JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - Laila Ali successfully defended her WBC and WIBA world titles Saturday, knocking out Gwendolyn O'Neil in the first minute of the first round of their scheduled 10-round super middleweight fight.
Ali, the daughter of former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, headlined the first women's professional boxing match in South Africa. The 29-year-old Ali improved to 24-0 with 21 knockouts.
"I have my cell phone back in the dressing room, and I will be giving my father a call," she said.
It took only two stiff straight rights from Ali before English referee Ian John Lewis counted out the challenger from Guyana.
Ali apologized to fans - including former South African President Nelson Mandela - for the brevity of the fight.
"I would have liked to have shown the fans a few more rounds, but, hey, I'm happy with the KO," she said.
However, Ali took a punch to her left eye in early exchanges and was unable to see out of it.
"I was glad to land that first right and have a chance to let it clear," she said.
O'Neil fell on her back after that right, and took a mandatory eight-count before continuing.
However, she was clearly stunned and it was a matter of time before the second straight right landed. A wobbly O'Neil struggled to her feet but was counted out.
Ali barely made the 168-pound weight limit at Friday's weigh-in.
"This will be my last fight for a while," said Ali, who previously said she plans to have a family.
Ali also met with Mandela's ex-wife, human-rights activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in Soweto and spoke to students at a local school during her visit.