Laila Ali
Laila Ali | |
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Born | Laila Amaria Ali December 30, 1977 Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. |
Alma mater | Santa Monica College |
Spouses | |
Children | 2 |
Parent |
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Relatives |
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Boxing career | |
Other names | She Bee Stingin'[1] Madame Butterfly Pretty Baby |
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | Super middleweight Light heavyweight |
Height | 5 ft 9+3⁄4 in (177.2 cm)[1] |
Reach | 70+1⁄2 in (179 cm)[1] |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 24 |
Wins | 24 |
Wins by KO | 21 |
Losses | 0 |
Laila Amaria Ali (born December 30, 1977) is an American television personality and retired
Early life
Laila Amaria Ali was born December 30, 1977, in
Boxing career
Ali began boxing when she was 18 years old, after having first noticed women's boxing when watching a
Attention to Ali's ring debut was further boosted because it occurred on the eve of what was supposed to be the first male-female professional bout ever to be sanctioned by a US state boxing commission – later ruled an exhibition. As WomenBoxing.com explains: "The near-alignment of the two events focused more attention on female professional boxing than there had been since Christy Martin's 1996
Ali captured nine wins in a row and many boxing fans expressed a desire to see her square off in a boxing ring with George Foreman's daughter, Freeda Foreman, or Joe Frazier's daughter, Jacqui Frazier-Lyde. On the evening of June 8, 2001, Ali and Frazier finally met. The fight was nicknamed Ali/Frazier IV in allusion to their fathers' famous fight trilogy. Ali won by a majority judges' decision in eight rounds (79–73, 77–75, 76–76). Frazier-Lyde ended the fight with a swollen eye while Ali had a fractured left collarbone and a bloodied nose. This match by Ali and Frazier was the first main-event pay-per-view match between two women. After a year's hiatus, on June 7, 2002, Ali beat Shirvelle Williams in a six-round decision.[17]
She won the IBA title with a second-round knockout of Suzette Taylor on August 17, 2002, in Las Vegas.[18] On November 8, she retained that title and unified the crown by adding the WIBA and IWBF belts with an eight-round TKO win over her division's other world champion, Valerie Mahfood, in Las Vegas. Ali stopped a bloodied Mahfood in eight rounds.[19] On June 21, 2003, Mahfood and Ali fought a rematch, this time in Los Angeles. Once again bloodied by Ali, Mahfood lost by TKO in six rounds while trying to recover her world title. Nevertheless, Ali suffered a bad cut on her right eyelid for the first time in her career, inflicted by Mahfood. Ali also suffered a bloodied nose for the second time in her career during this fight, the first being in Ali's fight with Frazier-Lyde two years previously.[20] On August 23, 2003, Ali fought her original inspiration, Christy Martin, beating Martin by a knockout in four rounds.[21] On July 17, 2004, Ali retained her world title, knocking out Nikki Eplion in four rounds.[22]
On July 30, 2004, she stopped
On June 11, 2005, on the undercard to the Tyson-Kevin McBride fight, Ali defeated Erin Toughill in round three to remain undefeated and won the World Boxing Council title in addition to defending her WIBA crown.[26] She was the second woman to win a WBC title (Jackie Nava was the first).[27] Toughill and Ali disliked each other, and prior to the fight Toughill joked about Ali. Ali promised she would punish Toughill, much like her father did with Ernie Terrell back in 1967.[26] On December 17, 2005, in Berlin, Ali fought and defeated Åsa Sandell by TKO in the fifth round. Following Ali's hard right to Sandell's face with 17 seconds remaining in Round 5, Sandell was struck by numerous undefended shots to her head. The referee stopped the bout with 12 seconds remaining. Muhammad Ali was in attendance and kissed his daughter.[28]
While a guest on Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith on June 7, 2006, Ali announced that she would be making a world tour, and said that she was looking forward to fighting
Professional boxing record
24 fights | 24 wins | 0 losses |
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By knockout | 21 | 0 |
By decision | 3 | 0 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
24 | Win | 24–0 | Gwendolyn O'Neil | TKO | 1 (10), 0:56 | Feb 3, 2007 | Kempton Park , South Africa
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Retained WBC female and WIBA super middleweight titles |
23 | Win | 23–0 | Shelley Burton | TKO | 4 (10), 1:58 | Nov 11, 2006 | New York City, New York , U.S.
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Retained WBC female and WIBA super middleweight titles |
22 | Win | 22–0 | Åsa Sandell | TKO | 5 (10), 1:51 | Dec 17, 2005 | Berlin, Germany | |
21 | Win | 21–0 | Erin Toughill | TKO | 3 (10), 1:54 | Jun 11, 2005 | Washington, D.C., Washington, U.S. | Retained WIBA super middleweight title; Won inaugural WBC female super middleweight title |
20 | Win | 20–0 | Cassandra Geiggar | TKO | 8 (10), 1:13 | Feb 11, 2005 | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | Retained WIBA super middleweight title |
19 | Win | 19–0 | Gwendolyn O'Neil | KO | 3 (10), 1:59 | Sep 24, 2004 | Atlanta, Georgia , U.S.
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Won vacant WIBF light heavyweight title |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Monica Nunez
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TKO | 9 (10), 0:42 | Jul 30, 2004 | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | Retained WIBF super middleweight title |
17 | Win | 17–0 | Nikki Eplion | TKO | 4 (10), 1:30 | Jul 17, 2004 | Bowie, Maryland, U.S. | Retained IBA female super middleweight title |
16 | Win | 16–0 | Christy Martin | KO | 4 (10), 0:28 | Aug 23, 2003 | Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | Retained IBA female super middleweight title |
15 | Win | 15–0 | Valerie Mahfood | TKO | 6 (8), 1:17 | June 21, 2003 | Los Angeles, California , U.S.
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14 | Win | 14–0 | Mary Ann Almager | TKO | 4 (10), 0:55 | Feb 14, 2003 | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | Retained IBA, WIBF, and WIBA super-middleweight titles |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Valerie Mahfood | TKO | 8 (10), 1:14 | Nov 8, 2002 | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBA female super middleweight title; Won WIBF and WIBA super middleweight titles |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Suzette Taylor | TKO | 2 (10), 1:11 | Aug 17, 2002 | Las Vegas, Nevada , U.S.
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Won inaugural IBA female super middleweight title |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Shirvelle Williams | UD | 6 | Jun 7, 2002 | Southaven, Mississippi, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Jacqui Frazier-Lyde | MD | 8 | Jun 8, 2001 | Verona, New York, U.S. | |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Christine Robinson | TKO | 5 (6), 1:50 | Mar 2, 2001 | Verona, New York, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 8–0 | Kendra Lenhart | UD | 6 | Oct 20, 2000 | Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Marjorie Jones | TKO | 1 (6), 1:08 | Jun 15, 2000 | Universal City, California, U.S. | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Kristina King | TKO | 4 (4), 0:37 | Apr 22, 2000 | Guangzhou, China | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Karen Bill | TKO | 3 (4), 1:40 | Apr 8, 2000 | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Crystal Arcand | KO | 1 (4), 1:10 | Mar 7, 2000 | Windsor, Ontario, Canada | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Nicolyn Armstrong | TKO | 2 (4), 1:00 | Dec 10, 1999 | Detroit, Michigan , U.S.
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2 | Win | 2–0 | Shadina Pennybaker | TKO | 4 (4), 1:47 | Nov 11, 1999 | Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | April Fowler | KO | 1 (4), 0:31 | Oct 8, 1999 | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. |
Championships and accomplishments
- 2012: AOCA Awakening Outstanding Contribution Award[33]
- 2005/2007: WBC World Super Middleweight title (two defenses)[1]
- 2002/2007: WIBA World Super Middleweight title (five defenses)[1]
- 2004: IWBF Female Light Heavyweight title[1]
- 2002/2004: IWBF Female Super Middleweight title (two defenses)[1]
- 2002/2004: IBA Female Super Middleweight title (four defenses)[1]
Television work
In 2000, Ali played herself in an episode of
In mid-2007, Ali was a participant in
Ali hosted the revival of American Gladiators alongside Hulk Hogan. The show premiered in January 2008.[40] Ali and the cast of American Gladiators appeared on the NBC show Celebrity Family Feud (Roker) in an episode that aired on July 8, 2008.[41] Ali joined the CBS team as a contributing correspondent on The Early Show with her first appearance in early January 2008.[42]
She hosted The N's Student Body, a reality show on The N.[43] Ali also appeared in a 2007 episode of Yo Gabba Gabba!, titled "Train", in a brief dance number, and on Love That Girl, episode 3.4, "Fighting Shape".[44]
In 2012, Ali was picked to co-host Everyday Health with Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca. The show aired on ABC Saturday mornings and profiled everyday people living with health issues, who aspired to not let their issues keep them from helping others or doing extraordinary things.[45] The show lasted for one season. Also in 2012, Ali appeared in a Kohl's commercial with a tag line, "I box to win; I shop to win.".[46] Ali was a contestant on the NBC celebrity reality competition series called Stars Earn Stripes from August 2012 to September 2012.[47]
On February 4, 2013, Ali appeared on the NBC reality series, The Biggest Loser in the episode "Lead By Example". In the episode, she boxed alongside Dolvett Quince's team, consisting of Jackson Carter, Joe Ostaszewski and Francelina Morillo. In March 2013, Ali started appearing as a co-host on multiple episodes of the E! talk show series Fashion Police filling in for Giuliana Rancic, who was on maternity leave. In May 2013, Ali once again filled in for Rancic, who had other commitments and was unable to attend the show.
In May 2014, Ali participated in an episode of
Since 2017, Ali has been the host of the DIY series Home Made Simple on the Oprah Winfrey Network.[50]
In 2019, Ali participated in the second season of The Masked Singer as "Panda". She was eliminated at the end of her episode. Before her official unmasking, Panda was jokingly revealed to be Homer Simpson in a promotion for The Simpsons, another primetime FOX series.
In 2020, Ali voiced herself in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "The Crown Jewel of Boxing."
Personal life
In 2002, she wrote (with co-author David Ritz) the book Reach! Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power.[51] In this book, she confides that she felt isolated at times because of her father's fame. Ali has also spent some time in jail, and describes her arrests and the physical abuse she experienced in jail.[52] Ali married Johnny "Yahya" McClain on August 27, 2000. McClain became Ali's manager and helped guide her career. In late 2005, Ali and McClain divorced and McClain quit managing Ali.[53]
On July 23, 2007, Ali married former NFL player Curtis Conway in Los Angeles. They have two children together: a son born in August 2008,[54] and a daughter born in April 2011.[55][56] Ali is the stepmother of Conway's three children.[57] Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan credits Ali with saving his life by telephoning him when he was depressed and suicidal.[58] Ali is the sister-in-law of professional mixed martial artist Kevin Casey, who is married to her sister Hana.[59]
Bibliography
- Ali, Laila; Ritz, David (2002). Reach!: Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power. Hyperion. ISBN 0786868554.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Laila Ali Awakening Profile". Awakeningfighters.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
- ^ Tyagi, Abhinav (December 24, 2020). "Top Ten Best Female Boxers of All Time". sportingfree.com. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Laila Ali Biography". Women's Boxing. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
- FYI / A&E Networks)la. Archived from the originalon August 8, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ^ "Unlike Her Sister, Laila Ali Was Not Devastated by Parents' Divorce". January 20, 2023.
- ^ "Laila Ali is Undefeated — Even Against Her Father". June 16, 2017.
- ^ a b "How Ali's boxer daughter stood up to 'The Greatest'".
- ^ "Laila Ali (1977-) - blackpast.org". September 20, 2009.
- ^ "MarksFriggin.com - Stern Show News Archive (For The Week Of 8/12/2002 to 8/16/2002)".
- ^ "Orlando Shopping & Deals | Frugal Force - Orlando Sentinel". Blogs.orlandosentinel.com. March 3, 2015. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ "Laila Ali on Boxing and Beauty". Fitnessmagazine.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ "KNOCKOUT: Boxing Champ Laila Ali Talks Beauty". Hairshow.us. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ Sachs, Mark (August 3, 2006). "My Favorite Weekend: Laila Ali; For her, nothing beats laying low". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b "Episode 119". Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith. June 14, 2006. ESPN2.
- ^ Cortez, Ion (March 29, 2012). "Sexy Female Boxers: They Will Knock You Down". amog.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "My Father the Greatest of All Time". Fatherly. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
- ^ Feour, Royce (August 17, 2002). "Laila Ali motivated by father". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- ^ "Full Mike Tyson-Danny Williams Fight Card". eastsideboxing.com. July 23, 2004. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Bennett, Amy Beth (November 8, 2002). "Laila Ali takes two more title belts". usatoday. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Lewis, Mike (August 17, 2003). "Boxing: Ali's chance to knock out the critics". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 25, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Borges, Ron (August 25, 2013). "Ali stands tall against Martin". boston.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "Eplion falls in four". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 18, 2004. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "Laila Ali vs. Monica Nunez Added To Tyson-Williams Fight Card". eastsideboxing.com. July 22, 2004. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "Laila Ali and Leticia Robinson win". eastsideboxing.com. September 25, 2004. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "Laila and Layla: Risk and Glory". eastsideboxing.com. February 13, 2005. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ a b "Ali wins first WBC title". smh.com.au. Associated Press. June 12, 2005. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Gil, Rafael Soto (January 27, 2012). "Interview: Jackie Nava". fightnews.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- ^ "Women's Boxing - Laila Ali". Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ "Ali stops Burton in four rounds with father looking on". espn.com. Associated Press. November 12, 2006. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Carroll, Rory (July 26, 2006). "Fraud claims over failed 'Rumble in Jungle'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 30, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- ^ "'She Bee' flies in but stung by lack of fanfare". January 24, 2007. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- ^ "Ali drops O'Neil early in first round, defends titles". espn.com. Associated Press. February 3, 2007. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- ^ "Awakening Outstanding Contribution Award". Awakeningfighters.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
- ^ "The Jersey Season 1 Bat Girl". Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ Weiss, Neal Default Gets Inside The Head Of Muhammad Ali's Daughter Yahoo! Music (April 7, 2002). Retrieved on 3–24–10.
- ^ "BOXER LAILA ALI GUESTS AS CLUB OWNER TONIGHT". Akron Beacon Journal. March 26, 2004.
- ^ "Former Boxer Laila Ali To Make A Guest Appearance On BET's 'Real Husbands Of Hollywood'!". humormillmag.com. September 25, 2012. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ unknown (February 20, 2007). "Meet the New Cast of 'Dancing With the Stars". ABC.com Dancing with the Stars. Archived from the original on February 23, 2007. Retrieved February 21, 2007.
- ^ "Anton Ohno wins Dancing with the Stars". showbizspy.com. May 23, 2007. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "Laila Ali and Hulk Hogan are confirmed as new presenters of American Gladiators". Gladiators Zone. October 31, 2007. Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
- ^ "'American Gladiators' Attempt to Take on 'Celebrity Family Feud'". about.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "Laila Ali Joins "The Early Show"". cbsnews.com. February 11, 2009. Archived from the original on January 29, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (November 5, 2007). "Laila Ali to host 'Student Body'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Bryson, Carey (November 23, 2007). "Yo Gabba Gabba! – All new Episodes with Musical Guest Stars". about.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "New Television Series, Everyday Health, Hosted by Laila Ali, Ethan Zohn & Jenna Morasca to Premiere on ABC Affiliates September 3, 2011". sys-con.com. September 1, 2011. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Schafer, Jenny (May 25, 2012). "Laila Ali: "We Are A Kissing Family"". Archived from the original on August 20, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Reeves, Ronke Idowu (August 16, 2012). "Laila Ali on Beyoncé, Gabby Douglas, Drake and Stars Earn Stripes". bet.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Levine, Sara (May 5, 2013). "One-on-One With the Chopped All-Stars Season 3 Champion". FN Dish. Archived from the original on August 27, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "'Celebrity Apprentice,' sans Trump, announces cast". newsday.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016.
- ^ "Laila Ali Joins OWN's Daytime Emmy-Winning 'Home Made Simple' as Host of Season Seven – Discovery, Inc".
- ISBN 978-0786868551.
- ^ "REACH! Finding Strength, Spirit and Personal Power". publishersweekly.com. June 1, 2002. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- ^ Alden, James (January 23, 2013). "Yahya McClain: "I wanted to ensure that the Ali image was not tarnished"". fighthype.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- ^ Tan, Michelle (September 11, 2008). "Laila Ali Gives Birth to Her First Son". People. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ^ Michaud, Sarah (April 4, 2011). "Laila Ali Welcomes Daughter Sydney". People. Archived from the original on March 27, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ^ Rizzo, Monica (June 10, 2011). "Meet Laila Ali's Daughter Sydney J." People. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ "References Ali's marriage and her stepchildren". Archived from the original on October 17, 2007.
- ISBN 9780312588908.
- ^ "Kevin Casey will fight at UFC 199 despite passing of father-in-law Muhammad Ali". FoxSports.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2016.
General sources
- NetGlimse.com (2009). Laila Ali – Biography . Retrieved October 8, 2010 from Laila Ali Biography, Bio, Profile, pictures, photos from Netglimse.com
- CBS Interactive (2010). Laila Ali FOLLOWS BOXING CAREER OF LEGENDARY FATHER MUHAMMAD ALI. Retrieved October 10, 2010 from Laila Ali FOLLOWS BOXING CAREER OF LEGENDARY FATHER MUHAMMAD ALI | Jet | Find Articles at BNET
- Andrew Rooney. (2003). Years of Minutes. New York: Essay Productions. Retrieved from NetLibrary database.
- Boxing. (2003). In Black Firsts. Retrieved from Boxing | Black Firsts - Credo Reference.
- Lexis Nexis. (2009). Laila Ali. Retrieved from Lexis Nexis database.
External links
- Laila Ali at Awakening Fighters
- Boxing record for Laila Ali from BoxRec (registration required)
- Laila Ali at IMDb
- Hossili, Peter (June 1, 2007). "Laila Ali—I'm a Stronger Puncher Than My Father Was".
- Adams, Audrey (2012). "Talk with Audrey". Archived from the original on July 21, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
Interview with Laila Ali about hosting Everyday Health TV