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    Anthony Joshua weighs in 4lbs HEAVIER for Oleksandr Usyk rematch as he looks to bully lighter unified champ

    ANTHONY JOSHUA packed on 4lbs in his effort to bully and KO Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday.The 32-year-old Watford ace was 240lbs – 17st 2lbs – for his September loss to the 35-year-old Ukraine king in September.
    Anthony Joshua hits the scales in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Reuters
    Oleksander Usyk weighing in after Anthony JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua ahead of their rematchCredit: Getty
    And he stripped his top off – but left on his trousers and pants – to make 244lbs on Friday afternoon in Jeddah, before staring down his 13lbs lighter foe.
    The under-pressure challenger said: “I’ll be honest, all of this stuff doesn’t matter, it’s just about the fight. Real talk.
    “All of this stuff, weight, face-off, none of it matters to me. Just looking forward to the fight.”
    Usyk – the former 14st 4lbs undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world – stayed bang-on his 221lbs – 15st 11lbs – mark from the first unanimous points win.
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    Misleading photos of the WBA, IBF and WBO champ looking massive – and Amir Khan’s terrible maths following a visit to his Dubai gym – had some fans thinking Usyk had packed on as much as 2st.

    🥊AJ vs Usyk 2 confirmed fight time, TV and live stream info for Saturday’s blockbuster
    But he was just a quarter-of a-lb over his September weight – technically a career heaviest – and played it ice cool as always when asked if it was an intentional trick.
    “Your expectations are not met every time,” he grinned.
    Joshua added: “I’m just ready for 12 rounds, 100 per cent ready for 12 rounds and anything short of that is a bonus.”
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    Joshua was beaten over 12 rounds last year at Tottenham’s stadium, surrendering the unified belts.
    But he has now linked up with American boxing mastermind Robert Garcia, promising a seek-and-destroy approach.
    Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua face off for the final timeCredit: AP More

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    I used to work in a energy company call centre – now I’m fighting on the undercard of Joshua against Usyk live on Sky

    BOSNIAN boxer Petar Nosic used to answer calls for an energy company – now he is fighting on Anthony Joshua’s undercard. The super-middleweight faces rising British star Ben Whittaker, who last year won Olympic silver.
    Ben Whittaker will fight Petar Nosic in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
    Nosic’s office for the night will be in the ring against Whittaker, before AJ headlines in a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
    So it marks quite the journey from working in Ireland answering the phone at energy provider Green Star.
    Nosic, 23, began boxing only in 2015 and after six months he was already representing Bosnia.
    And it was in one European Championship bout that he actually boxed Whittaker, losing in the second round.
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    Nosic told The42: “I had only been boxing for seven or eight months.
    “I wasn’t really ready for that level; not ready physically and even less ready mentally.
    “His team definitely know about that fight — but that was seven years ago, you know?
    “I was a beginner, then. Now, I’m obviously more prepared. I know what I’ve come here to do.
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    “But Ben has also improved. He took silver at the Olympics and is obviously a very, very good boxer.
    “So, we’ve both improved in our own ways… and we’ll see what happens Saturday.
    “It’s actually a good thing but I think they’re definitely underestimating me.
    “See, I see this as an opportunity to show myself to the world, you know?”
    Nosic moved to Cork in 2018 and before looking for an amateur boxing club to train at, he needed to first find a job.
    He worked as a kitchen porter before switching to customer services for Green Star.
    Nosic boxed in Ireland for three years but moved back home during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.
    He has remained there ever since, turning professional in 2021 and since going 6-0.

    🥊AJ vs Usyk 2 confirmed fight time, TV and live stream info for Saturday’s blockbuster
    Whittaker, 25, plans to use Saturday night’s Sky Sports Box Office event to further announce his name to the boxing world.
    His promoters have high hopes and believe they have got the nation’s next star on their hands.
    But for Nosic, he plans to rip up the script and derail 1-0 Whittaker’s hype train before it has even left the station.
    He said: “I could never go in with the mentality just to stick around until you hear the last bell.
    “That’s not the way I think. That’s not the way I process things.
    “Every time I have ever been in the ring, I have gone in there to win. I go in there to try to finish the guy.
    Whatever happens happens — but I’m always confident in my preparations, I know what I have to do.
    “I’ve sacrificed the last, I don’t know, seven or eight years of my life training constantly to get an opportunity like this.
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    “I’ve never had a training camp in my life: my whole career is training camp. Even when I’m on holiday, I train.
    “So, that’s where the confidence comes from and I need to have that mentality.
    “I can’t go into a fight just to put up a good fight, you know? I fight to win.”
    Petar Nosic fights on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua’s rematchCredit: Getty
    Ben Whittaker is tipped as Britain’s next boxing hopeCredit: Reuters More

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    ‘We beat him 6-0, he wasn’t a mentality monster then’ – Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp slams Agbonlahor over Man Utd criticism

    JURGEN KLOPP slammed Gabby Agbonlahor for his criticism of Manchester United. United have suffered their worst start to the season in over 100 YEARS and currently sit bottom of the Premier League.
    Jurgen Klopp slammed Gabby Agbonlahor for his criticism of Manchester United
    Gabby Agbonlahor hit out at Man Utd after losing to Brentford
    That followed after a 2-1 opening day defeat to Brighton and 4-0 hammering at Brentford.
    Ex-Aston Villa forward Agbonlahor tore into Erik ten Hag’s side on radio.
    But his comments drew a fiery response from Klopp, whose Liverpool side travel to Old Trafford on Monday.
    He said: “It was not a nice week for United after Brentford.
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    “We forget how good Brentford are. I watched the first half and then drove home and listened on the radio to talkSPORT.
    “Gabby Agbonlahor – he lost against us 6-0 in my first year and I couldn’t remember him as a mentality monster on the pitch but what he said about United on that show.
    “I was close to calling in and telling him you forgot completely you have been a player.
    “It was unbelievable and if ex players are already going like this you can imagine where everything else is going.”
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    Keeper David de Gea and defender Lisandro Martinez were among those Agbonlahor slammed.
    He said: “This is not Manchester United.
    “If I was them now after this game I’d be thinking, ‘You know what, Ten Hag, just pack up’.
    “He’s had pre-season and they have started the season as a shambles, they’re like strangers on the pitch.
    “They’re just not good enough, De Gea must know that (Christian) Eriksen has got a man behind him, use your brain and you don’t give it to him, Man City wouldn’t even give it to Rodri in that position.
    I was close to calling in and telling him you forgot completely you have been a player.Jurgen Klopp on Gabby Agbonlahor’s criticism of Man Utd on talkSPORT
    “Amateur from Manchester United. If I was Gary Neville now at half-time I’d throw the white towel in and say, ‘Alright, it’s 4-0, I can’t take any more’.
    “They’re not United they’re divided, none of them are working for each other. Look at them, they’re like strangers on the pitch.
    “Martinez at centre back, he’s meant to be the centre-back to come in and help them, he looks lost in the Premier League.
    “It’s a shambles kit, shambles club at the moment.
    “I’ve been hammering United and people are saying I’ve got an agenda against Manchester United – no, I’m speaking facts that real Manchester United fans will agree with.
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    “You’re just not the same Manchester United that you used to be. These results have been coming.
    “Last week you lost and it wasn’t shocking, and this isn’t a shock to me. I knew Brentford would win, this is not a shock to me.”
    Man Utd were hammered 4-0 at BrentfordCredit: AFP More

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    Five potential next opponents for Anthony Joshua after Usyk rematch with Tyson Fury favourite but Wilder fight possible

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has insisted his boxing career will go on after rematching Oleksandr Usyk – win or lose. AJ was beaten last September but gets a second crack at the Ukrainian on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
    Oleksander Usyk and Anthony Joshua ahead of their Saudi Arabia rematchCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    Some have urged Joshua to walk away if he loses again to the pound-for-pound star.
    But the man himself is having none of it, meaning huge fights lay await for AJ regardless of the result.
    Here, SunSport runs down some of the options for Joshua ahead of his massive rematch with Usyk.
    TYSON FURY
    If Joshua, 32, beats Usyk, 35, and regains the WBA, IBF and WBO belts in the process, there is only one fight that makes sense.
    It would surely convince Fury back to boxing to put his WBC title on the line for a first ever four-belt heavyweight unification.
    Although defeat leaves the Battle of Britain further away then ever, but not over completely.
    It would likely mean AJ rebuilding with some steady wins, but over time the super-fight could be revived with so much money to be made.
    Tyson Fury remains linked with a comeback to fight the undisputed crownCredit: AFP
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    DEONTAY WILDER
    The Bronze Bomber has now confirmed he will return on October 15 against Robert Helenius, 38, his first fight since losing to Fury last October.
    His manager Shelly Finkel has already told SunSport a fight with AJ is “enormous” whether the Brit beats Usyk or not.
    In an ideal world, Wilder, 36, and Joshua would both get back to winning ways setting up the grudge fight everyone wanted in 2019.
    But even if AJ slips to another loss, returning against Wilder remains a blockbuster.
    Deontay Wilder has now confirmed his return to boxingCredit: Reuters
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    ANDY RUIZ JR
    The last time Joshua was in Saudi, he was avenging defeat against Ruiz, following his upset loss in June 2019.
    A trilogy has remained shelved and could prove an option after Joshua rematches Usyk.
    If he loses, completing a trilogy with Ruiz, 32, is still a fan-friendly fight.
    But if he wins, and the top names are unavailable, the history and clash of styles with the Mexican-American makes it a perfect alternative.
    Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua are yet to complete their trilogyCredit: PA
    DILLIAN WHYTE
    No matter where AJ or Whyte, 34, are in their careers, a rematch will always appease fans.
    Joshua won the initial bout in 2015 following defeat in the amateurs six years earlier and Whyte is in need of a big fight after being knocked out by Fury in April.
    If AJ wins back the belts, it could set up a huge title rematch between the Brit rivals.
    But if he loses, it makes the clash even more interesting, as both would not be able to afford another defeat.
    Anthony Joshua beat Dillian Whyte in 2015Credit: Action Images – Reuters
    JOE JOYCE
    Joyce, 36, is currently the WBO mandatory challenger, meaning he is in line to fight the winner between AJ and Usyk.
    He also faces Joseph Parker, 30, on September 24 which could strengthen his position in the division.
    If Joshua beats Usyk, he might have no choice but to fight Joyce.
    But if he loses, the bout is among the biggest to be made for AJ, due to their history as former sparring-partner turned rivals.
    Joe Joyce fights Joseph Parker on September 24Credit: Rex More

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    Deontay Wilder backs Oleksandr Usyk to beat Anthony Joshua AGAIN and says Brit rival ‘looks broken’ ahead of rematch

    DEONTAY WILDER said Anthony Joshua “looks broken” and backed Oleksandr Usyk to win their rematch. Joshua gets a second crack at the Ukrainian boxing mastermind on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, following defeat last September.
    Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua ahead of their Saudi rematch
    Deontay Wilder backed Oleksandr Usyk to beat Anthony JoshuaCredit: Reuters
    But without the unified belts around AJ’s waist, ex-champion Wilder notices the British star is lacking the same aura.
    And he backed Usyk, 35, to hand Joshua, 32, another crushing loss.
    Wilder, 36, told FightHype: “I’m going with Usyk in this fight. I’ve said that after that fight and I’m sticking with my word on this one.
    “Usyk just looks more confident than ever now and when you look at Joshua he just looks like a different man.
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    “He looks more broken or something, maybe it’s him getting used to not having the titles and now the tables have turned.
    “Because sometimes you have something for so long and the tables turn, you’ve got a chance to get used to that when you were used to something else.”
    Wilder has confirmed his own return to boxing, facing ex-sparring partner Robert Helenius, 38, on October 15 in New York.
    It is his first bout since losing to Tyson Fury, 34, in their Las Vegas trilogy bout classic in October 2021.
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    Fury remains retired despite calls to return for a fight against the winner between AJ and Usyk.
    And even Wilder has tipped a title unification to follow after Saturday’s Saudi rematch.
    He said: “I’m going with Usyk like I picked before and I’m sticking with that.
    “Once that happens, I think there’s a lot of things in the future like a unification bout.”
    Tyson Fury has been linked with returning to fight for the undisputed titleCredit: AFP More

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    Anthony Joshua reveals he wants Idris Elba or Denzel Washington to play him in biopic of his life ahead of Usyk fight

    ANTHONY JOSHUA named Idris Elba and Denzel Washington as the two movies stars he would pick to play him in a biopic. Will Smith famously played the great Muhammad Ali in the 2001 blockbuster.
    Anthony Joshua ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: AFP
    Denzel Washington starred as boxer Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter in 1999Credit: Reuters
    Idris Elba is an avid fight fanCredit: Rex
    And in 1999, Washington starred as Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter, the boxer who was accused of murder and convicted to three life terms.
    AJ was clearly impressed and revealed he would love to have the American play him.
    He said: “I would love Denzel Washington to play me in a movie of my life.”
    But remembering the accent may be a barrier, Joshua quickly picked fight-fan Elba as an alternative.
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    He added: “Well actually sorry he is American, so it would have to be Idris Elba.”
    Elba was in London last September the night Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk.
    Now AJ prepares for a revenge mission fit for Hollywood in a rematch with Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
    Joshua is still haunted by the box-and-move tactics he deployed the first time around as he prepares for all out war.
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    He told Sky Sports: “I wanted to outbox my opponent, whether it was Usyk or anyone else, that was the mindset.
    “I wanted to outbox my opponent and on Saturday I want to smash my opponent. That’s just the mindset now.”
    He added: “I was amateur for three and a half years and I did a lot in that time and I asked myself how?
    “It wasn’t down to the skill element, because I was outclassed in terms of skill and experience by a lot of my competitors on the world scene, but that aggression.
    “That will was something that couldn’t be denied. Then as you get more experience you try to develop as a rounded athlete.
    “But ultimately, you can’t take your eye off the factor of what got you to where you are which is, as you said, that aggressiveness.”
    Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua rematch in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GETTY More

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    Tyson Fury ‘trying to stay relevant’ and is NOT retired amid talk of facing winner of Joshua v Usyk, says AJ promoter

    TYSON FURY has been accused of “trying to stay relevant” after backtracking on his boxing comeback. The Gypsy King announced he was returning for an unlikely trilogy bout with Derek Chisora, despite his 2011 and 2014 wins.
    Tyson Fury has been accused of ‘trying to stay relevant’Credit: Getty
    But then just two days later, on his 34th birthday, Fury said he was retiring for good.
    It all came as the build up for Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday in Saudi Arabia intensified.
    And Frank Smith, CEO of Matchroom Boxing who promote AJ, cast doubt over Fury’s retirement claim.
    Smith told The Mirror: “It is not the first time he has retired but we will see.
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    “I think he just wants to stay relevant. Ultimately he is just trying to stay relevant.
    “One thing I would say is that he is the WBC champion, if he actually has retired he should have to vacate his belt.
    “I don’t think he should be rushing because he has his time that he doesn’t have to fight mandatories.
    “But if he is retired the belt is something that the WBC need to look at it.
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    “But how many times has this bloke retired and come back. He will probably be fighting Thor Bjornsson next week.”
    Fury first retired in April after knocking out Dillian Whyte, 34, at Wembley Stadium.
    But he has been linked with returning to challenge the winner between Usyk, 35, and Joshua, 32.
    Despite that, Fury instead called out Chisora, 38, and former world’s strongest man Bjornsson, 34, who has had four boxing exhibitions.
    The heavyweight star is still yet to vacate his WBC belt and has until August 26 to confirm in writing whether he plans to fight again.
    If he does, a first ever four-belt heavyweight undisputed bout awaits, something Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum is ready to negotiate.
    Arum said to Sky Sports: “It’s really the only fight that makes sense for Tyson Fury.
    “I’ve discussed this with my co-promoter of Fury, Frank Warren, and once this fight is over we’re going to put together a total unification match between the winner and Tyson Fury.
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    “Now, if Usyk wins the fight, which I expect, that will be quite easy to do because we’re very close to the Usyk people as they’re the same people who manage Vasiliy Lomachenko who fights for us.
    “If Joshua wins, Eddie Hearn is his promoter. We’ve talked many times with Hearn about various matches and I’m sure we’ll be able to come together on this one.”
    Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua ahead of their rematchCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

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    Meet Ramla Ali, the first woman ever to box in Saudi Arabia on Anthony Joshua undercard who is refugee and model

    RAMLA ALI is the history-making boxer whose story began after fleeing war-torn Somalia as a baby. Ali is an Olympian, model, activist and author, who is also set to become the first women fighter to compete in Saudi Arabia on the Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard.
    Ramla Ali will become the first women to box in Saudi ArabiaCredit: PA
    Ramla Ali has modelled for DiorCredit: Getty
    The featherweight is 6-0 as a professionalCredit: https://www.instagram.com/ramlaali/
    But the 32-year-old’s journey started before she was even a year old when her family made the brave call to flee Somalia for the UK.
    Her elder brother had been killed by a bomb, aged just 12, during the civil war in the early 1990s.
    And Ali’s family escaped the capital Mogadishu following a nine-day boat journey to Kenya.
    Some died of starvation on the way although Ali’s family eventually found refuge in London.
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    They settled in Whitechapel, East London, but in her teens Ali was bullied for being overweight.
    She took it upon herself to join a boxercise class at a local gym.
    But she did not tell her family, fearing they would disapprove of the sport for a Muslim girl.
    Ali would go on to win novice and elite titles, but her success meant her boxing secret was exposed.
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    She told Stylist in 2020: “I sort of knew they wouldn’t agree with it.
    “I told my younger brother because he was one of the cool ones – I think I needed an ally.
    “The rest of the family found out when my older brother saw me fighting on TV.
    “It was quite annoying, because I had specifically asked for that fight not to be shown.
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    “When I got home, the whole family was gathered in the living room – I guess you could call it an intervention.
    “Obviously they didn’t think a woman should be boxing, so they asked me to stop.”
    A defiant Ali, perhaps inspired by her own families journey to freedom, eventually won them over, including her mum.
    Ramla Ali only started boxing to lose weightCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    She did not even tell her family she started boxingCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    Ramla Ali won novice and elite amateur titlesCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    She said to BBC Sport: “A couple years ago we had a sort of turning point.
    “I got a phone call from her to wish me good luck in the tournament that I was going to in Denmark.
    “It was honestly the best feeling in the world, knowing that somebody that I love so much has taken an interest in something that I love so much.
    “She’s so supportive now. She hasn’t watched me compete live – she will wait until the next day to watch it on YouTube.”
    Ali initially boxed for England at international amateur level but changed to represent Somalia.
    And despite turning professional in 2020, a year later at the delayed Tokyo Olympics, she represented Somalia but lost in her opening bout.
    Despite Ali’s impressive boxing portfolio, she is equally as successful outside of the ring.

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    Ramla Ali boxed in the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
    The boxer modelling for CartierCredit: Getty
    Ramla Ali has a charity of her ownCredit: https://www.instagram.com/ramlaali/
    The super-bantamweight has modelled for Dior, Cartier and Nike, while featuring on several magazine covers.
    In 2019, she was one of 15 picked by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, to star on the front of the September issue of British Vogue.
    Ali is a UK Unicef ambassador and three years ago taught boxing to young girls at a refugee camp in Jordan.
    The humanitarian also runs her own non-profit all-women self-defence group called Sisters Club, which has the backing of Nike.
    To top if off, last year Ali released her own book, Ten Steps to Becoming Your Own Champion.
    Her popularity and personality has shone in the pro ranks and she stole the show in July at the O2 Arena.
    Derek Chisora, 38, beat Kubrat Pulev, 41, in the main-event but Ali’s win over Agustina Rojas drew the most fanfare.
    Ramla Ali’s non-profit organisation Sisters ClubCredit: https://www.instagram.com/ramlaali/
    Ramla Ali beat Marisa Belen Rojas in her last fightCredit: Getty
    She said: “I only had to put out the flyer and within 72 hours I’d sold 500 tickets. It was insane.”
    Ali now takes her talents to Saudi Arabia this Saturday, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
    She faces Crystal Garcia in what will be the first sanctioned women’s boxing bout in Saudi.
    Ali said: “It’s a huge honour. This is a one-time thing.
    “No-one else will be the first, and for myself and for my opponent, both our names will be cemented in history. It’s an incredible feeling.”
    Joshua’s world title rematch in the Middle East nation has drawn criticism due to Saudi’s poor human rights records and treatment of women.
    But Ali responded: “You can’t fault a country who are trying to make change. This isn’t just a gimmick of ‘let’s stick on women’ and whatever.
    “If I am trying to fight for women’s rights, why wouldn’t I support a country who is trying to make change, who is trying to change women’s rights.”
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    The only thing missing from Ali’s sensational lists of achievements is a world title in the pro ranks – another piece of history she eyes.
    She said:  “I want to become a world champion. I hope in doing so people will develop a better view of Somalia.”
    Ramla Ali ahead of her fight in Saudi ArabiaCredit: PA More