Where are They now: Laila Ali

 

Legendary women’s boxer Laila Ali comes from a strong boxing background. Her father being Muhammad Ali, which is considered the greatest boxer of all-time gave the fight gene to his daughter. Her father had one hell of a career and daughter Laila enjoyed the stories and footage of her father’s success and wanted to follow suit. She then did it in 1999 when she turned 21 years old, Ali decided to go pro. Father Muhammad Ali wasn’t sure about his daughter’s decision to fight in a very dangerous sport, but she did it anyway. I can tell you that she didn’t disappoint. Her first win was a KO in the first round against April Fowler (Laila Ali, 2010). Then people took notice of her grittiness and her fierce approach to boxing.

Many people wanted to see young Ali fight because her father Muhammad legend and that was his daughter. So Ali got much publicity in her early career. But once she started to prove her worth the media and fans didn’t think about her being the daughter of Muhammad Ali. They thought of her a just a great women’s boxer. When Ali stepped in the ring you can just tell that the opponent was so intimated by her 5’10” body and the look in her eye. She was out for blood! She knocked out many of her opponents while capturing different title belts such as IWBF, WIBA and WBC. Ali left the game on top by having a undefeated career going 24-0.

When there is success comes criticism. Ali was criticized for ducking the top contenders for many years. The media felt that she only fought people she could just beat up. I think that isn’t true at all. She did fight the best of the best in her time, so I’m not really buying into all the opinions and gossip. They said the same about Floyd Mayweather and look what he has done. Ali looked up to her boxing idol in Christy Martin and then defeated her back in 2003. As I always say they build you up to tear you down. With a outstanding boxing, television and business career there isn’t anything that Ali can’t conquer. You can see her now on television commercials such as Subways and show American Gladiators with Hulk Hogan. Her beauty speaks for itself and she left the ring at the right time to do other ventures in marketing opportunities with Dove and her own skin care line.