Ramla Ali vs Mikiah Kreps

This has the feel of a gym fight now taking place under bright lights, with small gloves on. Ramla Ali and Mikiah Kreps have shared countless sparring rounds, so there will be few surprises. Ali owns the greater big-fight experience; Kreps brings the unbeaten record and the confidence of someone who already knows what happens when she closes the distance.

Ali’s advantage is her length. When she establishes the jab, moves her feet and keeps opponents turning, she is a neat, intelligent boxer. The problem comes when pressure forces her into extended exchanges. Lila Furtado exposed that weakness, and Ali was fortunate to receive the decision. Kreps is shorter and must work her way inside, but she punches compactly and appears comfortable fighting at close range. Her concern is a lack of experience against this level of opposition, while her narrow win over Juliana Basualdo showed she is far from untouchable.

I expect Ali to bank the early rounds behind her jab, but Kreps will gradually shorten the ring and make the contest physical. Because they know each other so well, this should become a battle of discipline and engine. I’m taking Kreps by decision, with her pressure and inside work edging the later rounds.