Occurred with roughly 40 seconds remaining in the round, sending Eplion to the canvas.
By the third round, the damage became irreversible. Ali, known for her precision jab and powerful right hand, knocked down the southpaw twice. The first knockdown came in the corner with just under 40 seconds remaining in the round. Before Eplion could even reset, Ali struck again, flooring her with less than 10 seconds left on the clock.
: Eplion beat the referee's count, only to be met with another ferocious onslaught. With less than 10 seconds remaining before the bell, Ali dropped her a second time. Round 4: The Stoppage laila ali vs nikki eplion new
Eplion retired immediately after the Ali loss (final record 9-2-1). She returned to law enforcement and later became a defensive tactics instructor for female officers. In a recent "new" interview, she stated: "I tell all my cadets—do not drop your right hand when slipping a jab. I learned that the hard way from the best."
Nikki Eplion bout took place on July 17, 2004 , at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, Maryland. Laila Ali won by Technical Knockout (TKO) at 1:26 of the fourth round , maintaining her undefeated professional record. The Washington Post Fight Review & Highlights Ali’s Fighting Style : Observers noted that Ali's style in this match was more deliberate and less flashy than her father's, yet highly effective. The "Beat-Down" Occurred with roughly 40 seconds remaining in the
Laila Ali responds to Claressa Shields' $15 million offer - Yahoo Sports
July 17, 2004 , clash between Nikki Eplion stands as a pivotal moment in women's boxing, showcasing the sheer dominance of Ali at her peak and the sport's growing commercial viability. Held at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, Maryland, this IBA World Female Super Middleweight The first knockdown came in the corner with
: Ali's performance was characterized by a deliberate, stalking style. She repeatedly cornered Eplion, using superior mobility and power to rain down blows. The Finish
The fight against Nikki Eplion was viewed by many in the media as a "tune-up." However, there was specific pressure on Ali: she had already signed to fight again in less than two weeks, on the undercard of a Mike Tyson pay-per-view event on July 30, 2004. A knockout loss or a severe beating would trigger an automatic medical suspension, jeopardizing that payday. "When you watch boxing and you know boxing, you assess your opponent's skill level," Ali famously said at the pre-fight news conference. "And I'm saying it's hard for me to get up for her because I know how easy this fight is going to be for me."