It was on October 8, 1999, at the Turning Stone Casino Convention Center in Verona, New York; Laila Ali made her professional boxing debut. Her opponent, April Fowler of Michigan City, Indiana. After that, in the Super Middleweight division, she reigned supreme for nearly a decade.

Laila Amaria Ali fought twenty-four matches throughout her professional career. She was undefeated, with twenty-one wins coming through a knockout. Laila won the IBA Super Middleweight championship in 2002 and claimed the WIBF and WIBA crowns the following year. After that, Muhammad Ali’s daughter took the next step, and in 2004 she became the first woman to win the WIBF Light Heavyweight championship. Laila finally hung up her gloves in 2007. Muhammad Ali’s daughter won her last fight by knockout in the first round against Gwendolyn O’Neil. Right from childhood, she shared her legendary father’s acclaimed aggression – inside and outside the ring. She often had to pay the price for that famed surname of hers.

A passion for fights

ESPN’s show Quite Frankly debuted on August 1, 2005. Hosted by renowned sports journalist and pundit Stephen A. Smith, knowledgeable guests and strong opinions were the hallmarks of the show. On November 6, 2006, Smith interviewed Laila Ali in one of the episodes.

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After the essential introductions, Stephen got straight to the point and asked, “How as a woman as fine as yourself boxing? What are you doing getting hit potentially scarred up your face, messing with the beauty that is you?” 

With a smile on her face, Laila responded, “Well, you know it’s just in my blood, you know, and I think that’s what a lot of people have a hard time understanding; a lot of people haven’t accepted, um that I just love to fight you know it’s just in my blood.”

Laila Ali knew most people could barely match her

Curious now, Stephen asked, since when her love for fighting began. Laila, without batting an eye, said, “I’am undefeated on the streets too just put it like that right.” The famous reporter naturally wanted to know why she was battling strangers on the sidewalk. Laila explained that growing up as Muhammad Ali’s daughter; high school students viewed her self-assurance as arrogance. But the reality, she added, was it had nothing to do with her famous father.

Stephen Smith asked, “What did you try to hide that I mean I’m quite sure there’s a whole bunch of woman that would want to beat you up just cuz of your father?” Laila Ali answered, “But they can’t that’s the bottom line.”

Muhammad Ali reportedly opposed his daughter boxing. Laila wouldn’t budge despite his attempts to reason with her. She’s one of the few champions to retire with all her titles.

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