Laila Ali Honored 40 Years After Father's Inaugural Legends Dinner
Undefeated boxer becomes first father-daughter duo recognized by the Buoniconti Fund at the annual sports gala.
Laila Ali made history Monday night at the 41st Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner, becoming the first father-daughter combination to be honored by the event. The undefeated boxing champion was recognized alongside athletes such as Shane Battier, Chris Webber, Rob Gronkowski, Andruw Jones, and Shaun White.
The dinner, held at the Hilton Midtown in New York, is the primary fundraising platform for The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, co-founded by Hall-of-Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti and neurosurgeon Dr. Barth A. Green.
The inaugural dinner in 1986 honored Muhammad Ali, who had a personal connection to the Buoniconti family. Marc Buoniconti, Nick Buoniconti's son, was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a 1985 college football game. Muhammad Ali's support helped bring national attention to the cause and the newly formed Miami Project, which now also researches neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and CTE.
Laila Ali expressed pride in her family's legacy, stating, "I’ve worked very hard to establish my own identity, create my own path, but I will always be proud to be my father’s daughter." She added, "Now, to be the only father-daughter combination to receive this honor 40 years apart is something I definitely don’t take lightly."
Ali, who retired from boxing with a record of 24-0 with 21 knockouts, acknowledged the potential long-term effects of her career. An examination by neurologist Dr. Daniel Amen revealed concussions she was unaware of, stemming from years of sparring. "It doesn’t really matter how strong you are, just getting hit in the head isn’t a good thing," she stated.
Now 48, Laila Ali lives in the Atlanta area with her husband, former NFL player Curtis Conway, and their two children. She recently authored her first children's book, "A Spark of Greatness: The Autobiography of a Fighter," which recounts her boxing journey and the principles of hard work, dedication, and discipline.
Tickets for the event were available through The Buoniconti Fund website or by phone.