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Sunday, May 05, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Laila Ali speaks mind like dad

Women's title fight set June 7 in Mississippi

If there were any doubts about Laila Ali's bloodlines, she dispelled them Friday during a news conference at the Absoloot Boxing & Fitness Gym.

The 24-year-old Las Vegan, the daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali, showed her father's propensity for talking and showboating in announcing her June 7 fight with Suzy Taylor in Southhaven, Miss., for the International Boxing Association super middleweight title.

Minutes before the news conference began, Ali spoke quietly about her burgeoning career as a product endorser, noting that she recently picked up jobs for a hair care product and for Ford Motor Co., as well as her successful career inside the ring.

But when the news conference began, Ali evoked the image of her father, exchanging sharp words with Taylor and appearing as if they were about to come to blows. When Taylor began speaking of her own father, Ali shouted, "Your daddy will never be who my daddy is and you'll never be who I am. I'm going to knock you out."

Ali is 10-0 with eight knockouts in a professional career that began in 1999. She and Christy Martin are the best known women in the sport.

Taylor, who is 10-6-1, said many women boxers believe Ali is selfish and isn't doing enough to help their cause, instead preferring to capitalize on her notoriety for personal gain.

"Everything is all about Laila and I feel she has an obligation to the sport of women's boxing," Taylor said. "She should look past just what's good for Laila and look at the bigger picture of women's boxing."

Ali, though, dismissed such talk and said she is committed to helping women's boxing gain exposure. But she said she would be foolish to turn down some of the endorsements she's been offered.

But while Ali and her husband, Johnny McClain, know her name can make her money that most fighters, male or female, don't dream of making, she knows the most important thing is what happens inside the ring.

Despite having just 10 pro fights, and none in nearly a year because of shoulder surgery, she doesn't feel she is rushing herself. McClain, who doubles as his wife's promoter, originally wanted to match Ali with Freeda Foreman, the daughter of another Muhammad Ali opponent, George Foreman.

Laila Ali's last fight was a unanimous decision over Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, the daughter of Muhammad Ali's bitter rival Joe Frazier.

Freeda Foreman, who has been less than impressive in her brief career in the ring, turned the bout down.

"She doesn't want to fight me and I can understand, because even though we're both beginners, she's not on the level that I'm on," Ali said. "If I were her, I wouldn't want to fight me, either."

The same might be said for her fight with Taylor, Ali noted. Taylor has been a pro about 18 months longer than Ali and has seven more fights, but Ali said she isn't concerned.

Taylor is 1-4 in her last five fights, losing her most recent bout in the fourth round to Frazier-Lyde.

Ali expects a similar result on June 7.

"Suzy Taylor doesn't have many more fights than I have and with the people I have around me, I'm developing my skills and growing as a fighter," said Ali, whose trainer is Roger Mayweather.

"I know what the other girls have to offer because I have tape on them. I'm not walking in blind with no idea of what I'm getting into. And I know this is a fight I not only can win but will win. I will be bringing that belt back to Vegas," Ali said.