Ramla Ali and Crystal Garcia Nova mark first professional women’s boxing fight in the Kingdom
Saudi-Egyptian fighter, Ziyad Almaayouuf, wins his first fight in home country of Saudi Arabia
Jeddah-: Boxing history was made ahead of the Usyk vs Joshua 2 epic when Ramla Ali and Crystal Nova Garcia became the first women to appear on a major international fight card in Saudi Arabia at the Rage on the Red Sea.
The fight was won by Ramla Ali, who knocked out Crystal Garcia in the first round with an incredible combo within a couple of minutes of the bell. But the lasting impact of the fight will far exceed its outcome, as the pair’s appearance on the card alone was an historic event.
“Tonight was amazing,” she said. “Coming into this fight, some were referring to it as ‘the puncher versus the boxer’ because of her high knockout percentage ratio, but we wanted to take the fight to her [Garcia] and I’m delighted to come away victorious. Since I arrived in Saudi Arabia everyone has been so warm and welcoming, and tonight just adds to what has been an incredible experience.”
An excited crowd greeted Ali and Nova Garcia with one of the loudest receptions of the evening. Men and women from across the Kingdom and all over the world celebrated what was a momentous occasion for both boxing and Saudi Arabia.
No other female fighters have ever been showcased in such a way in Saudi Arabia, and the country is looking to use moments like this to drive societal transformation and encourage more females to participate in sport and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Speaking about the growth of women’s boxing in Saudi Arabia and around the world, Ali added: “I definitely feel like women’s boxing is the future. Everyone is now so excited to watch women’s boxing and it’s going to continue growing so much in the years ahead.”
Also inspiring the future generations in Saudi is Saudi-Egyptian boxer Ziyad Almaayouf, who competed and won his first professional boxing bout in his home country, also knocking out his opponent Jose Alatorre in the first round. Almaayouf does not shy away from his desire to be one of Saudi Arabia’s greatest ever athletes and in doing so inspire thousands of children and adults along the journey.
Diriyah’s Clash of the Dunes event in 2019 sparked a boxing revolution as the number of Saudis taking up the sport rocketed in the country and overall female participation figures across sport has risen by more than 150 per cent in the three years since, whilst overall participation in boxing has increased by over 300 per cent.
The historical and iconic moments in this year’s biggest fight night of the year are sure to also have a significant impact on the grass roots level of the sport and development of future professional athletes within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.