Laila Ali - a living American Amazon icon

Ali vs. O'Neil was a landmark fight for female boxing, and a perfect petri dish to examine the differences in attitudes between the U.S. and elsewhere. During her prep time in Africa, Laila met with Nelson Mandela. He was just one of an impressive A-list who turned out to witness her fight. Surfing 'round the media treatment overseas (cuz I sure don't see anything on this in the American papers), Laila seemed to be appreciated for what she is - the remarkable daughter of a boxing icon following in her father's footwork and keeping honor to the legacy he began. I have to ask...why doesn't she get that kind of honor here in the States?

Whatever you think of her skills (sounds like this was another mismatch farce, which is the only other context I've seen her in - Ali vs. Martin), it's inarguable that Laila has made historic contributions to the sport for females. After raising the specter of female boxing in Africa with a buzz-fueled fight, she defended her title.


Here are some details. Read the full story at Dispatch.

a butterfly that stings like a bee

AP--United States boxer Laila Ali knocks down Gwendolyn O'Neil in defence of her World Boxing Council and World International Boxing Association world titles in Johannesburg on Saturday in the first minute of the first round of their scheduled 10-round super-middleweight bout. Ali won on a TKO after 56 seconds.

...it would probably be her last fight for some while as she intended having her first child and going into temporary retirement.

She has achieved a great deal out of the ring and made a striking impression in her highly-publicised visit to South Africa and it is a pity she could not have been afforded a better opportunity of demonstrating her wares as a fighter.

AP photo