Short female boxer? (3)

I believe the answer is:

ali

This clue might be a double definition.

'short female' is the first definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'boxer?' is the second definition.
(Muhammad Ali)

(Other definitions for ali that I've seen before include "US heavyweight boxer" , "Champion boxer" , "Muhammad or Baba?" , "Old fighter" , "Ringmaster" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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