FLEETWOOD "assassin" Jane Couch has thrown the first punches in a war of words - promising to knock Laila Ali out in three rounds if they meet in March.

Couch said negotiations to stage her dream fight with Muhammad Ali's daughter in March next year, were progressing well.

The proposed venue is London's Earls Court but Ali, who knocked-out April Fowler in 35 seconds earlier in the month, would have to remain undefeated for the contest to go ahead.

However, Jane, who would have to step up to middleweight for the fight, said she would be willing to meet Ali on the moon if she had to - and she'd still knock her out.

Current WBF and WIBF Welterweight Title champion, Couch said: "I'll knock her out in three rounds, no problems. I've seen the way she is, how she fights and I'll take her in three."

And Couch insisted Ali won't be floating like a butterfly or stinging like a bee.

"She'll have to run because I've just got too much experience for her. "I'm not intimidated by her surname at all. I have a lot of respect for Muhammad Ali. He was a great fighter but just because her father was a top fighter doesn't mean that she'll follow in his footsteps.

"But she thinks she can beat anyone. She's confident, but just wait until we get her in the ring.

"And it will be great to stage the fight in London, the same arena where Ali beat Brian London. But don't worry, I'll get revenge for Brian next March.

"It was difficult to gauge Ali in her last fight against Fowler because she was fighting someone who couldn't box.

"But she's got a couple of fights coming up in the next two months so we can see what she's really made of."

Jane is currently looking forward to her next bout for the lightweight title in Raynes Park, London, on October 31 against Australian Sharon Anyon.

"I've had to go down to lightweight but I'm confident about this fight as well," said Couch.

"I'm taking on this girl only to become the first woman in the world to have held three titles."

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