It’s a Matchup for the Ages: Ali to Battle 48-Year-Old Mom

Laila Ali was originally scheduled to fight Jeanine Tracey tonight at the Universal Amphitheatre.

Instead, Ali will be fighting Marjorie Jones, the 48-year-old mother of Tracey’s boyfriend.

And you thought Laila’s father, Muhammad Ali, had colorful fights?

Jones is indisputably colorful, from her bright purple hair to her shrill, strident manner.

“What is in the mind of people is Ali, Ali, Ali,” said Jones, referring to the three-time former heavyweight champion. “But he is not throwing a punch. She [Laila] can’t live on what her daddy did. She’s just a kid who’s got a name, and now she believes her own hype.”

Jones, who is old enough to be the mother of 22-year-old Laila Ali, has a 2-4-1 record with two knockouts in a career that began only two years ago.

When Tracey and the promoters couldn’t agree on a purse, she stepped aside for Jones, who said at a Monday news conference that she is excited to be fighting at Universal City where the Hollywood stars work.

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There are two bona fide bouts on tonight’s card, which begins at 7:15. Welterweight Oba Carr (50-3-1, 30 knockouts), hoping for a future title shot, takes on Juan Soberanes (44-24-2, 32). And Carlos Navarro (21-1, 16) will defend his International Boxing Assn. Continental junior-lightweight crown against Nestor Lopez (19-6-2, 15).

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Fewer than 1,000 tickets remain for Saturday’s welterweight title match between Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley at Staples Center. Tickets can be obtained only through TicketMaster.