Everyone wouldn't just accept that I wanted to be a fighter - because I wasn't someone that they envisioned could or would be a fighter.
Laila AliSometimes if you don't physically attempt something, you don't realize how sick to your stomach or how hard it is.
Laila AliI've always like watching competition and athleticism. Just seeing the average person going up against Gladiators, is always something I enjoy. I'm not really a big sports fan, but I do enjoy the show.
Laila AliMaybe if I completely shaved my head and get the frost out of my moustache, maybe I could get one of those serious acting jobs.
Laila AliIf I'm not prepared, I don't feel confident. It's something that you can have control of. You deserve what it is you're going after as long as you've done the work that needs to be done to prepare for it. You can't just have your hand out!
Laila AliThe wrestling, even though I would only wrestle for 15 or 20 or 30 minutes at a time, and it would look like that was the only time I was in it, was really a 24-hour job. Keeping yourself alive, reinventing yourself, staying physically in shape, the traveling, all the other commitments with being a wrestler, it was a crossover situation where it became sports entertainment and you actually became a media star, so it was very demanding.
Laila Ali