All-time boxing greats: Top 5 best female boxers in history

3. Laila Ali (24-0, 21 KOs)

Yes, Laila Ali is the daughter of “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali. However, she proved to be an all-time great in her own right.

Ali didn’t pick up boxing until she was 18 years old. Ironically, she was inspired by watching female Christy Martin, who she eventually knocked out in 2004.

Ali proved to be a chip off the old block. She boxed for eight years and ended her career as an undefeated super middleweight champion. She also won a title as a light heavyweight.

By the numbers, Ali is one of the best KO punchers in women’s boxing history. She has a lifetime KO percentage of 87 percent.

People always speculated what would happen if Ali ever fought Wolfe, but that fight never happened. It might be the best female bout never to occur. An added feather in Ali’s cap is he KO victory over Mahfood, who is the only boxer to defeat Wolfe.

Mahfood stopped Wolfe in round 3 of their 2000 matchup but lost two later fights to Wolfe.

Ali has teased a comeback against current multi-division world champion Claressa Shields. Ali is 42 years old, and Shields is 25. An Ali comeback against Shields would be unwise, but one can wonder who would win if Ali was still in her prime. Ali retired from professional boxing in 2007.

Outside of the ring, Ali is a celebrity who has appeared in numerous television shows and is a published author.