SOUTH AFRICA: BOXING - Laila Ali and Gwendolyn O'Neil take final weigh-in

Laila Ali and Gwendolyn O'Neil take their final pre-fight medical weigh-in. Laila Ali lashed out at Gwendolyn O'Neil at Emperors Palace near Johannesburg earlier this week when she weighed in at 79.98 kg for their fight at the same venue on Saturday night. But on Friday on their final pre-fight medical weigh-in, both boxers were within their limit of 76,20kg. Ali, who will defend her world super middleweight title, looked subdued and relaxed. The two will make history when they become the first women to top the bill of a tournament in South Africa. Ali easily won the verbal battle earlier this week, showing the talent she got from her famous father who used to be known as the 'Louisville Lip'. Recalling their previous meeting, Ali said, "She got knocked down three times and could not beat the count in the third round." Women's title fights are fought over ten two-minute rounds instead of 12 rounds of three minutes each. Boxing critics allege that Gwendolyn O'Neil stares defeat in the face when she collides with WBC and WIBA super middleweight champion Laila Ali at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg tomorrow night. This is not because the 37-year-old challenger is a no-hoper. It is because O'Neil should also defeat her worst opponent - altitude. But the former WIBC light heavyweight champion seem not worried. She instead has promised to end Ali's supremacy. Ali stopped O'Neil in three rounds in 2004.

ITN Source | February 3, 2007

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