August 20.
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It’s another first for Ali, who’s born in Somalia and raised in London. Not only is she the first Somali woman to fight at the amateur world championships and the first woman to represent Somalia in boxing at the Olympics, but the British-Somali boxer is also the first Muslim woman to win a national championship in Great Britain.
Live from Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Arena, Ali and her fighting opponent, Dominican boxer Nova, will clash in an eight-round Super-Bantamweight contest this weekend. Nova, who’s also looking forward to participating in this historical event, hopes to bounce back from the first stoppage loss of her career. And in order to do so, she’ll need to be the first person to beat Ali.
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Meanwhile, due to unforeseen travel restrictions, Tyrone Spong is unable to participate in the Rage on the Red Sea’s eight-round Heavyweight contest. Instead, James Wilson will replace him to fight Andrew Tabiti.
On Friday August 19, all the fighters will face off for the final time before fight night at the official weigh-in. Fight week will then conclude on Saturday with the undercard fights, followed by a special performance by American rapper Russ, ahead of the main event. The winner of the blockbuster heavyweight rematch will also take home the Ring Magazine title.
Tickets are still available from SAR375, and fight fans can get your tickets here.
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