Walking down memory lane has never been more exciting! In a heartwarming interview with Closer Weekly, boxing champion Laila Ali opened up about the most incredible day of her life—when she clinched her first championship title as a professional boxer in 2002. That moment wasn’t just a victory; it was the realization of a dream she had set out to achieve.
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“I entered boxing with a clear goal: to become an undefeated world champion,” Laila, now 39, shared with Closer during the Third Annual Sports Humanitarian Awards in July. “To face Suzy Taylor for the first time, knock her out in the second round, and claim that belt—it was absolutely surreal. It was everything I’d dreamed of, and more.”
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Laila winning her first championship boxing title in 2002.
Her Journey to Becoming a Champion
Laila’s victory at the IBA Super Middleweight Championship in Las Vegas was a turning point in her life. It was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and passion. “That belt wasn’t just a trophy—it was a symbol of everything I’d worked for. I didn’t want to let it go, and I never did,” she reminisced. Over the course of her eight-year career, Laila left an indelible mark on the sport, retiring undefeated in 2007. Her achievements include winning the WBC, WIBA, IWBF, and IBA female super middleweight titles, as well as the IWBF light heavyweight title.
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A Legacy Born from Family Roots
It’s no secret where Laila’s love for boxing comes from—her legendary father, Muhammad Ali, who passed away in June 2016 at the age of 74. On the one-year anniversary of his death, Laila spoke candidly to Closer about her beloved father and the profound impact he had on her life. “He’ll never be forgotten. People approach me daily to talk about my dad,” she said at the Big Fighters, Big Cause Charity Boxing Night in California in June. “I miss him, but I take comfort in knowing he’s in a better place now.”
Laila with her late father, Muhammad Ali.
“My dad, wherever he went, had the ability to move people to tears. So, while I wasn’t entirely surprised by the outpouring of love after he passed, it was deeply appreciated,” Laila told Essence. “People cared so much, and that’s something I’ll always cherish.”
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For more insights into Laila’s incredible journey, grab the latest issue of Closer Weekly, available now at newsstands—or sign up for our newsletter!
