Laila Ali's Professional Boxing Record at a Glance
Laila Ali retired with an official record of 24 wins, 3 losses, and 0 draws, including 21 knockouts. She is best known for becoming the first professional boxer—man or woman—to retire with an undefeated record after starting her career with a loss. Ali held multiple world titles across weight classes and is celebrated for a disciplined, high-volume offense built on fundamentals. The following profile breaks down her verified record, title reigns, signature victories, and context for interpreting her legacy.
Official Professional Record and Title History
To understand Ali's achievement, it helps to look at the numbers sanctioned by major commissions and major sanctioning bodies. Her compiled record reflects consistency at the highest level and selective, high-impact matchmaking over more than a decade.
Career Summary Table
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Total Wins | 24 | BoxRec / sanctioning bodies |
| Wins by KO | 21 | BoxRec / fight records |
| Total Losses | 3 | BoxRec / sanctioning bodies |
| Total Draws | 0 | BoxRec |
| World Titles | Multiple (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO) | Commission records |
| Weight Classes | Super Middleweight to Heavyweight | Career history |
| Debut | October 1, 1999 (win) | Fight records |
| Final Fight | June 10, 2007 (retirement after loss) | Promoter reports |
Breakdown of Each Official Segment
Ali's career is easiest to follow as three distinct phases: early development, championship ascent, and late-career challenges. Each phase reveals different aspects of her skill set and competitive mindset.
Early Development (1999–2001)
Ali debuted on October 1, 1999, winning a four-round decision. After two more early wins, she faced her first loss to Marsha Pascual in 2000, a decision that reshaped her approach. She quickly rebounded, earning a regional title and setting the stage for a championship run. This period established her durability and capacity to learn from setbacks.
Championship Ascent (2001–2004)
Ali won the IBA female super middleweight title in 2001 and steadily climbed regional and then world rankings. In 2002, she won the WIBA light heavyweight title, and in 2003 she unified multiple belts to become a universally recognized champion. Notable victories during this span include decision wins over well-regarded contenders and a technical knockout that demonstrated her power ceiling. Her style combined volume, accuracy, and strong fundamentals over showy risk-taking.
Elite Status and Undisputed Pursuits (2004–2007)
By 2004, Ali was fighting for world titles in multiple organizations. She captured the WBA and WBC female super middleweight titles and later added the IBF belt, completing a multi-bag championship portfolio. In 2006 and 2007, she moved up to heavier weights, testing herself at junior middleweight and beyond. Her only losses during this period came against elite opposition in closely contested decisions, reflecting the level of competition at the very top.
Key Fights and Performance Highlights
Certain bouts define a career's trajectory. For Ali, specific fights illustrate her versatility and the evolution of her strengths under pressure.
Signature Wins and Turning Points
- Debut win (Oct 1, 1999): Established baseline confidence and ring craft.
- Regional title victory (2001): Marked transition to nationally recognized contender.
- Multi-bag championship unification (2003–2004): Demonstrated ability to compete across organizations and weight classes.
- Junior middleweight experiments (2006–2007): Showed adaptability and ambition beyond her natural weight.
Competitive Context and Close Decisions
While Ali finished with 24 wins, three losses remind us that elite boxing produces razor-thin margins. Her losses came against world-class opponents and were decided by narrow margins, underscoring that her record reflects not invincibility but sustained excellence at the highest level.
Understanding the Record in Context
When evaluating any fighter's record, it's important to consider era, competition quality, and stylistic matchups. Ali's combination of power, fundamentals, and ring intelligence allowed her to compete across multiple weight classes and sanctioning bodies, a rarity that amplifies the significance of her achievements.
Legacy and Public Perception
Offense, defense, and ring generalship defined Ali's approach. She is frequently cited as a model of consistency, sportsmanship, and professionalism. Her record is not only a collection of numbers but also a narrative of resilience, adaptability, and long-term excellence at the highest level of boxing.