ALI VS FRAZIER,,,THE DAUGHTER VERSION

NEW YORK (INSIDE BOXING) The longstanding rivalry between "Smokin’ Joe" Frazier and Muhammad Ali is set to be done again. Only this time, daughters Laila Ali and Jacqui Frazier will be substituting for their "old men".

At the New York Turning Stone Casino, where just 16 months ago Laila Ali made her professional debut, Jacqui Frazier was present with Ali to announce the finalization of a contract agreement. Promoters have set a June date, maybe even on Fathers Day, for the ladies to do battle. Although no site has been confirmed, both sides agreed the Turning Stone Casino would be very attractive.

With both daughters having their famous fathers’ support, much attention has been given the pair. Neither has been considered a serious challenge to take any title in the middleweight division as of yet, but both show enthusiasm and a lot of heart.

Laila Ali is the more polished of the two. At 23 years of age and 5’10" she is tall and slender with a strong natural beauty that makes one wonder why she took on the sport of boxing. Her ring record is 8-0 with 7 KO’s.

Jacqui Frazier, who is 39 years old and the mother of three, has lost an incredible 46 pounds over the last six months. Besides her boxing venture she is a practicing attorney. She expects to weigh around 168 pounds at fight time. Her ring record is 6-0 with 6 KO’s.

Being this was the first time the two had formally met, Frazier gave the appearance of a friendly meeting. She had her people bring a cake on stage that was in the shape of a heart. She gave a nice speech about her opponent that relaxed even Laila Ali.

All of a sudden, Frazier wound up and punched her fist dead into the center of the cake saying, "I’m gonna eat that body up! She (Ali) will never walk the same!" Frazier then flexed her large biceps before returning to her seat.

"I knew she was gonna do something", said Ali. "She has to think up something just to get attention". The "Queen Bee", as Ali is known, said it will be relatively easy to dispatch of Frazier. She further stated she won’t hesitate to prolong the fight just to embarrass Frazier.

Frazier said she really has just one wish. "I would like to see my father and Muhammad Ali embrace and enjoy the moment. I’ve always felt like my father loved Muhammad Ali more than Muhammad Ali loved my father. I think she carries the same spirit that her dad has."

In closing, Jacqui Frazier said that Laila Ali had disrespected her own father by comparing herself to him. "She can’t truly mean it when she compares herself to him. I think that shows how inconsiderate she is and I’m gonna beat her tail for her daddy, too!"

Johhny McClain, the manager and fiancee of Ali, said Frazier is little more than a fly that won’t go away. "She (Frazier) is constantly calling names and bothering Laila. It’s time to take the challenge and get rid of her."

The months of taunting by Frazier have finally paid off…or should she be careful of what she wished for?

Boy Wonder

02/08/01