Boxing great Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Laila Ali, took over Suzy Taylor on August 17, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada to claim her first world title at super-middleweight in the highly anticipated women’s boxing contest. However, her father, ‘The Greatest heavyweight champion of all time,’ never wanted her daughter to lace gloves and step inside the boxing ring.

On Thursday, October 13, ‘Pretty Baby’ took to Instagram and shared the highlights of her first world title shot. Along with the clip, she narrated a long story in the caption. Which starts with, “Many of you aren’t familiar with me as a Boxer…”

Notably, it’s true to some extent, but as of now, Ali is a recognizable face in woman’s boxing.

Her success story inspired many female boxers to take the sport which was earlier considered a man’s sport. Starting late, Ali managed to leave her impression in the ring in a brief span of time. Being the daughter of boxing’s biggest draw, there was enormous pressure on her shoulders and she handled it in her own iconic style.

Boxing World Feels ‘Sorry’ as ‘Haunting Last Portrait of Muhammad Ali’ Surfaces

Interestingly, the 44-year-old never wanted to become a boxer at an early stage of her life. She was not even into any sport. In spite of this, she went down in history as one of the greatest female boxers of all time.

Laila Ali’s journey to becoming champion

The Hall of Famer developed her interest in boxing when she was 18 and it was not because of her father. Well, then, what inspired Ali to lace up gloves against her father’s will?

According to her, Christy Martin’s fight on Mike Tyson’s undercard in 1996 inspired her to take the sport. It was then she fell in love with the sport for the first time and decided to become a professional.

Trending

After Comparing Mike Tyson to a ‘Snake,’ Evander Holyfield Warns Jake Paul: “Everybody Gets Knocked Out Going Backwards”

May 16, 2024 07:45 PM EDT

Mark Chamberlain vs. Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab Stats Comparison and Prediction: Record, Age, Height, Reach, Weight, and Knockout Ratio

May 16, 2024 04:58 PM EDT

Floyd Mayweather Finally Breaks Silence on ‘Stuck in Dubai’ Rumors Peddled by Gervonta Davis

May 17, 2024 04:36 PM EDT

Moses Itauma vs. Ilja Mezencev Stats Comparison and Prediction: Record, Age, Height, Reach, Weight, and Knockout Ratio

May 14, 2024 03:57 AM EDT

Boxing Fight Tonight: Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk Date, Time, Venue, Tickets, and PPV Price

May 18, 2024 09:52 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Boxing stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“I was inspired by watching @christymartinpromotions when she fought on @miketyson undercard in 1996. I trained for one year, 6 days week. Did not compete as an amateur, turned pro…and did all my learning with the world watching. My father was against it. I did it anyway”, Ali wrote in the caption.

However, she was adamant and began her boxing journey. The decision she took made her an icon in female boxing.

She retired undefeated in 2007. In a career span of less than 10 years, she took female boxing to another level.

What do you think of Ali’s warrior spirit? Do you think woman’s boxing is doing good in the current scenario? Let us know in the comments below.

WATCH THIS STORY –  Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua Trilogy & Other Potential Opponents for Andy Ruiz Jr. Following Magnificent Victory Over Luiz Ortiz