VERONA, N.Y. — It wasn't quite the "Thrilla in Manila," and Laila Ali is not likely to remind many folks of her father.
But the youngest of Muhammad Ali's seven daughters was good enough to win a majority decision Friday over Jacqui Frazier-Lyde in a bout of offspring billed as Ali-Frazier IV.
It was by far the toughest bout for either woman in their brief careers. And befitting their fathers, they fought at a fierce pace, both slugging it out in the middle of the ring during the 8-round bout.
Joe Frazier and his wife, Florence, were at ringside, but Muhammad Ali had a prior commitment and couldn't attend. He had plenty of advice for Laila, nonetheless.
"I talked to him before the fight," his daughter said. "He told me to use my arm distance, jab, drop the right hand, move, and don't get into a brawl with her.
"I know he's going to be like, 'That Laila, she did everything I told her not to do.' "
It was enough to beat Frazier-Lyde. But Ali, 23, wasn't totally satisfied.
"I really didn't know what she could take or what to expect," Ali said. "I know I wasn't doing what I was supposed to do, so I had a lot on my mind." It tells me I need to get back in the gym."
Frazier-Lyde, a 39-year-old mother of three, stormed after Ali in the first round, intent on scoring the knockout she had promised. Ali withstood the barrage, abandoning her strategy, and countered with several shots to Frazier-Lyde's head.
The second round produced more of the same, and it ended with the pair slamming each other while standing toe to toe.
In the third, Ali stunned Frazier-Lyde with two hard lefts to the head, knocked out her mouthpiece and finished the round with a six-punch combination that staggered Frazier-Lyde some more.
It went that way for the rest of the fight.
"I thought it could go either way," Frazier-Lyde said. "I have to look at it to see. I wasn't surprised. She was very aggressive and had a lot of heart, basically what I was expecting."
Judge Frankie Adams scored the fight 79-73 for Ali, Tommy Hicks had it even at 76, and Don Ackerman had it 77-75 for Ali, who weighed 160 3/4 pounds. Frazier-Lyde, who has lost nearly 50 pounds since she began boxing, weighed 164.
The bout attracted a great deal of attention worldwide, with more than 300 media credentials issued. It took place in an 8,000-seat tent erected on a parking lot behind the Turning Stone Casino, and just about every seat was filled at fight time.
All the attention also helped produce a nice return for the two fighters. Each was guaranteed a six-figure payday.
Will there be another?
"She fought hard, a good strong fight," Ali said. "I'm glad I won fighting her fight, but I want to move on. I want some championship belts around my waist."
As Joe Frazier got set to leave, he said he put his longstanding feud with Muhammad Ali behind. He seemed wistful that Ali missed the night.
"It's over. I just don't want no more problems," Frazier said. "If I see him tomorrow, I'll say, 'Hey man, let's get along. Forgive me and I'll forgive you.' I'm tired of the harsh, dirty words. I don't want to go back to that no more."