This is a somewhat personal story that I feel happy to share with the entire world about a friend of mine who has become a player in the world of boxing as a fight promoter; make room for Mr. Johnny "YahYa" McClain.

I know for him it is a dream come true; maybe even a dream beyond his vision. I've known Johnny for approximately thirteen years give or take, and some of the stories I have to tell only he and I will ever know... I think back to the days when we were both young in our professional careers as prizefighters, struggling and only trying our best to fulfill our dream of becoming World Champions. As our quest became more distant and almost unattainable we lowered our standards to being someone's Champion and yes we did obtain that goal. He became two-time WBU Cruiserweight Champion of the World and I became IBO Jr. Lightweight Champion of the World, so I guess we kinda became World Champions; not quite what we had in mind but nevertheless we were Champions.

Johnny was quite the hustler, he always found a way to make ends meet. We shared some trying times in those days. We would both be in the gym six days a week without a major promoter; just waiting on a call for an opportunity to slay Goliath. We both took fights solely because of our need for cash, we both took fights on extremely short notice "hoping to shake up the world". Maybe we never shook up the world but it wasn't because we didn't try.

Well of course now his life has taken a drastic change for the better. He's currently married to the daughter of the "Greatest of all Time" Mrs. Laila Ali McClain and has taken full control of her career and has done one hell of a job. My, how times have changed! The same guy who once had to wait and sit by the phone hoping to get a call for a fight as he struggled in his own career is now creating opportunities for those guys who appear to be in the position he once occupied.

Johnny and I have a deeply rooted passion for boxing and for the underdog as well. Since becoming a boxing promoter he has put on some pretty good shows; most noted of which is his co-promotion of the card that featured his wife against Jackie Frazier Lyde. Ali emerged victorious in what turned out to be a very entertaining fight.

Since relocating back to Las Vegas from Los Angeles McClain has done three shows in a three month span, providing opportunities for guys who the boxing world may have forgotten: Montell 'Ice' Griffin, 'King' Arthur Williams and some new young stars on the rise ready to take their place in boxing history such as former U.N.L.V. football standout and also professional kick boxer Dewey Cooper. Also the very beautiful and talented Jessica Rackozy and Melinda Cooper, a seventeen year old sensation, as well as the newly crowned USBA Cruiserweight Champion Kelvin "Koncrete" Davis.

So boxing world, make room for an old familiar face no longer waiting for the phone to ring but now calling the shots.