11.02.05 – The Ann Wolfe Camp cannot believe the recent comment made by Johnny “Yahya” McLain that, “We’ve tried to make that fight so many times.” The Wolfe Camp would like to set the record straight. Ann Wolfe’s promotional company Prize Fight Promotions has been trying to put together the Ali/Wolfe fight for the past few months..
In fact, Prize Fight Promoter Brian Young met with McLain and his attorney in Las Vegas on December 29, 2004 to negotiate putting together the fight. Young said the meeting was pleasant and that McLain was in good spirits. Young said when the meeting was over he believed (at the time) that everyone was in agreement to move forward.
Young said that Prize Fight offered in writing: (1) $150,000.00 to Johnny McLain, (2) $350,000.00 guaranteed to Laila Ali, (3) To allow Johnny McLain’s Absoloot Entertainment Company to be the lead promoter, (4) 75% of the net revenues from the PPV buys to Johnny McLain’s Absoloot Boxing and Laila Ali. Even though these offers were made, McLain never offered to put up any money of his own for this fight.
It is believed that $350,000 is the highest fight purse that Laila Ali has ever been offered.
Ann Wolfe has already agreed to the terms of her end of the deal and is anxiously awaiting the fight.
Prize Fight says at the present time the contract talks have stalled due to Yahya wanting all the funds required to put on the fight to be transferred into his own bank account.
Prize Fight would like to make it clear to all fight fans that they have gone above and beyond to put the Ali/Wolfe fight together, including assuming all the financial risks for this fight to happen. Brian Young says there are three dates and venues on hold in Biloxi, MS. and Memphis, TN.
Prize Fight says they have the venue, dates, and means to make this fight happen, but they’re still waiting on a phone call from the Ali Camp to resume negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Ann Wolfe Camp believes that it’s not Laila who’s afraid of Ann Wolfe, but in fact it’s Johnny McLain who’s scared to see his wife get in the ring with the REAL Super Middle Weight and Light Heavy Weight Champion. And, the Wolfe camp says they don’t blame Johnny McLain one bit for not wanting to take this risky fight.
The Wolfe Camp would like to confirm for Laila Ali that “yes, Ann Wolfe does want to fight you and, yes, the Wolfe Camp wants to see it happen too, that is why we’ve been working so hard to put it together. All the Ali Camp has to do is sign the dotted line.”