Despite making her Las Vegas debut in just her third pro fight, Ramla Ali is happy to take her time before moving into world title contention.
The marketable featherweight, who has a successful modelling career outside of boxing and is managed by heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and 258 MGT, has looked on as other women have jumped into world title shots after only a handful of fights.
But Ali (2-0, 0 KOs) wants to build her career, rather than rush it. On Saturday, she faces Mikayla Nebel (4-8, 1 KO) on the Devin Haney-Jorge Linares undercard at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay, keen to soak up the occasion.
“I am so excited to be fighting in Vegas, the Mecca of boxing,” said Ali. “I actually didn’t think I’d get the opportunity to have my American debut so early on in my career, but I’m so grateful to have been given it.
“Also, what a dream come true fighting on such an amazing undercard. I grew up watching Jorge Linares. What a legend. This is my second time training out here in the States and I love it because the standard of female talent out here is phenomenal.
“I don’t want to make a mockery of the sport and have a world title after just five fights. If I am ready and I feel like I can, great, but I don’t want to be rushed and I would like to take my time. You get in the ring because you want to be the best so, of course, I know I am going to be a world champion one day, but I want to do it at my own speed and knowing that I have fully achieved it and deserved to have the opportunity.”
Main image: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing.