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Today marks 15 years, since the historic Laila Ali became super middleweight champion of the World Boxing Council, defeating Erin Toughill at the MCI Center, Washington, D.C.
Laila punished Erin, who was an experienced and respected MMA fighter, hurting her nose and affecting her performance.
In the third round Ali landed more than 20 punches without a response until Toughill turned her back, obliging Referee Joseph Cooper to stop the fight at 1:59.
With this victory, Laila improved her record to 21-0 with 18 knockouts, and won the WBC crown on the card where her father, the legendary Muhammad Ali, was present.
“Now I am a WBC champion. It is wonderful. I am honored to be fighting in front of my father,” said Laila who was 27 years old at the time of that fight.
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