Son leaving girl to become fighter (3)
I believe the answer is:
ali
'fighter' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Old fighter' mean 'ali' so perhaps 'fighter' could also mean 'ali')
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ali that I've seen before include "Dickens novel" , "Muhammad or Baba?" , "Cassius Clay became Muhammad ..." , "Muhammad - - , legendary boxer" , "Egyptian name" .)