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With the tragic passing of Muhammad Ali, this week’s spotlight had to be someone that would honor him. There i no one better for this week’s spotlight other than Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali. Laila was like her father in so many ways and that’s why she was a perfect choice.
Laila Ali is the daughter of Muhammad Ali and his third wife, Veronica Porsche Ali. She is Ali’s youngest daughter and the eighth out of his nine children. She began working as a manicurist when she was 16 which lead to her getting her business degree from Santa Monica College in California. After graduating, she purchased her own nail salon.
She is most famously known for her professional boxing career. At age 18, she announced to the world that she would be pursuing a career in professional boxing. Her father was very unhappy with the decision, but she reassured him that she had his genes and that she would be fighting women. Ali’s first professional fight didn’t occur until she was 21 years old in 1999. Her first fight against April Fowler would result in her first win by knockout. Her second fight would be a win by TKO and she would continue to dominate, winning her next eight fights in a row.
One of her most popular fights occurred in 2001. She was facing off against Jackie Frazier-Lyde, daughter of Joe Frazier, former opponent of Muhammad Ali. The fight earned the nickname Ali/Frazier IV obviously in reference to the fight between the women’s fathers. Ali would beat Frazier in eight rounds and their match would become the first pay-per-view fight of two women.
Ali continued to fight until 2007, retiring at the age of 29. While she only fought 24 fights, she was undefeated in all of them and won 21 of them via knockout. Ali has received criticism over the years because many believed that she failed to fight the best of the best in women’s boxing, but she denies this. She cites that the best female boxers were always afraid to fight her, knowing that their name would lose value after she beat them.
After her retirement, Ali transitioned to working on television. One of her biggest moments on television was her time on Dancing With The Stars in 2007. Although she didn’t have any dancing experience, she placed third overall in the competition. She has appeared on Chopped: All Stars, The Early Show and was chosen as a cast member of the 2016Â season of Celebrity Apprentice. Ali is also the host of her own show, All In With Laila Ali and Late Night Chef Fight.
In 2002, Ali wrote a book entitled, Reach! Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power. The book is meant to be a motivational tool for young people. An interesting fact that people might not know is that she is friends with Hulk Hogan. Hogan credits Ali with saving his life after he felt suicidal. She is married to former NFL player, Curtis Conway who she has two children with. She shared pictures with her children and her father after his passing. You can find them here.
