Ramla Ali Avenges Loss to Mexico’s Julissa Guzman

By David A. Avila

After a slow start Ramla Ali ramped up her jab and avenged a knockout loss with a  convincing unanimous decision victory over Julissa Guzman on Saturday in Monaco.

After a five month wait, Ali (9-1, 2 Kos) met Mexico’s hard-hitting Guzman (13-3-2, 7 Kos) again and this time proved the better fighter at the swanky Casino de Monte Carlo to win a regional super bantamweight title.

The last time they met, Guzman surprised Ali with two knockdowns and a stoppage in the eighth round in New Orleans. Not this time.

After several back and forth rounds, Ali found her footing behind a steady left jab and some rocket right hands. But at first it was uncertain if any lessons had been learned from their first encounter.

Ramla said today her period arrived and caused her to be slower and lethargic. But once she regained her energy and found her jab, things dramatically turned around.

“I called for this rematch and I really wanted to prove something; that I’m the better boxer,” she said. “It was a very slow and shaky start. I knew I was winning from round four onward.”

The first six rounds were back and forth. But once Ali found the range for the left jab it opened up the firing lanes for overhand rights. Those kept Guzman from attacking with abandon.

“It was actually what we worked on in the gym. I tried to work on that as much as possible,” said Ali who trains in Los Angeles with Manny Robles and his team. “Just feint, feint and feint.”

Guzman seemed confident of another knockout win. She has seven knockout wins including Ali and was certain another could be found. It was not to be. Even when the two fighters fought inside, the Mexican fighter was unable to connect with her vaunted left hook.

After 10 two-minute rounds all three judges scored the fight the same 96-94 for Ali.

Ali stated an interpreted quote by baseball great Babe Ruth who said it best “Never let fear stop you from achieving your goals.”