Legendary boxer Laila Ali, the undefeated daughter of Muhammad Ali, has undoubtedly helped pave the way for women’s boxing. After the fight, Ali spoke to boxing journalists to give her thoughts on the fight between Serrano and Taylor, and more importantly, tease a potential return to the ring.
Laila Ali Open to Boxing Return vs. Claressa Shields for Massive Payday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Legendary boxer Laila Ali, the undefeated daughter of Muhammad Ali, has undoubtedly helped pave the way for women’s boxing. Her storied career and legacy can be felt today, as Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor finished their historic trilogy fight, which Ali helped commentate as a part of Netflix’s broadcast team at the legendary Madison Square Garden venue in New York.
After the fight, Ali spoke to boxing journalists to give her thoughts on the fight between Serrano and Taylor, and more importantly, tease a potential return to the ring.
She said she would only return to competition for a staggering price tag.
The 47-year-old retired champion told the media, “Unless somebody had $15-$20 million, don’t even call me about this. That’s all I have to say.”
Watch the full interview from Fight Hub TV here:
While she admitted she isn’t actively seeking a comeback, she left the door open for negotiations, saying, “Unless somebody calls me and says they have it, we’re not even going to have a conversation. I’m not trying to come back and fight, but if somebody offered that kind of money, I would actually have to think about it.”
“Do I look like I could fight again?” she asked journalists, who responded that she looks ready to lace up the gloves again. Ali responded with confidence, “I think so too.”
Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-division world champion, has long called for a showdown with Ali, framing it as a battle for the title of the "Greatest Woman of All Time" (GWOAT).
Last year, Shields told Andre Ward, “I don’t feel like Laila Ali is a terrible fighter, she’s a good fighter. She did a lot for women’s boxing. But I think with her, being Muhammad Ali’s daughter, everybody’s always just bowing down to her.”
“Me fighting her right now would still be the biggest fight in women’s boxing right now,” she said on Andre Ward’s “All the Smoke” podcast.
Ali’s resume of 24-0 with 21 knockouts speaks for itself, but it may be unlikely that she could compete with Shields after nearly two decades away from the ring.
Her legacy is secure, but a $20 million offer might just be the key to unlocking one final chapter. The ball is in boxing promoters’ court, and their decisions will determine whether or not this dream fight becomes a reality.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
