It may be a sacrilege to label this Ali-Frazier IV, but who except the
heartless in the boxing world can say that they have no interest in
finding out who will win Friday's fight between the daughters of
Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier?
That's the appeal of the matchup between
Laila Ali and Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, to be shown on pay-per-view from the
Oneida Indian Nation's Turning Stone Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Sure, I'd rather see Christy Martin-Lucia Rijker, but who would watch
that besides a handful of us fanaticos? At best that fight could be on
the undercard of another major pay-per-view show, but could it headline
its own major pay-per-view, or grab the cover of TV Guide?
The fact is that this fight represents a continuation of the greatest
sports story and rivalry of the 20th century in the new millennium. And
although neither Ali nor Frazier-Lyde are anywhere remotely
close to the level of fighter that their legendary dads were, the fact
also remains that this fight may just serve as an inspiration to a new
generation of young women fighters who may watch it or hear about it and
say to themselves, "You know what? I can do that, too!"
It is this historic context that is being lost on those who simply judge
this fight by the same criteria they judge most other fights. True,
Frazier-Lyde's record of 7-0 with seven KOs, mostly against opponents who
never fought professionally before or since, means little at best. And
Ali has looked less than stellar against an array of opponents with
losing records. But to expect the level of women's boxing, which has no
Olympic status, to be anywhere near the men's division is ludicrous and
ahistorical.
At least one network suit has declared that he will stand in the doorway
and bar any women's boxing from his broadcasts. The lack of exposure and
money means that it is that much more difficult to develop a cadre of
top women boxers who have the time and resources necessary to train, to
improve, and to face top opposition.
This fight and its marquee value just may help funnel some more
resources into women's boxing, and thus also help those top-notch women
boxers who are already fighting on a high level.
True, neither of these women can shock the world when it comes time to
bob and weave, to throw or withstand the left hook, and, if you will, to
float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. But that is missing the
point. The appeal of this fight is chiefly its human side. It is loaded
with social importance that far outpoints the skill level and experience
of its participants. And the residual effect will likely help the
women's side of the sport.
I also sense a tone of revenge against Muhammad Ali in the opposition to
this fight. Most of the boxing journalists of the 1960s opposed Ali's
opposition to the Vietnam War and racism, refused to call him by his
right name, were scared to death of his friendship with Malcolm X and
his religion, denigrated his boxing skills, and just wanted him to go
away, or at least become a "good Negro."
Now, that anti-Ali backlash is being revived by Mark Kram in his book
"Ghosts of Manila." He is echoed in those sentiments, and in opposition to
this fight, by Jack Newfield, who agreed with much of Kram's assessment
in an article in Sunday's New York Post. Newfield also labeled Friday's
fight "a burlesque" and barked, "I plan to boycott."
Not surprisingly, Newfield offers no such vows of resistance to the
unequal state of women in this men's game. Rather than the Ghosts of
Manila, Newfield sounds more like the ghosts of Dick Young and Red
Smith, the old reactionary guard that couldn't have its way.
Unless this fight turns out to be a major fiasco or embarrassment,
which I doubt it will, it may just help boxing in general and women's
boxing in particular. One day, perhaps, boxing will have its version of
the Williams sisters and women stars who are both as popular and
talented as those tennis stars are.
But this fight may just put to rest
the patriarchal myth that only the actions of the sons matter. Malcolm X
and Betty Shabazz had six daughters, and wrestling legend Dan Gable has
four daughters. Sometimes it is up to the women to pick up their
family's torch.
So Thrilla in Manila it may not be, but hey, give the women a chance to
breathe. Don't let those who wanted Muhammad Ali to stay in the back of
the bus in his day, or these women fighters to stay in the kitchen or
the office today, stop you from checking it out. It may succeed or fail,
but at least give it a fighting chance.
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