It’s not uncommon to see children of professional athletes follow in the footsteps of their parents. This was proved after boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s daughter laced up her gloves and took on boxing as a profession. Laila Ali competed in 24 bouts retiring with an undefeated record in 2007.
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However, it wasn’t her father that inspired her to take up boxing. In an interview with Oprah, she revealed that seeing women boxing on her television is what made her compete in the ring. “A lot of people assume I started fighting because my father was a fighter. And I actually didn’t have the idea to even step into the ring until I saw women’s boxing on television for the first time. I mean, they walked out of the ring with blood all over them and everything, and I was like, ‘That’s for me! I want to do that.'” She said.
Following this, her father surprisingly didn’t want her to compete in the ring like him. She added that when word got around that she had taken up boxing, her father did his best to prevent her from fighting, but it didn’t work. “Of course, he did everything he could to talk me out of it indirectly. It didn’t work,” she added.
Muhammad Ali got to witness the dangers that come with boxing during his career. This might have been the reason he tried to stop his daughter from pursuing the sport as a career.
Muhammad Ali reveals he was scared after boxing for the first time
In an interview with Oprah, the G.O.A.T. admitted that he was scared and nervous to step into the ring for the first time in his life. Ali was just 12 years old when he first stepped into the ring, which naturally garnered a feeling of fear in him. “I was nervous and scared. I was shaking,” he said. However, he then stated that he would visit the gym when asked if he ever returned after this experience. “Yes—every night for a month. I loved it,” he added.
Imago
Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali stands over Sonny Liston and taunts him to get up during their title fight. Ali knocked Liston out in one minute in the first round during their bout at the Central Maine Youth Center in Lewiston, Maine.
Following this, Ali would reach heights never seen before in boxing. He would go on to win the junior Olympics and Golden Gloves competition. Moreover, this would turn out to be the best decision of his life as he left his mark on the sport, leaving it as the best to ever do it.
What did you think about Laila’s motivation to box? Let us know in the comments.
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Ajinkya Aswale