Ramla Ali wins first world titles at 36 with highly controversial split decision

• British-Somali boxer claims first world titles in Texas

• Kreps outlands Ali but loses disputed split decision

• Baumgardner wins 135lb belt as Dubois feud heats up

British-Somali boxer Ramla Ali became a world champion for the first time at the age of 36 on Sunday night after winning a highly controversial 10-round split decision over former sparring partner Mikiah Kreps to claim the vacant WBO and IBF women’s junior featherweight titles in Arlington, Texas.

Ali, who grew up in east London after fleeing Somalia’s civil war with her family and went on to become the first boxer to represent the African country at the Olympics, completed her remarkable journey to the top of the 122lb division at College Park Center on her second attempt at a world championship – but only after a verdict rewarding her for a fight that appeared to be largely controlled by her opponent.

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