Laila Amaria Ali (born December 30, 1977) is an American television personality and former professional boxer who competed from 1999 to 2007. She is the daughter of Muhammad Ali and is the eighth of her father’s nine children.

Everybody knows Muhammad Ali as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in the boxing world. So, it is not surprising that one of his offspring followed in his footsteps. And that is just what his daughter did. At the age of 21, Laila announced that she was going to enter the boxing world. Ironically, her father expressed his dissatisfaction, saying that it is a very dangerous sport especially for women. Despite this, Laila went on to win her first bout by knockout within 30 seconds of the first round.

Ali/Frazier IV:

Laila Ali also got to fight Joe Frazier’s (also a boxing legend and Ali’s arch nemesis) daughter, Jackie Frazier-Lyde in 2001. The fight was known as Ali/Frazier IV as an indirect reference to their fathers’ trilogy fight. This fight is also the first ever pay-per-view fight headlined by women. Laila won the eight round fight by decision.

Championships

2012: AOCA Awakening Outstanding Contribution Award

2005/2007: WBC World Super Middleweight title (two defenses)

2002/2007: WIBA World Super Middleweight title (five defenses)

2004: IWBF Female Light Heavyweight title

2002/2004: IWBF Female Super Middleweight title (two defenses)

2002/2004: IBA Female Super Middleweight title (four defenses)

Book:

In 2002, Laila Ali wrote (with co-author David Ritz) the book Reach! Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power, meant to motivate and inspire young people. In this book, she confides that she felt isolated at times because of her parents’ fame. Ali has also spent some time in jail, and describes her arrests and the physical abuse she experienced in jail. Critics say that Ali’s book has a good foundation but she does not give the readers advice; rather, she just talks about her own experiences.

Laila Ali retired with an undefeated record in 24 fights, with 21 knockouts.