Bite Size Fights: Breaking Down Ramla Ali vs. Crystal Garcia Nova
Welcome to the first edition of Bite Size Fights, a series where I break down recent women’s boxing matches into quick, digestible pieces for you!
For our pilot episode, we’re diving into a historic bout: Ramla Ali vs. Crystal Garcia Nova. Before we get into the fight itself, let’s meet the fighters!
Meet the Fighters
Ramla Ali, 32, entered the ring with a pro record of 7-0. No stranger to making headlines, she was the first Muslim woman to win a championship in Great Britain, the first Somali woman to become a professional boxer, and the first Somali fighter to compete at the Olympics.
Her opponent, Crystal Garcia Nova, 22, hails from the Dominican Republic and stepped into the match with a record of 10-3. Though she had more professional fights than Ali, she was relatively less known in the boxing world and hadn’t received as much media attention.
A Historic Match in Saudi Arabia
This fight wasn’t just another bout—it was the first professional women’s boxing match ever held in Saudi Arabia.
Historically, the kingdom has restricted women’s participation in sports, among other limitations. However, under Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s Vision 2030, progress has been made, including allowing physical education to be taught to girls in schools for the first time.
With this match, Ali and Nova weren’t just fighting for a win—they were fighting to make history.
The Fight: A Knockout to Remember
From the moment the bell rang, both women came out with intensity, knowing they had something to prove—not just to Saudi authorities but to every young female athlete watching, dreaming of their own moment in the ring.
But the fight ended quicker than anyone expected.
Just 1 minute and 5 seconds into the first round, Ali landed a powerful right hook on Nova’s jaw, sending her mouthguard flying and dropping her to her knees. The referee stepped in, and just like that, Ali won by knockout!
The Aftermath: A Win Beyond the Ring
After the fight, Ali revealed she had been training and fighting with a fractured wrist and toe. Despite the pain, she knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she couldn’t miss. Now, she plans to take time off to recover fully before setting her sights on the 2023 World Championships, where she is a strong favorite to win.
Nova, despite the loss, remained gracious and proud. After all, both women had already won by making history.
In her own words:
"This match is a message to all young women that boxing is not only for men. Boxing is also for women. And I can go far. And if I can go far, every woman in the world can learn boxing, can go far, and can rise in this game." — Crystal Garcia Nova
Final Thoughts
This fight wasn’t just about titles or records—it was about breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of female fighters.
Ali and Nova showed the world that women’s boxing belongs on every stage, and their match in Saudi Arabia was just the beginning.
What did you think of the fight? Who should we break down next? Let us know in the comments!
