Could it be the `Thrilla in Bermuda'?

Absolutely, according to former two-time world champion come boxing promoter John McLain, who yesterday told of the distinct possibility of bringing a major card to the Island next year.

And the event will likely offer as the main attraction the preeminent boxing surname `Ali' - although the prefix would be Laila rather than that of her more famous dad, Muhammad.

Such was revealed yesterday during a mid-afternoon press conference to promote this weekend's Lori McNeil Celebrity Tennis Classic, which has drawn Ali and husband McLain to Bermuda, along with the likes of pro tennis stars Amanda Coetzer and Zina Garrison, basketball's Clyde Drexler and John Lucas, former New York mayor David Dinkins and actress Robin Givens.

"I love it here, the people are great, it's a great venue, and I think that because the Island is so small and everyone knows everyone, that will help to generate a really big buzz about a fight being here," said McLain, who held the WBU cruiserweight title in 1995 and 1997 and now heads up Absolute Boxing.

"The potential for a fight to be here is phenomenal and I'm going to do it. I'm going to bring a fight here, maybe not her first fight back, because I want to see how she's looking and everything, but maybe her second fight back I want to bring her here to fight.

"I think that boxing, especially female boxing, is something that needs worldwide exposure, so why continue to have fights in the States only. I can bring a big fight here. So sometime next year, right before summer would be lovely."

Ali, who defeated defeated Jackie Frazier-Lyde, the daughter of Joe Frazier, in her last fight, is set to undergo surgery to remove bone spurs that are pinching both rotator cuffs and have the potential to cause a tears if left untreated.

However, the fighter remains confident of coming back stronger and better than ever, willing to take on allcomers in her quest for the super middleweight title, including the daughter of another famous heavyweight, George Foreman - Freda - who has also been linked to a fight against Frazier-Lyde.

"It's (career) moving along. I'm a beginner, so I have a lot to learn and there's a lot I want to accomplish as far as my skills are concerned," said the boxing beauty. "But I couldn't ask for anything more. I thank God everyday that I'm healthy and able to get out there do what I want to do.

"I'm actually not going to be fighting for a while because I have to get shoulder surgery, so I'm not talking about fighting anybody right now, but when I get back, if Freda wants some she can have some too."

Ali added how she was delighted to be a part of the tennis event, particularly with it designed to benefit the Island's youth, while McLain was squarely focused on his new passion . . . golf.

"I wanted to come out and encourage the kids to play tennis and people to come out and participate more," said Ali. "I always like to get involved with anything that has to do with kids, because the future is important.

"I don't have a tennis game. I don't play, but I'm going to get involved with the tennis clinic. I'll be out there playing with everybody, learning the game.

"With the golf tournament, my husband is a big golf player, so I'm here to support him in the tournament and everyone else playing.

"I'm just having fun. I love Bermuda, I've never been here before, and I think it's going to be my vacation spot now . . . it's beautiful."

McLain also sent out a challenge to local golfers who would dare enter Saturday's captain's choice tournament at Port Royal, putting on his best promotional rhetoric.

"I'm an American that has come over here, and I'm challenging all Bermudians or Bermies, or however they want to put it, to come to the Port Royal Golf Club and if they participate I'll annihilate them, believe that."

Follow through: Boxing star Laila Ali shows off her on court skills ahead of Friday's Lori McNeil CelebrityTennis Classic.