feature-image

Imago

feature-image

Imago

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers to have stepped into the ring. His daughter, Laila Ali, on the other hand, let her career become an impeccable encomium to her father’s legacy. However, things were not always a bed of roses between ‘The Greatest’ and his daughter. And they often saw each other in the midst of an ocean of disagreements. In fact, Ali once opened up about the time her religious father called her out for ‘living in sin’.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

ADVERTISEMENT

‘She Bee Stingin’ was a guest on the ‘Rich Roll Podcast‘ hosted by the ultra-endurance athlete and public speaker, Rich Roll, in 2019. The duo spoke about Ali’s career and her relationship with her father.

ADVERTISEMENT

Muhammad Ali did not like his daughter’s way of living

In conversation, Roll asked Ali about the background behind her disagreements with her legendary father. This was when Ali revealed that their difference in opinion about religion was the base of their arguments. She said,  “So I remember, first of all, I’m not Muslim. That was big. You saw how much, in the movie. If you haven’t watched it before, you know my dad’s whole life is based around his religion.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Ali mentioned that as an 8-year-old she had told her father that she did not wish to be a Muslim. Her father, however, was not pleased with her decision. And also went on to blame her troubles for straying away from her religion.

article-image

Imago

Moreover, she delved into an incident that took place after she got older. Ali said, “When I was 18 I moved out of the house. And I moved in with a boyfriend. It wasn’t so much about I’m worried about you, and you’re too young and you’re living with a guy. And was just like you’re living in sin. It was a religious thing again.”

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE – Not in Favor of Laila Ali’s “Skin Showing,” Muhammad Ali Discouraged His Daughter From Boxing

ADVERTISEMENT

She further revealed that the same led to an altercation between her father and herself.

Laila Ali was not ‘daddy’s girl’

ADVERTISEMENT

Ali also mentioned that while she adored her father, they often found themselves in disaccord. She said, “Me and my father are so alike but so different. And we’ve always been like, people just assume butting heads. People just assume that I’m daddy’s girl and all that and I’m so not. I’m last, you know there’s nine of us.”

Additionally, she also stated that even though she was the youngest of Ali’s biological children. She was the feistiest of the lot and the most challenging child for him.

WATCH THIS STORY – Five Most Bizarre Rituals in Boxing

ADVERTISEMENT

What are your thoughts on Ali’s statements about her father? Let us know in the comments below.

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Joshua Ben Joseph

931 Articles

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer at EssentiallySports, renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Shibu Immanuel

ADVERTISEMENT