Frazier's daughter eyes Ali date
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Your support makes all the difference.Joe Frazier watched his daughter win for the second time in a ring - but today it is Jacqui Frazier-Lyde who will provide support for her father, the former world heavyweight champion - in a court of law.
Frazier-Lyde, a Philadelphia lawyer, stopped Annie Brooks 21 seconds into the third round of the fight here on Sunday. Now she is scheduled to assist in closing arguments in her father's federal lawsuit. The former fighter is accusing the police of using excessive force when they arrested him on drunken driving charges. Frazier was acquitted in September 1998. "We hope justice will be done," Frazier-Lyde said.
No sooner had Frazier-Lyde disposed of Brooks than her attention turned to Laila Ali, the 21-year-old daughter of her father's great rival Muhammad Ali. She also won her second professional bout in the same ring in November.
Promoters are predicting the pair will meet in October to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their fathers' third fight, the "Thrilla in Manila", won by Ali when Frazier failed to come out for the 15th round. "We're working on it," the promoter, Lou Fugazy, said. "We're going to do it."
Around 1,900 people saw Frazier-Lyde earn three standing eight counts against Brooks, who landed few punches despite being 10 years younger than her 38-year-old opponent. Brooks, of Hickory, North Carolina, weighed 198lbs for the fight, 25lbs heavier than Frazier-Lyde. Brooks ducked her head and protected herself with her gloves throughout the bout.
"She was waiting for me to stop punching so she could deliver her punch," Frazier-Lyde said. "I was throwing double jabs to prevent her from doing something."
Frazier-Lyde is scheduled to fight again on 7 April in Verona, New York. "I thought she did a fine job against a tough young lady," Joe Frazier said. "This was tougher than the first match. I explained to her that this isn't like working the telephone."
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