Shields is 17-0 with three knockouts and Ali was 24-0 with 21 knockouts when she retired in 2007. Laila Ali - IMDb
: 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
From the opening bell, the atmosphere inside the Pyramid Arena was electric. Ali, known for her technical proficiency and stinging jab—reminiscent of "The Greatest"—immediately sought to establish range. Eplion, however, proved to be a game opponent, refusing to be intimidated by the Ali name or the bright lights of the Tyson-Lewis undercard. She moved forward aggressively, attempting to negate Ali’s reach advantage by fighting on the inside.
The search for a "new" fight between Nikki Eplion in 2026 reveals no evidence of a modern rematch or comeback. Laila Ali retired from professional boxing in February 2007 with a perfect record and remains retired as of April 2026.
Going into the match, Laila Ali held a flawless record of 17-0 with 13 knockouts. As the daughter of global sporting icon Muhammad Ali, she constantly battled under the lens of intense media scrutiny. Yet, she continuously proved that her skill set was entirely her own. laila ali vs nikki eplion new
The renewed interest in Laila Ali stems from her potential return to boxing to face undisputed champion Claressa Shields. In late 2025 and early 2026, rumors swirled about a super-fight. Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has publicly challenged Ali, reportedly putting up to to lure the Hall of Famer out of retirement.
Fights against opponents like Eplion contributed to her reputation as the most successful female in the history of women's boxing.
Tactical analysis
Notes and assumptions
This article provides a definitive guide to the "Laila Ali vs. Nikki Eplion" fight, settling the question of its "newness" once and for all. We will take an in-depth look back at the 2004 championship bout, profile the two warriors, and then transition to the contemporary headlines explaining why a potential Laila Ali comeback is currently dominating boxing discussions.
Laila Ali finished her career undefeated.
Responding to the challenge, Laila Ali confirmed she was receiving multiple "flattering" offers for boxing matches. “I haven't responded purposely because that's not my focus right now. I call the shots. I do what I want to do, how I want to do it," Ali stated in an interview. She also noted that she is "the only woman that can ask for that kind of money," acknowledging that her return could bring massive attention to women's boxing.
Today, boxing trainers frequently use the video archive of the Ali-Eplion fight to teach orthodox students how to systematically dismantle aggressive southpaw fighters using lead right hands and proactive ring cutting. Shields is 17-0 with three knockouts and Ali
Both women played essential roles in bringing mainstream visibility to women's boxing during the early 2000s.
Ali employed a tactical masterpiece. She utilized her jab to keep the charging Eplion at bay, moving laterally and countering with sharp, precise combinations. Eplion showed heart and aggression, attempting to bully Ali against the ropes, but she struggled to cut off the ring.
Following the 2004 victory, Laila Ali continued her undefeated reign, eventually retiring in 2007 with a pristine . Nikki Eplion fought for a few more years before retiring in 2005 with a record of 14 wins and 3 losses.
The woman brave enough to step into the ring with her was Nikki "No Slack" Eplion, a 25-year-old southpaw from South Point, Ohio. Towering at 6 feet, Eplion was a formidable contender with a professional record of at the time. Eplion was saved by the bell, narrowly returning