Laila Ali Biography

Retired professional boxer Laila Ali was born in 1977. As the daughter of legendary boxer Muhammed Ali, it was not much of a surprise when Laila decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and begin training as a boxer, although her interest in the sport did not develop until she was eighteen years old. At that time, Laila was inspired by other female boxers to begin training, and so she shared her goals with her father. Muhammed was not pleased at first, but supportive of his daughter’s aspirations.

Laila Ali entered the ring for her first match in 1999 at the age of twenty-one.  Laila began her journey with an immediate built-in fan base, as hundreds of spectators turned out to watch the daughter of the famous Muhammed Ali compete for the first time. But it wasn’t long before Laila’s talents emerged and she became a fighter in her own right, launching a career which then lasted for nearly another two decades and left her with a perfect, undefeated record.

Laila Ali entered the ring for the last time in 2007. In her retirement, she has continued to enjoy a variety of endeavors and she has grown into a highly recognizable public personality. Ali competed on Dancing with the Stars in the show’s fourth season, shortly after her retirement. She has also appeared as a contestant on the television reality competition Chopped: All Stars. She has hosted multiple television shows, including: American Gladiators, The Early Show, The N’s Student Body, Fashion Police, and most recently, Everyday Health on the ABC network. Ali published her autobiography, Reach!: Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power, in 2002.

Most recently, Laila Ali appeared on the reality competition The Biggest Loser, in 2013. Later that same year, she began her run hosting All In with Laila Ali for the CBS network.