Laila Ali Visits Nelson Mandela
By Robert Ecksel January 30th, 2007Laila Ali says Nelson Mandela reminds her of The Greatest
Laila Ali, in Johannesburg, South Africa, for her February 3 super middleweight title bout against Guyanan Gwendolyn O’Neil, told Reuters that Nelson Mandela, the 88-year-old anti-apartheid superhero who brought white rule on the dark continent to its knees, reminds her of her father, The Greatest, Muhammad Ali.
“He (Mandela) is a very humble man and there is a lot of energy in the room and I could feel his spirit,” Ali said. “When I am holding his hand, he is walking on his cane he reminds me so much of my own father. That same energy that I get from him. So he is like family.â€?
Ali said that Mandela, known affectionately in South Africa by his clan name “Madiba,” had given her a bona fide shot in the arm: “I have already gotten the Madiba magic just being around him.”
The former South African president and 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner boxed as a young man, so he was asked if he had any tips for Ali as she prepares for Gwendolyn O’Neil.
“Look,â€? said Mandela. “I cannot advise present fighters because I was a fighter many, many, many years ago and the rules have differed so it’s better for me to keep quiet.â€?
February 6th, 2007 at 5:17 am
hi laila u r a queen of boxing u quit so sweet .
February 22nd, 2007 at 8:09 pm
good site
April 25th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I love the fact that your a strong woman and you have beating people up…But i really didnt want to start boxing until i seen you doing major things. And I love watching you and your dad.Keep doing what your doing because your making a big difference in young females lives
April 29th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Laila you are the best female boxer ive ever heard about. I wish that i could be a boxer. If i could i would like to take all of my lesson’s from you. with much love and hugs!! knock all of them chicks OUT!!
January 18th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Hi! Laila ali is the Best Boxer Female! since iv been watchin her fight and heard that she is a boxer is the daughter of muhammed Ali, iv been so much in o boxing because iv been doing boxing for a couple of months and ave been in to it since i was little so hpefuli il be proffessional like laila Ali 1 and 1 day ill hopefuli meet u when im aboxer nd ave a good carrer like u!! p.s…Laila keep up the boxin nd knock all ov them people out jus like ur dad muhammed ali!!
July 17th, 2008 at 11:41 am
laila ali is the greatest female boxer i hve ever known. and laila keep it up. u rock.