The daughter of a boxing legend could showcase her own talent in the sport here early next year.

If plans materialise, Laila Ali - who steps into the ring for her first title fight tomorrow night - could appear on a boxing card on the Island in March. The matches are being organised as part of a spectacular charity launch by Ali's husband and trainer Johnny (Yahya) McClain.

“I'm not sure but there's definitely a chance she might be (fighting here in March),” said McClain, in a telephone interview with The Royal Gazette from the USA yesterday.

Bermuda could be Ali's first outing as a champion if she wrests the Interational Boxing Association (IBA) Super Middleweight belt from current holder Suzy Taylor. Ali's father, former world heavyweight boxing titan, Muhammad Ali, will be at ringside for tomorrow's clash at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Explaining that he and Ali have both recently established charities, McClain, 34, said he wanted to launch his youth organisation - Absolute Awareness Foundation (AAF) - here with a four-day, multi-event programme, involving numerous celebrities. Seminars and concerts will also feature in McClain's package.

“My foundation will teach youth life-survival skills through sports and seminars. I want to give kids the opportunity to learn things they are not taught at school or home but things they are going to need to make it in life like how to keep the money you make by investing it.”

McClain hopes to discuss his launch idea with potential sponsors and other officials while in Bermuda next month when he and Ali take part in the second annual Lori McNeil/Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic (September 18-21).

Ultimately, AAF's headquarters will share premises with McClain's Las Vegas gym and the former World Boxing Union (WBU) Cruiserweight champion intends to offer a blend of boxing and classes.

“I will have the boxing gym on one side and classrooms on the other side. So kids can go from training and learning the craft of boxing to learning about nutrition and conditioning and other things that will help them in their careers, whether it's boxing or something else.”

McClain's desire to champion a youth-related cause in Bermuda follows in the footsteps of McNeil whose Classic raises money for the development of junior tennis here. McClain and Ali will be making their second appearance at this event.

“Last year was fantastic. We had a ball and we loved Bermuda and it's a very good cause. It's to help kids and that's important to us. We do a lot of stuff like that,” said McClain.

He urged Bermudians to support the Classic for which packages can be bought. Noting that he was raised by a single mother in New York, McClain said it was tough trying to break into boxing without a helping hand so he knows well the frustrations of aspiring professional sportspersons.

His 24-year-old wife, on the other hand, has to contend with people assuming she has had it easy because of her lineage. However, that is additional motivation for her.

“The whole world is waiting for her to fail. Everyone's watching her. She is under the microscope all the time but she's a real trooper.

“She definitely thrives on that. The more negative things that are said about her, the harder she trains,” said her other half.

He described tomorrow night as a historic one with a second Ali seeking a world title. He has no doubt about the outcome.

“Laila has been training for this fight since her last fight (June 8, 2001). She has been building up and now she has peaked. She's at the top of her game and ready to put in the work on Saturday night.”

Asked how long Taylor, who is making her first defence, has held the Super Middleweight crown, he replied: “I'm not sure - but I can tell you when she is giving it up.”

l Persons interested in finding out more about the Lori McNeil/Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic can log on to www.btdf.bm or call David Lambert at 239-8908.