Plans are in the works for Bermuda to play host to some of the biggest names in boxing in the not so distant future.

Former World Boxing Union and World Boxing Council champion Johnny (Yahya) McClain, husband of Laila Ali, is currently on local soil seeking sponsorship for an attempt to stage top professional bouts on the Island.

Among the list of potential boxers are former world heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon and former world lightweight champion Montel Griffin.

And there also remains the mouth-watering prospect of a female bout between McClain's wife Laila - daughter of Muhammad Ali - and Freda Foreman, daughter of George Foreman.

McClain wants to hold the event over the Cup Match holiday at a venue still to be decided.

Bermudian Leroy Robinson, who handles all international affairs for McClain's Absoloot Entertrainment Inc., has been in discussions with local agencies in a bid to lay the foundation for the card which he wants to become an annual event.

"Initially there was nothing planned as far as an event of any sort for that date (Cup Match weekend), so we thought that the timing was perfect to get it off the ground and once it is was success we would flirt with the dates and maybe start scheduling some of these events during the off-season so it could boost Bermuda," said Robinson.

McClain recently promoted his wife's successful bout against Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, the daughter of Joe Frazier, held in New York last June and he generally feels the Island would be a great location for similar events.

"The thing that was quite unique about that, was that the fight was held in a very small town in up-state New York. The casino that played hosts to the fight only had a ballroom that could seat 800 people. So what I did was hold a prelude to the fight, I had a fight there before to let them see how I work," added McClain.

"Then I talked them into erecting a tent outside that could hold 8,000 people. It was a huge success. Therefore, I think that by using the same tactics and format and everything else that I used for that fight, I believe that I could do the same thing here and bring a lot of entertainment, excitement and a lot of capital, because I wish to make this event beneficial for all parties involved . . . the Island as the hosts, my company and the fighters."

McClain added that a percentage of the proceeds would go towards the construction of a proper facility where future boxers could nurture their skills.

"Presently I understand that are just two trainers here on the Island that are training fighters from out of their homes. This is not conducive for a professional or an amateur to reach their goals."

A native of Los Vegas, Nevada, McClain realised a life-long dream of opening his own gym back home earlier this month which he says has been "a huge success".

"I have always noticed how important it is to give back to people that are trying to do the same thing that you are trying to do, especially when you have come up the hard way as I did myself . . . I am no silver-spoon guy.

"So I have empathy as well as sympathy for the fighters here on the Island who don't have anywhere to train. That would be very important to me and very dear to my heart to see that happen."