Laila Ali Received Honor at Sports Legends Dinner
The former boxing champion was recognized at the gala, which raises funds for spinal cord injury research.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Boxing
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Laila Ali was honored at the 2026 Greatest Sports Legends Dinner held in Atlanta. She and her father, Muhammad Ali, became the first father-daughter pair to receive the award.
Why it matters
The honor recognizes recipients for their dual achievements in sports and philanthropy. The event serves as the primary fundraising platform for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
Laila Ali retired with an undefeated 24-0 record, including 21 knockouts and five world championships. Her professional career spanned from 1999 to 2007.
The players
Laila Ali
She is a former professional boxer and the daughter of Muhammad Ali who also published the children's book A Spark of Greatness.
Muhammad Ali
He was a professional boxer and the first recipient of the Greatest Sports Legends Dinner award in 1986.
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
This research organization focuses on spinal cord injuries and neurological diseases and hosts the annual awards dinner.
The details
Laila Ali received the award during a ceremony hosted by The Miami Project at a hotel in Midtown. The organization supports research into neurological conditions such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and CTE, as well as spinal cord injuries.
Timeline
October 26, 1985: Marc Buoniconti suffered a spinal cord injury.
October 1, 1986: The inaugural Greatest Sports Legends Dinner was held.
1999-2007: Laila Ali's professional boxing career.
October 5, 2026: The 2026 Greatest Sports Legends Dinner took place.
Season Trajectory
The involvement of Laila Ali continues a tradition established by The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis to link sports legacy with neurological research. This event bridges the gap between past boxing achievements and modern medical advocacy.
The dinner serves as a major fundraising vehicle for spinal cord research, directly impacting the resources available for ongoing clinical trials. Local residents and attendees contribute to these research efforts through their participation in the gala.
The takeaway
The event highlights the intersection of professional athletic success and long-term philanthropic commitment. Supporting such initiatives provides critical funding for neurological research that impacts patient care.
Further reading
For more news on the sport, visit Boxing.
More information
Find full details on the gala at the Greatest Sports Legends Dinner event information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.
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