Hulk Hogan Triggered Laila Ali to Develop an Unexplored Trait After Boxing Retirement in 2007: “For Me, It Was a New Challenge”

After nearing to hanging up his boots from wrestling around 2007, Hulk Hogan gradually started shifting his focus to television. In 2008, he came to TV with the show American Gladiators alongside Laila Ali.

Ali had just retired a year prior and was ready for a new career. Hence, she once shared how Hogan triggered her to join American Gladiators in 2008.

In a resurfaced interview with Brian Sebastian in 2008, Laila Ali credited Hogan as one of the reasons for joining American Gladiators. 

Laila Ali said, “For me, it was a no-brainer to get involved with American Gladiators. I was thinking, gosh this would be perfect because I’m not boxing right now, but I could be still be involved with people being athletic fit and competing against each other.”

She added, “It was new for me, it was new challenge which I like to be the host, to be the person doing the interviews and not be the opposite like it usually was. And the chance to work with Hulk Hogan, he’s a legend and I couldn’t think of any two people better than ourselves.”

Furthermore, The Immortal One replied to Ali’s reason, “Wow I just liked that she thinks like I do.” The show ran for two seasons, as NBC didn’t renew it in the year 2009.

They were good friends at the time. A few years after knowing Hogan, she even once saved the WWE legend’s life indirectly. Hence, The Hulkster holds her high in his life.

Hulk Hogan didn’t call Laila Ali after she saved his life over a phone call

The 2-time WWE Hall of Famer once publicly revealed the ‘She Bee Stingin’ saved his life while he had suicidal thoughts. However, Ali didn’t have a hint she did this, but after this incident, she claimed Hogan didn’t call her.

Speaking on The Tomorrow Show, she said, “I was like what am I gonna say so I was like okay fine. But I haven’t talked to him since. So I’m like wow I saved your life and you don’t even call me. I haven’t talked to him since that whole story broke.”

In reality, she had called Hogan to talk about American Gladiators, but ended up being a savior for him.

Read More:- “When Laila Called..”: Hulk Hogan on Muhammad Ali’s Daughter’s “Divine Intervention” That Saved His Life in 2009

Laila Ali retired as an undefeated boxer

As Muhammad Ali ruled men’s boxing, his daughter conquered the women’s division. In short, the father-daughter duo ruled boxing while they were active boxers.

Surprisingly, Laila Ali retired as an undefeated boxer in 2007. She won all 24 matches, in which she won 21 knockouts and 3 by unanimous decision.

In her final match against Gwendolyn O’Neil, she retained the WBC female and WIBA super middleweight titles. She retired as a champion and safe to say the name Ali is synonymous with boxing now.

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