4 hrs ago
2 min read
Ramla Ali’s second bid to become a world champion proved to be the charm.
Ali (12-2, 3 KOs) handed Mikiah Kreps her first loss, beating her by split decision to win the vacant IBF and WBO 122-pound titles Sunday. Their bout served as the co-main event of MVPW07 on ESPN, which is headlined by Elif Nur Turhan's IBF lightweight title defense vs. Alycia Baumgardner at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
The judges’ scorecards were all over the place. Melva Santos had it 97-92 and Lisa Giampa 96-93 for Ali. Nexis Novoa scored 98-91 for Kreps.
The IBF and WBO titles were vacant after Ellie Scotney moved up to featherweight earlier this year.
It was a battle of contrasting styles, which contributed to the differing scorecards. Ali, of Mogadishu, Somalia, had the crisper boxing and landed the cleaner shots when she was able to create space. Kreps’ pressure and relentless work rate help tilt the tide in her favor.
The biggest moment came in the third round when Ali landed a looping right hand that dropped Kreps. Despite being badly hurt, Kreps, 30, recovered and fought even more aggressively.
Kreps (11-1, 3 KOs), of Niagara Falls, New York, outlanded Ali 115-78 in total punches and 91-70 in power shots, according to CompuBox stats.
Nicolson successful in first defense
It was one-way traffic for Skye Nicolson (17-1, 3 KOs) in the first defense of her WBC 122-pound title.
She boxed her way to a unanimous decision victory over Miyo Yoshida (19-6, 1 KO) to retain her belt. Judge Chris Tellez turned in a 100-90 scorecard, while Sergio Caiz scored 99-91 and Tom Millie 98-92.
The two-division champion from Australia controlled throughout with her height and reach advantage along with her superior footwork and speed from the southpaw stance. Nicolson, 31, took control from the opening bell.
Yoshida gave a spirited effort. She did her best work when she was pressuring and worked her way to the inside, but Nicolson negated her offense by clinching to smother her attack.
Garcia unifies junior bantamweight
Irma Garcia (27-5-1, 6 KOs) delivered a clinic en route to becoming the IBF and WBA 115-pound champion by beating Nataly Delgado (21-8-2, 5 KOs) unanimously to unify.
All three judges scored the bout 97-92.
The 45-year-old southpaw from Mexico City landed the crisper punches and did the better work for the majority of the fight. Garcia seized complete control in the sixth round when she dropped Delgado, 32 with a right hook.
Garcia outlanded the Panamanian 141-87 in total punches, including 110-73 in power shots, according to CompuBox.
Other results
- Albina Maldozhanova (6-0, 6 KOs) def. Kirstie Bavington (10-7-2, 2 KOs) KO 4 (0:44) — junior welterweight
- Shera Mae Patricio (10-0-1, 3 KOs) vs. Brittany Sims (10-3-1, 5 KOs) split draw 10 — vacant regular WBA bantamweight title fight
- Fernando Garcia (15-5, 8 KOs) def. Alexander Castellano (12-3-2, 2 KOs) UD 6 — featherweight
- Nayeli Rodriguez (8-2-1) def. Nat Dove (8-1-1, 2 KOs) SD 8 — junior bantamweight
- Javier Guerrero (8-0, 6 KOs) def. Aiden Anderson (4-4, 3 KOs) TKO 2 (2:41) — welterweight
- Jocelyn Camarillo (8-0, 1 KO) def. Nazarena Serra (6-3, 1 KO) UD 6 (59-55, 58-56, 58-56) — strawweight
Results
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