As such, a boxer’s life isn’t an easy one—whether in or out of the ring. For women, however, these challenges are often intensified. They must prove themselves at every turn. A single misstep can lead to harsh judgment, often with lasting consequences. Now imagine the struggle faced by the pioneers of women’s boxing, those who fought for recognition when the sport had barely acknowledged their presence. Legends like Christy Martin and Laila Ali are from that generation. The world knows how they made it to the top of the boxing world. But few understand the kind of obstacles they overcame to inspire the next generation of female boxers.

In the case of Laila Ali, the expectations were especially high. Beyond societal pressures of being a woman, she had to emerge from the shadow of her father, ‘The Greatest’ Muhammad Ali. In her autobiography, she has talked about the story of her upbringing and her rise in the sport. Now, in an exclusive interview, Laila Ali reflects on the battles she fought—not just in the ring but against doubts that followed her every step.

Laila Ali: Doubts to Dominance

“When I started fighting, everyone was like, ‘Oh, she’s a pretty girl, oh, she’s Muhammad Ali’s daughter, oh, she can’t fight, oh, she’s just in it for publicity’,” said Ali. She was speaking with author Damien Hughes, who, along with Jake Humphrey, hosts the ‘High Performance’ podcast. So the former world champion was addressing the skepticism and underestimation she faced when she started her boxing career.

There were people who doubted his abilities. They consistently focused on superficial aspects such as her looks or her lineage. Many assumed that she was simply seeking fame rather than genuine success in the sport. However, Muhammad Ali’s daughter emphasized that there had always been that fighting spirit residing in her. It matched the fortitude that her father possessed.

Laila Ali said, “I’m also a big girl. I’m a strong girl, a confident girl, and I’m very ambitious, meaning I’m going to do the work…going to work hard…going to be disciplined. I’m going to find the best trainers. You know you don’t want to have to face me in the ring. Trust me, you don’t.”

She gave her response when Hughes took her through her initial struggles. He highlighted how often Laila Ali had to manage intense emotions in order to stay focused. The former super middleweight champion explained how she had that strong drive that pushed her to excel in training. She developed a mindset where only the results in the ring mattered, not the opinions of others.

The beginnings

It was incidentally, as she chanced upon a Christy Martin bout, that Laila Ali got the inspiration to take up the gloves. She was eighteen at the time and ran a successful nail salon business. Initially, Muhammad Ali didn’t approve of the idea.

Eventually, things started turning around as she continued on a winning streak. Three years after she made her debut, Laila Ali became a world champion for the first time. Moving out of her comfort zone, she climbed up a division to become a WIBF light heavyweight champion in 2004. Finally, on February 3, 2007, she defeated Gwendolyn O’Neill during a rematch. It was to be her last professional bout.

Since retiring from the sport, Laila Ali has found success in the entertainment industry and as a businesswoman, carving out her own legacy beyond boxing.

Who, in your view, is the greatest female boxer of all time?