Ali used her lead left jab to neutralize Eplion's southpaw stance.
also retired shortly after her loss to Ali, following a final career bout against Jacqueline Rivers .
The victory over Eplion further propelled Ali into mainstream sports culture. Just two weeks later, she fought Monica Nunez in Louisville, Kentucky, cementing a busy and historical stretch in her career. laila ali vs nikki eplion new
In October 2025, Ali officially confirmed she is not coming out of retirement , stating that even a large payday would not motivate her to return to training after 18 years.
Entering the ring at 167¼ lbs, Ali brought an unblemished 17-0 record and her to the defense. Her opponent, Nikki Eplion (12-1-2), entered with confidence, famously stating in the pre-fight press conference that she didn't think Ali would have an "answer for [her] big left hand". Round-by-Round Breakdown Ali used her lead left jab to neutralize
: Eplion beat the referee's count, but Ali gave her no room to breathe. In the final 10 seconds of the round, another explosive combination put Eplion down for a second time. Eplion was saved by the bell, narrowly returning to her corner. Round 4: The Finish
The matchup showcased the refined boxing ability that allowed Ali to remain undefeated throughout her career. Just two weeks later, she fought Monica Nunez
Summary
If the fight had happened in 2006, here is the likely scenario:
: Following the fight, Ali famously remarked, "I had to put the beat-down on her," reflecting the aggressive competitive spirit that eventually led her to a perfect 24-0 career record.
After the fight, Ali famously remarked, "I had to put the beat-down on her." This victory solidified her as a force in the super middleweight division and helped pave the way for her perfect undefeated career record of 24-0 with 21 knockouts.