Yamileth Mercado vs. Ramla Ali: Live round-by-round updates

Yamileth Mercado vs. Ramla Ali will go down later tonight at the Footprint Center, in Phoenix, Florida, with the WBC women's super bantamweight title on the line.

Mercado's (23-3) career is on an uptrend. She is undefeated in her last five outings and most recently claimed the WBC belt in a unanimous decision win over Linda Laura Lecca.

Even her losses have come against top-tier competition. For context, she last failed to get her hand raised in a featherweight title bout against women's boxing legend and seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano.

Meanwhile, Ali (9-1) is far less experienced in professional boxing compared to her opponent. However, the 34-year-old is a former IBF women's intercontinental super bantamweight champion and boasts a decorated amateur career.

She is 4-1 in her last five. In her most recent outing, she avenged her KO loss to Julissa Alejandra Guzman by clinching a unanimous decision win against the Mexican.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Mercado is a -260 favorite over Ali (+200 underdog) for the matchup.

Stick with Sportskeeda for live coverage and play-by-play updates from Yamileth Mercado vs. Ramla Ali.

Watch Yamileth Mercado and Ramla Ali face off below:

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Yamileth Mercado vs. Ramla Ali

Round 1

The champion pushes the action employing quick jabs, keeping her opponent at a distance. Ali shifts the momentum as is now the aggressor. Mercado connects with a good left hand.

A good opening round for the defending champion as she managed to catch her opponent multiple times, trying to close distance.

Round 2

Ali is finding it hard to close distance as she gets stung with crisp jabs by the champion. A good punch down the pipe for the champion. She continues with a one-two combo.

A looping left hand followed by a two-punch combo for the champion. Wow!!! A big right hand over the top lands for Ali in the closing moments.

The challenger might just have stolen the round.

Round 3

Both fighters trade from near the rope with Ali eating the more number of shots. Ali is constantly putting pressure on her opponent, trying to force Mercado to fight on her back foot. A powerful left-hand lands for the champion.

A right to the body lands for Mercado. A jab followed by a right hand lands for the challenger. The champion closes the round landing a multi-punch combo.

Round 4

Ali stings the champion with a quick jab. The champion slips and falls down after an exchange. As the fight continues the champion seems to be banking on single power punches while Ali is the busier fighter. Mercado gets hits multiple times to the head as the pair trades in the center of the ring.

Mercado pushes pace putting her opponent on the back foot. A very close round. A slight edge for Ali.

Round 5

Ali is doing a good job utilizing her range. Her jab has been money tonight. A crip one two partially lands for the champion. A powerful left hand lands for Mercado, and she follows up with an uppercut.

The champion connects multiple times to the head. Ali is showing very little head movement, her head is effectively a bull's eye for her opponent.

Round 6

Mercado seems to have adjusted to her opponent's pace, her punches are a bit smoother, and she is landing her one-twos with little effort. However, Ali's pace is still forcing the champion to fight on the back foot.

Mercado is effortlessly, pouncing in and out, landing punches. But Ali is also catching her opponent with jabs while she closes the distance.

A good round for Mercado.

Round 7

Ali is still on the front foot. Both fighters connect in the center of the ring. Ali stuns her opponent with a left hook. A left hand up top lands for the champion. Ali ducks under a right hook and lands a crushing body shot. This is anyone's fight folks.

Round 8

The champion comes out swinging with intent. Both fighters land one-twos. Ali gets stung with an overhand right. A left hook by the champion dazes Ali.

The challenge tags the champion with a left hook of her own, however, the champion returns fire. Accidental head bu momentarily stops the fight. At the ten-second mark, Mercado chases her opponent to the corner, unloading a barrage on her opponent.

Round 9

The referee intervenes multiple times owing to excessive clinching. Mercado complains about rabbit punches. Mercado pushes the pace on her opponent with one-twos, but Ali is clinching up every time the champion tries to string in a combination.

A good right hand by Ali and the champion returns fire with a hook of her own, up top.

Round 10

A very close fight, it might all come down to this final round. Mercado connects with a right hook. A big left hook lands for Ali. The champion pushes back her foe with a flurry.

Double jab land for the challenger. Mercado seems to have let go of all technique and is throwing wild shots at her opponent. A good right hand up top lands for the challenger.

A close round to close out a close fight. Stay tuned for the official decision. However, Ali might have a slight edge this round.

Official Decision: Yamileth Mercado def. Ramla Ali via unanimous decision. (98-92,98-93,97-93)

Check out the official decision below: