Ali-Frazier IV: The Next Generation

By Serena Kappes

05/22/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

Boxers Laila Ali, 23, and Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, 39, will carry on the legacy of their famous dads (who fought three memorable fights) when they take the mantle and fight one another in June, it was announced on Wednesday by the Associated Press. Ali, who refers to herself as Queen Bee, made her professional boxing debut 16 months ago. At the Verona, N.Y., press conference to announce the fight (which may fittingly take place on Father's Day), Frazier (named Sister Smoke by Muhammad Ali), a lawyer who has won all six of her pro fights by knockout, boasted about Ali, "I'm going to eat that body up. She's not going to be able to walk the same." Ali, who is unbeaten in eight fights with seven knockouts, came back at Frazier with typical Ali aplomb, saying, "I'm actually going to try to drag it out to the end so I can whup her, put a beating on her." Seems like things are in order for the fight of a lifetime.