“Women Didn’t Really Embrace High-Impact Dangerous Sports”- Muhammad Ali’s Daughter Speaks Out on Where Women’s Boxing Stands (Exclusive)

After Muhammad Ali hung up his gloves, his daughter Laila Ali decided to carry on his legacy by embracing the sweet science. However, her time in boxing looked way different from what it is today. So, with an insider’s perspective, Rasheda Ali recently described her thoughts on the sweet science for women.

Spicing things up on the latest Essentially Sports interview with Kenny Ducey, Rasheda took the viewers on a journey through the evolution of the sport, especially since her sister became the world champion. Detailing her thoughts on the future of women’s boxing. 

Rasheda Ali sees differences of leaps and bounds

As the conversation veered into Laila’s boxing career, Ducey swiftly asked Rasheda about her thoughts on the future of women’s boxing. In response, Rasheda revealed, “In the 90s, when Laila first wanted to embrace boxing, my dad was like, no, no.” Nico’s mother claimed that her father’s objection was because Ali grew up in an era where “women didn’t just really embrace high-impact dangerous sports. But he also wanted to protect his daughter.”

So, he was reluctant to the idea, but Rasheda claimed when Ali realized how passionate Laila was about the sport, he had to let up! “So, he was like, okay, I feel more confident now that you’re doing well at this sport,” said Rasheda.  It’s worth mentioning that where Muhammad Ali attended god-like status in the boxing community, Laila wasn’t left far behind. Besides retiring undefeated, she held the WBC, WIBA, IWBF, and IBA female super middleweight titles in the span of her eight-year affair with boxing.

Later in the interview with Kenny Ducey from Essentially Sports, Ali’s elder daughter took a trip down memory lane, claiming, “I think in the 90s, even then, they weren’t televising women’s boxing.” She went on to suggest that the differences between now and then are of leaps and bounds. “[Between] back then and now, they’ve taken leaps and bounds. Now, they can do more for female boxing and other female sports,” said Rasheda.

Also Read: “He Took It All in Stride”: While Naming Him the GOAT, Daughter Details How Muhammad Ali Dealt With “Blatant” Racism During His Pro Career (Exclusive)

She especially highlighted the evolution in the sport since Laila last entered the ring, stating, “But since Leela started, [it’s] leaps and bounds better as far as getting paid, [and] what they deserve and getting the coverage that they deserve as well.” 

Over the years, the women’s division has seen the likes of Claressa Shields, Amanda Serrano, and other heavy hitters take center stage. Meanwhile, as Rasheda Ali joined Kenny Ducey from Essentially Sports, she seemed confident that boxing was heading in the right direction for women. However, do you agree with her assessment?

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