Laila Ali

Children's Literature

Following in her father's large footsteps, Laila Ali is blazing her own trail as a professional boxer. Although she still has some distance to go to compare with the great Muhammad Ali, she has acquitted herself well so far in her nascent boxing career. This book, part of the publisher's "Great Female Athletes/Women Who Win" series, tells the story of the second generation of Ali family boxers. In discussing Ali's life and career, the author, to her credit, does not back away from touching upon Muhammad's various marriages and Laila's long estrangement from her father. Nevertheless, this work focuses on Laila Ali's boxing career, her motivation and her victories. Women's boxing is a relatively recent phenomenon and now features several stalwarts whose fathers were former world champions, such as Joe Frazier and George Foreman. Indeed, Laila Ali fought Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, Joe's daughter. However, in the book's most glaring omission, the author does not reveal who won that fight, despite writing about the pre-fight hype and including a photo from the match. While the book's labeling of Laila Ali as "a great female athlete" is premature, the title remains a solid choice for young readers seeking to learn more about this new boxer. 2001, Chelsea House Publishers, $19.75. Ages 10 to 15. Reviewer: Bruce Adelson