Muhammad Ali is one of the legendary names in boxing history. Few people know, however, that the daughter of this boxing icon followed in her father’s footsteps. Laila Ali is now a retired professional boxer. Was she as impressive as her father? Did she achieve comparable success in this sport? Here, we invite you to discover the biography of the boxer Laila Ali.
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Birth in Florida
Laila Ali was born on December 30, 1977, in Miami, Florida. She is one of the two daughters that Muhammad Ali had with his third wife, Veronica Porsche Ali. She is part of the legendary boxer’s family of nine children. She lived a normal and stable life with her mother and sister, completing her studies with a business degree from Santa Monica College in California.
Glorious Beginnings in Boxing
Laila Ali decided to train as a boxer at the age of 18. She was primarily inspired by Christy Martin, a prominent figure of that time. Muhammad Ali always expressed his dislike for Laila’s decision to become a boxer, considering it a dangerous path for her. Despite her father’s hesitations, Laila continued her training, eventually making her official debut in 1999 in Verona, New York.
In her first professional Middleweight boxing match, she defeated April Fowler in just 31 seconds. The portrait of a future champion began to emerge. Three thousand fans from upstate New York were there to witness the match, along with numerous journalists.
The Making of a Great Boxer
After her first, easily-won match, fans wondered if Laila Ali could confirm her talent or if her initial victory was just a stroke of luck. In her second fight, Laila Ali defeated Shadina Pennybaker, who was just a beginner in the sport. However, the youngest daughter of Muhammad Ali would quickly prove her power by winning six more fights. The image of a great athlete following in her father’s footsteps was solidified, despite a brief scare in 2000 when Karen Bill knocked her down with an uppercut in the second round.
Fight Against Jackie Frazier
After her eight victories in as many fights, fans began calling for a match between Laila Ali and Jackie Frazier, the daughter of Joe Frazier, who had also been a professional boxer for a few years. The match generated so much buzz that it was eventually scheduled for June 8, 2001, in New York State.
The entire state of New York, and boxing fans across the USA, awaited this match eagerly. The event attracted a large crowd, and they were not disappointed. The fight went the full distance, with Laila Ali claiming victory over Frazier by judge’s decision. Both celebrities ended the match on friendly terms, smiling. This match gained international attention, and Muhammad Ali’s daughter increased her popularity in the boxing world following her victory.
A Boxer with Her Father’s Temperament
If there’s one thing Laila and Muhammad Ali have in common, it’s their character. Like her father, Laila Ali has a strong personality, which likely shaped her boxing profile. Determination and fierce resolve are part of her nature, making her an athlete who never backs down and never seems intimidated in the ring. Just like Muhammad Ali, Laila is known for her trash talk and doesn’t hesitate to tease her opponents before stepping into the ring.
Laila Ali, Multiple World Champion
Although her fight against Jackie is Laila Ali’s most well-known event, her career is filled with success. Laila Ali accumulated victories in the boxing world and claimed multiple world titles, in the middleweight division and beyond. Here are the titles won by one of the greatest champions in women’s boxing history:
- IBA Middleweight Champion from 2002 to 2004
- IWBF Super Middleweight title from 2002 to 2004
- IWBF Light Heavyweight title in 2004
- WIBA Super Middleweight title from 2002 to 2007
- WBC (World Boxing Council) title, the most prestigious, from 2005 to 2007
In other words, Muhammad Ali’s daughter achieved everything possible. Even better, she remained undefeated, securing 24 victories throughout her career.
Final Fight and Retirement in 2007
Laila Ali faced her final opponent in Johannesburg, South Africa, in a match against Gwendolyn O’Neil in 2007. The victory was quickly awarded to Laila Ali, who defeated her opponent in the first round with a TKO.
At the end of an impressive career that marked women’s professional boxing, Laila Ali decided to retire. Having claimed all possible titles and defeated the greatest opponents of her time, she had nothing left to prove. Laila Ali proved her father wrong, as he had always been skeptical, even reluctant, about her following in his footsteps.
A Trailblazer in Women’s Boxing
Laila Ali made significant contributions to promoting and popularizing women’s boxing. The world of women’s boxing was different before and after Laila. Although she owes part of her popularity to her father, Laila Ali undeniably earned her success, with her talent and achievements speaking for themselves.
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