Ramla Ali (9-1, 2 KO’s) got tonight’s action underway in Monaco by producing a career best performance to outpoint Julissa Alejandra Guzman (13-3-2, 7 KO’s) in their super bantamweight rematch. 

Guzman knocked Ali out in spectacular fashion in June and carried herself with confidence throughout fight week. As the opening bell sounded, the Mexican stormed off her stool, working behind her heavy left hand and looking to instantly remind Ali of the power she possesses. 

Rather than staying safe and attempting to draw Guzman’s sting, Ali found herself involved in a fight from the opening bell. Guzman came forward behind a heavy jab and looked to land left hooks to body and head. 

Ali found a perfect right hand midway through the second round and surprisingly looked to take the fight to Guzman. Ali’s shots seemed to have little effect on Guzman who steadily walked forward and got Ali’s attention with a left hook and right hand in the third. Ali was able to find a regular home for her right hand but she was choosing to neglect her footwork which was so much sharper than Guzman's. 

As the fight entered the fifth, Ali seemed to have found some rhythm but suddenly Guzman hurt her with a left hook that landed high on the head and realizing the effect it had, followed it up with a right hand. 

Ali boxed smartly in the sixth but suddenly seemed wary of Guzman’s power. The realization sharpened her senses. She began to box and move. 

Guzman did pick a nice lead right uppercut but now Ali was timing her attacks better, holding her feet less frequently and rationing her attacks. The right hand was still her best weapon and suddenly Guzman began to look one paced and pedestrian. Ali began to pick Guzman apart with the jab in the seventh and made Guzman pay for her slow feet by landing that solid right hand and rolling out time and tie again.

Guzman came out for the eighth with urgency. Ali felt a couple of heavy right hands and concentrated on keeping Guzman occupied with a jab and moving her feet. It wasn’t a complicated gameplan but it worked.

Out of ideas, Guzman continued to plod forward but by now, Ali had found the key to victory. Every time Guzman planted her feet and looked to let her power shots go, Ali was already gone. 

After ten rounds, all three judges scored the fight 96-94 in Ali’s favor.