Yamileth Mercado celebrates after his fight with Ramla Ali at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Melina Pizano/Game Room)
Yamileth Mercado turned the icon to protect his throne.
The long-time WBC 122-pound titlist outworked Ramla Ali over ten rounds. The scores were 98-92, 98-93 and 97-93 f0r Mercado in their title fight broadcast by DAZN on Saturday at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Mercado, The Ring's No. 2-rated junior featherweight, who won his seventh successful title.
The opening round told the story of how both planned to outdo the other. Mercado set a strong pace and stayed busy. Ali landed some very effective punches, but it took a round to get his offense cleared.
Ali earned his spot in the second round. The iconic boxer—a refugee from Somalia who is also a popular activist and model—took a jab at one point but knocked Mercado down with a left hook. His entry into that two-minute frame pleased head coach Manny Robles, who asked for the continuation of mixed boxing.
Mercado continued to come forward and hoped to steal rounds while Ali's punches were relatively low. The long-dominant defensive line provided constant lateral movement and worked his way inside. The strategy proved effective in the middle rounds, though none of his powerful shots had any real impact on his opponent.
Ali regained control in the seventh and eighth rounds. He was able to time Mercado's entry, which created opportunities for his long right hand. Mercado missed with a right hand and was left open for a right and left hook by Ali.
The action got sloppy in the ninth round, a development that was met with an enthusiastic crowd. Mercado fought with a sense of urgency but was met with the usual challenges by Ali. The tactic was handled by referee Thomas Taylor, but in the form of a mild warning. Mercado landed right hands as he went forward but ended the exchange with a left hook.
Seeing his first title win within reach, Ali closed out powerfully in the tenth and final round. Mercado never broke form, giving an element of predictability to his approach. Ali timed Mercado and hit left hooks. Mercado tried to force his will, which was enough when the cards were announced.
Mercado threw and landed more punches (98-of-369 to Ali's 97-of-310) as he went 24-3 (5 knockouts). Ali (9-2, 2 KOs) landed the higher percentage (31.3% to 26.6%). In the end, it is not enough to be the first Somali athlete to win a major title.
Mercado has held the WBC 122-pound title since Nov. 2019. His only defeat in the last six years came on Aug. 2021. Mercado dropped a ten-round decision to Amanda Serrano in an unsuccessful bid to dethrone the featherweight queen.
The goal now is to bridge the gap. Ellie Scotney (9-0, 0 KOs) is the champion of The Ring and holds the IBF and WBO belts. Mexico City's Erika Cruz (17-2-1, 3 KOs), ranked No. 3 at 122, holds the WBA title.
The fight came in support of the Juan Francisco Estrada-Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez RING/WBC 115-pound tournament.
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