By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Laila Ali has successfully gone from a championship winning pugilist to TV star.
For her latest foray onto the small screen, the 'Dancing with the Stars' finalist will be the subject of a two-hour documentary for the TV One network.
For 'Daddy's Girl,' Muhammad Ali's 29-year-old daughter is showcased for making history in South Africa with the first professional female boxing match ever -- against Gwendolyn O'Neil -- last year in Johannesburg.
Not since her father brought boxing fans the infamous "Rumble in the Jungle" fight has there been such excitement and anticipation built around a fight in Africa.
Helmed by 'Biker Boyz' director Reggie Bythewood, alongside South African filmmaker Norman Maake, 'Daddy's Girl' also features never-before-seen footage of Muhammad Ali; and Laila's meetings in South Africa with Nelson Mandela and with Winnie Mandela.
"The most difficult thing about having iconic parents is that you are constantly compared, and obviously because of their greatness you might fall short," offered Zindzi Mandela, daughter of Nelson and Winnie Mandela, in the film. "So the important thing is to be able to self actualize quite strongly so people realize you're an individual in your own right, but you have learned, you have inherited some of their greatness."
The in-depth, hard-hitting special offers an amazing journey through Laila's life -- from a privileged, yet sometimes turbulent, childhood as the daughter of the "The Greatest" boxer and humanitarian leader, to her stay in a Juvenile Detention Center in California that changed Laila's life.
While she had no interest in professional boxing career as a youngster, when Laila decided to pursue a competitive boxing career in the late 1990s, she did so as vigorously and competitively as had her father. Leading into the February 2006 match in South Africa, her record included 22 straight wins and 19 knockouts.
"She's got more confidence than a man with a switchblade knife," cut doctor Cassius Green says. "[When] she gets into a dressing room before a fight, she's a whole together different person.. . .she's unreal."
'Daddy's Girl' premieres on TV One June 17 at 8 PM ET.
Comments: (7)
Add a comment
By: cherokeelove2005 on 6/14/2007 1:55AM
it is so wonderful to see what laila has become... and to imagine her with an interview with the Mandela's who are depicted sometimes in the media with a negative flare speaks mountains to the power of overcoming and healing.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: TONY on 6/14/2007 12:56AM
THANK YOU Laila Ali FOR THE CLASS AND STYLE
...SEE MORE CLASS AND STYLE @
http://TONYDEEsNEGROLEAGUE.COM
http://TONYDEES.COM
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Leah Kirkland on 6/15/2007 5:23PM
I was truly amazed at how self poised and confident Ms Laila is. I watched weekly as she danced on Dancing with the stars. She showed the world that you don't have to be a size 4, to have grace and style and to be beautiful, which she truly is. But mostly her beauty shines from within. You are truly a role model, for our up and coming young ladies.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: sytdebr10@aol.com on 6/16/2007 9:32AM
Your poise, and confidence was something all black people can talk pride in. To see a black woman stand there and project her beauty in such a refined and dignified manner was something that all black people and learn from. You gave meaning to what a true "Nubian Queen" was like.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: sytdebr10@aol.com on 6/18/2007 2:36AM
Your poise, and confidence was something all black people can talk pride in. To see a black woman stand there and project her beauty in such a refined and dignified manner was something that all black people can learn from. You gave meaning to what a true "Nubian Queen" was like.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Wanda on 6/17/2007 6:54PM
Class, style, beauty! She's got it all!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Carla Sherrod on 6/22/2007 10:05PM
I have been thinking and I was wandering exactly how the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) could raise money for treatment, cure, or assistence. I have MS I am 25 and was told at 18 that my world was going to be different and I was going to be disabled. I was sitting around with my boyfriend and he was telling me that he could beat a women like you in the boxing ring. How much money could be raised if you got female pro boxers to fight this kind of men. Look and it could be on tv. Could you immagine how much money you can make for the MS foundation. Just to help people like me and the people that are wrose then me.(may god have meracy on their souls). Please contact www.mssociety.com so this can get rolling or even me.PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE. thank you for fighting it feels like you are living my dream for me. thank you again
Reply to this Comment | Report This