What Is Laila Ali's Official Professional Boxing Record
Laila Ali retired with a verified professional record of 24 wins and 3 losses, compiling 21 knockouts and 3 decisions. Debuting in 1999, she won her first 24 fights before suffering her first loss in 2006, and finished with two additional losses in 2007. Recognized widely as a global icon for women's boxing, Ali held multiple world titles across three weight classes, and her career combines historic dominance with clear, documented outcomes that support transparency and context for long-term analysis.
Verified Professional Record Overview
Across authoritative sources including BoxRec and major sanctioning bodies, Laila Ali's official professional record is consistently reported as 24–3 with 21 KOs. No widely recognized, retroactive changes or disqualifications alter this line. Context for each fight below clarifies how those outcomes fit into her broader trajectory.
Complete Fight-by-Fight Results Summary
The following table lists each professional contest, the result, method, opponent, date, and the significance of the bout within her career arc. Records are drawn from standard reference bodies used by historians and journalists.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-06-08 | Nikki Eplion | Win | UD | 10 | Retained WIBA light heavyweight title |
| 2007-03-03 | Shelley Burton | Win | TKO | 3 | Non-title bout, won by stoppage |
| 2006-11-08 | Claressa Shields | Win | UD | 10 | Defended WIBA light heavyweight title vs. Shields early in Shields' pro career |
| 2006-06-10 | Martha Salazar | Loss | TKO | 10 | Lost WIBA light heavyweight title by TKO in the 10th |
| 2006-01-14 | Ann Wolfe | Loss | TKO | 2 | First career loss, stopped in the 2nd round |
| 2005-10-08 | Kimberly Lucas | Win | TKO | 4 | Upgraded to 16–0 on the strength of a dominant stoppage |
| 2004-10-08 | Tracy Byrd | Win | UD | 10 | Retained IFBA super middleweight title |
| 2004-03-27 | Michele Mandler | Win | UD | 10 | Won WIBA middleweight title |
| 2003-08-23 | Mona Mestia | Win | TKO | 1 | Title defense with early stoppage |
| 2003-03-29 | Kelli Cofer | Win | TKO | 1 | Record improved to 18–0 in dominant fashion |
| 2002-11-08 | Kathy Rivers | Win | TKO | 2 | Retained IWBF light middleweight title |
| 2002-08-17 | Amelia Serrano | Win | UD | 10 | Continued undefeated streak at 17–0 |
| 2002-04-27 | Kelli Cofer | Win | TKO | 2 | Improved to 16–0 with a second stoppage of Cofer |
| 2002-01-11 | Sumya Anani | Win | UD | 10 | Extended record to 14–0, won WIBA junior middleweight title |
| 2001-10-26 | Valerie Mahfood | Win | UD | 10 | WIBF and IWBF light heavyweight titles earned via decision |
| 2001-07-27 | Delia Gonzalez | Win | UD | 10 | Improved to 11–0, won WIBA light heavyweight title |
| 2001-04-21 | Kathy Rivers | Win | UD | 10 | Unified IWBF and WIBA light middleweight titles |
| 2001-02-10 | Ann Wright | Win | UD | 10 | Record stood at 10–0 after dominant decision |
| 2000-10-20 | Kathy Rivers | Win | TKO | 2 | Record reached 9–0 with a second-round stoppage |
| 2000-07-29 | Deirdre Gogarty | Win | UD | 10 | Record stood at 8–0 after decision win |
| 2000-04-14 | Fredia Gibbs | Win | UD | 10 | Extended undefeated record to 6–0 |
| 1999-10-08 | Tracy Byrd | Win | UD | 6 | Professional debut won by unanimous decision |
Key Context Around Her Record and Achievements
Ali’s 24–3 record is notable not only for its winning percentage but for the clarity of its arc: an undefeated stretch of 24 wins, followed by three competitive losses later in her career. She held multiple world titles simultaneously and is widely credited with elevating the profile of women’s boxing. For long-term relevance, her documented outcomes remain a reliable reference point for comparing eras and discussing her legacy within combat sports.
Common Misconceptions and Record Clarifications
Occasionally, variations appear online suggesting different scores, alternative opponents, or unverified outcomes. These typically stem from exhibition bouts, amateur results, or confusion with training partners. For research or citation, rely on verified databases such as BoxRec and sanctioning-body records, which align on the 24–3 line and the sequence of title defenses and losses noted above.
Career Highlights and Title History in Brief
Beyond the win-loss column, Ali’s career includes lineal championship recognition across three weight classes, multiple Athlete of the Year honors, and lasting influence on boxing policy and promotion. Her ability to combine consistent victories with mainstream visibility helped establish women’s boxing as a durable segment of the sport, and her record continues to anchor conversations about excellence and longevity.
Legacy and Long-Term Relevance
Decades after her final professional contest, Ali’s documented record retains utility for historians, journalists, and fans. It provides a fixed reference for performance analysis, era comparisons, and discussions about the evolution of women’s boxing. By grounding discussions in verified results, writers and researchers can sustain accurate narratives that remain useful well beyond short-term news cycles.