Laila Ali and Jacqui Frazier surprised the critics and delighted the fans by slugging it out for eight furious rounds before Ali won a majority points decision in central New York state on Friday.
While the two fighters gave ample evidence of their inexperience, throwing wild, off-balance punches, they treated the crowd of about 6,500 to a display of guts and determination that did their famous fathers proud. Judge Don Ackerman scored the fight 75-75, Tommy Hicks made it 76-76 and Frankie Adams had Ali winning 79-73.
Joe Frazier was ringside to watch his 39-year-old daughter, who fought like a Frazier, always moving forward, looking to get in close to land one of her looping left hooks. Muhammad Ali was in Brooklyn, Michigan, for a cameo appearance at a NASCAR event.
His 23-year-old daughter had the stronger punches, especially on the inside. She, too, reminded ringsiders of Muhammad Ali when she held Frazier behind the head with her left hand and punched her in the head with the right.
There were no knockdowns in the fight. Frazier had a swelling beneath her left eye and at the end she went back to her corner and kissed her father on the cheek. She now has a 7-1 career record. Ali is 10-0.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
