Biography & Career Of Laila Ali

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Biography & Career Of Laila Ali

Laila Amaria Ali is an American television personality and retired 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.

Early Life

Laila Amaria Ali was born on December 30th of 1977 in Miami Beach, Florida. Born to Muhammad Ali and his third wife, Veronica Porché Ali, Laila initially became a manicurist by the age of 16. After graduating from high school, she attended California Santa Monica College and earned a business degree. Before she started boxing professionally, she ran her own nail salon.

Boxing Career

Laila started boxing at the age of 18. Initially inspired by Christy Martin, she announced her intention to become a professional boxer during an interview with Diane Sawyer on an episode of "Good Morning America." While her father was eventually supportive of her decision, he expressed concerns about her safety early on.

Her first professional match came in 1999 against April Fowler. Under normal circumstances, the bout would have generated little interested. However, it received considerable coverage because Laila was the daughter of Muhammad Ali. Laila knocked Fowler out and claimed her first victory. Another win came against Shadina Pennybaker with a TKO. Eventually, Ali had won nine matches in a row. The helped her generate a considerable following, with many fans calling for a match against Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, the daughter of Joe Frazier.

In 2001, fans finally got their wish, and the two boxing daughters squared off. Ali won in a majority decision, although both women walked away with serious injuries. Ali left the ring with a fractured collarbone and a bloodied nose. The match was credited with advancing women's boxing considerably, and it was the first main-event pay-per-view match between two women.

Ali then took a year off before returning in 2002 to beat fighters like Shirvelle Williams and Suzette Taylor. Later that year, she retained the IBA title and added the WIBA and IWBF belts with a win over Valier Mahfood, a world champion. Mahfood fought Ali again in a rematch, and the result was the same. However, Laila suffered serious injuries during this second bout, including a serious cut on her eyelid and a bloodied nose.

In 2003, Laila fought the woman who inspired her to become a professional boxer, Christy Martin. She knocked her idol out in the fourth round. Another knockout came against Nikki Eplion in 2004, allowing Laila to retain the world title. Later in 2004, Ali fought and beat Monica Nunez before claiming the IWBF Light Heavyweight title with a victory against Gwendolyn O'Neil. She finished the latter fight with a knockout once again.

Personal Life

Laila was married to boxer Johnny McClain from 2000-2005. She married former NFL player Curtis Conway in 2007. They have two daughters together.

Net Worth

Laila Ali is a retired American professional boxer who has a net worth of $10 million. Although Laila is perhaps best known for being the daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, she has become a successful television personality and professional boxer in her own right. During her eight-year boxing career, Ali established herself as one of the best female boxers around. She eventually retired undefeated, having won a number of titles. These included the WBC, WIBA, IWBF, and IBA female super middleweight titles, as well as the IWBF light heavyweight title.