Blinkx Video: SOUTH AFRICA: The daughter of the legendary boxer Mohammed Ali meets Nelson Mandela in the run-up to her first title fight on African soil.

SOUTH AFRICA: The daughter of the legendary boxer Mohammed Ali meets Nelson Mandela in the run-up to her first title fight on African soil.
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ITN Source

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SOUTH AFRICA: The daughter of the legendary boxer Mohammed Ali meets Nelson Mandela in the run-up to her first title fight on African soil.

Laila Ali, the daughter of the legendary boxer Mohammed Ali, met with Nelson Mandela today. Laila Ali is a women's boxing champion in her own right and is in South Africa for her first title fight on African soil. Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, met with Nelson Mandela on Tuesday (January 30). The two met privately before addressing the media. But Mandela - a former boxer - made it clear that he didn't have any special tips to give Ali. "I can't like advise present fighters, because I was a fighter many many many years ago, and the rules have differed, and so it's better for me to keep quiet, and not to say much...good luck," said Mandela. "The energy that I got from him is inspiration in itself, I'm already a strong person, I'm already confident but that just gives a little bit extra, you know...so I feel very special," said Laila. The 29-year-old Ali will defend her WBC and IBF super-middleweight titles against Guyanese fighter Gwendolyn O'Neil on February 3 at Emperor's Palace casino in Johannesburg.

ITN Source | January 31, 2007