Nico Ali Walsh, Muhammad Ali’s Grandson, Makes Professional Boxing Debut
The occasion was personal as well as symbolic for Nico Ali Walsh since he made hisi debut wearing trunks made for his grandfather, muhammad Ali.
Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of the great Muhammad Ali, made his profssional boxing debut with a knockout victory. As boxing match-ups of debutants go, this knockout -- of Jordan Weeks, an MMA fighter and a novice himself -- is no sign of Ali Walsh’s ring creds. The bout was a mismatch, but the 21-year-old did show great hand speed which would have made his grandfather happy.
Ali Walsh paid homage to Ali soon after the bout.
“It’s been an emotional journey, this whole ride,” Ali Walsh, who is the son of Ali's daughter Rasheda, said. “Obviously, my grandfather, I’ve been thinking about him so much. I miss him.”
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The occasion was personal as well as symbolic for Ali Walsh because he was wearing trunks made for his grandfather. He knocked down his outmatched opponent midway through the first round before the middleweight fight was finally stopped at 1:49 of the round with Ali Walsh landing unanswered punches to the head.
The fight between Ali Walsh and Weeks was notable not because of anything the two had done in the ring, but because Ali Walsh was trying to follow in his grandfather’s large footsteps into boxing.
He celebrated with family members in the ring afterward along with 89-year-old promoter Bob Arum, who promoted 27 of Muhammad Ali’s fights.
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“I’m a believer in genes,” Arum said.
Ali Walsh said the white trunks with black lining were made for his grandfather, who gave them to him.
“I’m never wearing these trunks again,” said Ali Walsh. A good idea, we would say. The youngster has to find his own space in the ring on his own from now on. And it is not an easy journey, and Ali would attest that too.
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