Spark of Greatness

The true story of how Laila Ali went from being the daughter of the beloved boxing champion Muhammad Ali to being an undefeated boxer herself, by nurturing the spark of something great inside her.

Are champions born or made? You might look at Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, and think she was born to be a boxer. But you'd be wrong about Laila.

Growing up, Laila adored her dad, but it wasn’t always easy to share him with the world. She had a quiet fire inside—strong, stubborn, and fierce—and sometimes it got her into trouble.

It wasn’t until she was a young woman that she learned women could box, too. That fire inside her finally had a home. Through hard work, focus, and heart, Laila learned how to channel her strength—and to believe in herself.

Written by Laila herself and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Cozbi A. Cabrera, this beautiful true story of resilience and determination encourages every reader to find their own spark, trust their power, and let their inner confidence shine.