Laila Ali got a taste of the potential of pay-per-view when her fight with Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, Joe Frazier’s daughter, generated a reported 100,000 buys 2001.
That number is nothing compared to what a much-talked-about showdown between the daughter of Muhammad Ali and two-time Olympic champion Claressa Shields could do today. At least that’s how Mark Taffet, Shields’ manager, sees it.
And Taffet should know. He was HBO’s pay-per-view guru when he was a vice president with the premium cable company.
“It can not only be one of the biggest female pay-per-view fights, but I can make it one of the biggest pay-per-view fights — period,” Taffet told BoxingScene.com. “Hopefully they step up. Claressa has the confidence and she wants to step up to the plate and be a game changer. Laila can do the same. I hope she and her team engage in significant conversations.
“We would love to bring that fight to the public. They will make more money than they ever dreamed of. I will marshal every single resource to make sure we get the best revenue.”
Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) has quickly emerged as a star in the professional ranks, winning titles in three divisions in only 10 fights. The 25-year-old turned pro in 2016, shortly after winning her second gold medal.
Ali (24-0, 21 KOs) was a dominating fighter in her day but she’s 42 and hasn’t fought since 2007. She’s now a TV host.
That isn’t lost on Taffet, who understands that Ali would need time to get into fighting shape.
“We wouldn’t want her in the ring if she was not at her best, mentally and physically,” he said. “That takes time. We can make sure the best version of Laili Ali fights so that the public knows it’s getting the best fight possible. If marketed and publicized appropriately, it would make it a significant event.
“If Laila steps up, I can make that deal in a day. All we need are willing participants on the other side. Ali has to walk it, not talk about it. If they will, I will take them on a journey they will never regret.”
He went on: “It’s a big commitment to come back. We recognize that. I understand and respect that greatly. It’s hard to say if a fight can get done. I hope Laila believes in herself the same way we do in ourselves. When the best fight the best, there are no losers. The public loves it.”