adminRAMLA Ali will create history for women’s boxing when she fights Crystal Garcia Nova in Saudi Arabia on the under-card of Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on August 20.
Somali-British prospect Ali (6-0, 1 KO) and Nova (10-2, 10 KOs) will become the first female boxers to feature in an official international event in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, clashing in an eight-round super-bantamweight contest.
The undercard continues with Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs) against China’s undefeated Zhilei Zhang (24-0-1, 19 KOs) in a final eliminator for the IBF heavyweight world title. The rivals were originally set to clash on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs Dmitry Bivol in May.
Hrgovic is No.3 in the IBF rankings and the showdown will name the mandatory challenger for the title held by Ukraine’s Usyk.
“I respect a fighter like Zhilei Zhang, especially as there were plenty of others who could have fought me and didn’t,” said Hrgovic.
“The respect stays outside the ring, and it’ll be business as usual for me when I step in there and look to do what I do best; put people away.
“There’s a huge amount at stake in this fight. I’m a fighter who belongs at the top of this division, and there’ll be no doubt about this when Zhang is dealt with and I go on to beat whoever it is out of Usyk or Joshua.
“I’m entering my prime, and now is the perfect time to be putting myself up against the top fighters in this division. I will become the heavyweight champion of the world.” – Sky Sports
Online Reporter