Thousands Show Up For Laila Ali's Public Workout

By Craig Hoffman

(LOUISVILLE, July 26th, 2004, 5:30 p.m.) -- The Mike Tyson-Danny Williams fight is this Friday, but boxing fans got a big treat at 4th Street Live! Monday with an appearance from Laila Ali, the daughter of Louisville boxing legend Muhammad Ali. WAVE 3's Craig Hoffman was there.

So far nearly 13,000 tickets have been sold for the Tyson-Williams fight at Freedom Hall -- with a fight featuring Laila Ali on the undercard.

The public workouts downtown provided a chance to see all the boxers for those who can't afford to buy a ticket. And by lunchtime more than 2,000 people had packed 4th Street Live! to witness Laila Ali's public workout.

"I am not going to get to get to the fight," said Rhonda Stevens, "so I thought this was the next best thing to it."

Lee Ann McClure came all the way from Borden, Indiana to watch. "We thought we would just come down here and see Laila Ali -- I'm a big fan of her dad's. Just kind of interesting to see her."

Those who came were not disappointed. The undefeated Laila Ali dazzled the crowd during an hour-long workout.

Laila Ali says she heard the enthusiastic shouts from fans loud and clear. "I know there are a lot of Ali fans here -- this is where the Ali legacy began. It's my dad's hometown And I know people have a lot of love for me here. Obviously, they have a lot of energy."

More than 50 metro police officers kept watch over boxers and fans during the workout. There was talk that Ali's father or Mike Tyson might show up, but they never did.

Crowds are expected to be even bigger on Tuesday when Mike Tyson and Danny Williams take the ring for their public workouts. Louisville Metro Police Lt. Dion Collins says officers will be ready for possible "demonstrators and such because of his reputation -- we have dignitary protection teams watching out for him, intelligence teams gathering information."

Despite Tyson's checkered past, he still has many supporters like Crystal Grisby. "He deserves another chance. I like him. He's a good guy ... it's good he's trying to turn his life around and get his stuff together."

Mike Tyson and Danny Williams will work out at 4th Street Live! on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Online Reporter: Craig Hoffman

Online Producer: Michael Dever