Introduction
The year was 2009, and the world was shocked to hear the news of the untimely death of Exodus Tyson’s mother, a former professional boxer and the daughter of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Her tragic death left her family, friends, and fans in sorrow and disbelief.
Early Life
Exodus Tyson’s mother, whose name was Laila Ali, was born on December 30, 1977, in Miami Beach, Florida. She was the eighth of nine children of Muhammad Ali and his third wife, Veronica Porché Ali. Laila grew up in California and later moved to Florida with her family.
From a young age, Laila was interested in sports and fitness. She played basketball, soccer, and ran track in high school. However, it was not until she was in her twenties that she started boxing professionally.
Boxing Career
Laila Ali started her boxing career in 1999, at the age of 21. She won her first professional fight against April Fowler in just 31 seconds. Over the next few years, she went on to win 24 more fights, with 21 of them being knockouts.
She became the WBC, WIBA, IWBF, and IBA female super-middleweight champion, and in 2002, she won the WIBA and IWBF light-heavyweight titles. In 2003, she was named the Women’s Boxer of the Year by the Women’s Boxing Association.
Retirement
In 2007, after a successful career, Laila Ali announced her retirement from professional boxing. She retired undefeated, with a record of 24 wins, no losses, and 21 knockouts.
Personal Life
Laila Ali was married to former NFL player Curtis Conway in 2007. They had two children together, a son named Curtis Muhammad Conway Jr., and a daughter named Sydney Jurldine Conway.
Exodus Tyson’s Death
On May 19, 2009, Laila Ali’s daughter, Exodus Tyson, was found unconscious at her home in Phoenix, Arizona. She was just four years old at the time. She had been playing on a treadmill when she accidentally got tangled in the cord and suffocated.
Laila Ali was devastated by the loss of her daughter. She released a statement saying, “Words cannot describe the pain that I’m feeling. I know that I have the strength to get through this, but it will be difficult.”
Legacy
Exodus Tyson’s death had a profound impact on Laila Ali and her family. In the years that followed, Laila became an advocate for child safety, raising awareness about the dangers of treadmills and other exercise equipment in the home.
Laila also continued to honor her father’s legacy by supporting various charitable causes, including the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Conclusion
The tragic story of Exodus Tyson’s mother is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing our loved ones while we have them. Laila Ali’s boxing career was impressive, but her greatest legacy will always be the love and strength she showed in the face of unimaginable loss.