Laila Ali: The Rekindled Flame

Written by: Gail Nobles 4/17/2025

Sketch by: Gail Nobles

Listen, a vision of savage grace, LAILA ALI, daughter of the mighty CASSIUS (Muhammad Ali), is she! In her boxing days, she was the LANTERN, and its very FLAMES! She stood tall and those eyes were fierce that blazed with the unquenchable fire of a jungle cat! When she walked into the screaming, sweat-soaked coliseums of man, she was a sunburst of fury! Her hands, swift as the viper’s strike, were incandescent weapons, her footwork a whirlwind of devastating power! She LIT THE ARENA with the incandescent fury of her fists! 

 But the years march onward, and now, she has ascended her throne, a queen upon her dais, far from the brutal symphony of the ring. Yet, the LANTERN remains! It stands tall, fixed to a mighty pole, casting a shimmering glow upon her regal countenance. The light dances in her eyes, reflecting… what? 

 Observe her! Is that the faintest flicker of the old flame? Does she, in the depths of her royal contemplation, hear the distant thunder of the crowd? Does the scent of blood and sweat, the roar of the triumphant victor, still call to the warrior queen?  Could it be? Could the fires of LAILA ALI be rekindled? 

Could the world once more witness the blazing glory of the LANTERN AND ITS FLAMES unleashed upon an unlucky foe? Only time will tell. But let men and women whisper the question: Will the Queen reclaim her throne amongst the gladiators, and will her fury light up the arena again?