World-rated female light -heavyweight boxer Gwen-dolyn `The Stealth Bomber' O'Neil is of the opinion that world champion Laila Ali is afraid to face her, hence her non-appearance for a fight in Nigeria earlier this month.

A fuming O'Neil returned home from Africa recently and complained that not only was she denied a chance to oppose the world-famous Ali, but she is still to collect her purse from the promoters of the fight.

"Up to now I have not received a cent for the fight. I have not been paid and I'm angry about it. I went there to fight and she [Ali] never showed up. I'm not in this business to joke around. This is serious business," O'Neil said.

The mother of four said that she could only watch as her plans to fight and defeat Ali crumbled. She had intended to create history by becoming the first to defeat Ali, but was blanked when the American failed to put in an appearance for the scheduled six-round contest which was to be held in Abuja on January 10. The Guyanese, who returned home on Saturday after spending two weeks in Nigeria, said that no proper reason was given for the undefeated Ali's absence.

"Forty thousand people turned up at the stadium to witness the bout. I had to apologise for the absence of Ali when I took to the ring," O'Neil said. The fight card was arranged for a charity combating AIDS and human trafficking.

When contacted, Chris Middendorf, an official of Absoloot Promotions with which O'Neil signed the contract to fight Ali, said that the Guyanese will be paid within a week. Middendorf, who claimed to be only the matcher, said he was waiting on a letter which will release the money to pay the fighters. He said Ali's money was also in holding.

He explained that Ali did not go to Nigeria because when she got to the airport in the USA she realised that seats were only reserved for her and her entourage but not paid for. However, O'Neil had different views. "I think that she was just scared. She tried to duck me.

I know that I would have knocked her out. I'm still prepared to fight her once she has the guts to mix it with me."

Meanwhile, O'Neil said that she was treated like royalty in the African nation and was permitted several bodyguards. "They really liked me there. I must go back there to fight."

O'Neil was accompanied to Africa by her husband, trainer Lennox Daniels and manager Samuel Layne of Barbados.