Ramla Ali smiles on the press convention saying the June 29, 2024 battle card at Footprint Heart in Phoenix, Arizona. – Photograph by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
Yamileth Mercado will try a protection of her WBC junior featherweight belt in opposition to Ramla Ali at Footprint Heart in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday June 29, stay worldwide on DAZN on the cardboard topped by the blockbuster conflict between Juan Francisco Estrada and Jesse Rodriguez for the Ring junior bantamweight championship and the WBC belt.
Mercado (23-3 5 KOs) defends her title for the seventh time after profitable the strap in November 2019, and can battle within the States for the simply the second time in Phoenix, having taken on Amanda Serrano in Cleveland in August 2021. The long-reigning Mexican pitched a shut-out in her final protection in April in Tijuana, dominating Linda Laura Lecca over the ten spherical distance.
“I’m excited to battle in america,” mentioned Mercado. “There are millions of ‘paisanos’ who stay in Arizona, I’ll give them a terrific battle, Mexican fashion. Ramla is a superb fighter, however she won’t take away my aim of unifying all of the titles.”
“Mercado is at present the most effective feminine fighter of Mexico, and it’s an honor to have her together with one other of Mexico’s greatest fighters, Juan Francisco Estrada,” mentioned Mercado’s promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Boxing.
Ali (9-1 2 KOs) enters her first title bout filled with confidence having gained candy revenge over Julissa Guzman in her final outing in Monte Carlo in November. Ali was stopped by the Mexican in June in New Orleans, however Ali, who turned the primary fighter to symbolize Somalia within the 202 Olympics, outboxed her foe within the rematch and is thrilled to be getting the possibility to land the coveted inexperienced and gold.
“It’s exhausting to articulate how a lot this implies to me,” mentioned Ali. “As an athlete and as an individual you set your self objectives and challenges in your life and in your profession. A few of them you meet and a few of them you don’t. I’ve by no means actually discovered any happiness or satisfaction up to now within the milestones and achievements I’ve made. I actually really feel that being topped the WBC champion, which is one thing that I’ve at all times wished since I picked up a pair of boxing gloves once I was 12 years outdated, lastly offers me some peace within the lengthy street of struggles which have gotten me thus far.
“Though I’ve discovered success each inside and outdoors the ring, I’ve really had only a few individuals in my life which have actually championed me and invested in me, be it time, cash or power. I’m eternally grateful to Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith for seeing the imaginative and prescient when so many didn’t. To Mauricio Sulaiman, a person who I owe this battle to and somebody who has ensured that my dream can come true. And eventually, to Kevin Rooney that fought like hell to verify this deal bought accomplished so he can see that inexperienced and gold belt round my waist.”
Mercado vs. Ali is a part of a stacked evening of motion in Phoenix topped by the conflict between Estrada and Rodriguez. Former titlists Sunny Edwards and Adrian Curiel will collide, and unbeaten duo Arturo Cardenas and Danny Barrios can even conflict in a crossroads bout.
A press launch by Matchroom was used on this article.
