Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali just had the first professional defeat of his life against Sona Akale. In the second round of the fight, Akale found Walsh against the ropes and tried to butt a few overhand right hooks to the latter’s head. However, Walsh ducked and dodged Akale’s punches and countered him with a right hand, jab, and an uppercut. In the third round as Akale stood in proximity to Walsh, the latter created a distance with a shot to the body.
In the 4th round of the bout, while cornered, Walsh wobbled Akale with an uppercut to the head. Immediately, as Akale stepped back, Walsh hit the former with several fast hooks. Had he connected yet another uppercut to Akale, he could have potentially stopped him then and there. Anyway, in a nutshell, Walsh demonstrated accuracy, the mindset of a thinking man, and the ability to dodge punches.
Fans react as Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali receives his maiden upset in the sport
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For good reasons, given the fight he fought, Ali Walsh expected to win the decision against Akale. However, to his surprise, the decision went to Akale’s corner. Walsh, who takes immense pride in being an Ali, was completely left upset. A number of boxing fans then took to X and expressed their disappointment. According to one, Walsh “needs to change his last name“.
Bum needs to change his last name 😂
— 🦇 (@Shadowiscold) August 27, 2023
However, one pointed out how ridiculous it is to call him Ali’s grandson before the fights but only Nico Walsh after his loss in the ring. “Just like how Andy Murray is only British when he’s winning, when he loses he’s back to being Scottish,” they added.
Watch the promos drop the whole "Ali's grandson" angle, now he lost a fight he'll just be Nico Walsh. Just like how Andy Murray is only British when he's winning, when he loses he's back to being Scottish 😄
— pidge (@itsp16ge) August 27, 2023
On the other hand, a fan said he was still learning to fight as a pro. In their opinion, it was fine if he took two more losses.
He’s just learning to fight in the pros. He can take 1-2 more loses on his way up idk how high he goes but he’s guy 5+ years of just fighting journeyman and bums b4 he’s good enough to be consistent good. And that’s fine
— KazumaTheHands (@kazumaTheHands) August 27, 2023
Meanwhile, one wrote, “Lol he actually got robbed“.
Lol he actually got robbed 😭
— Plug Jack (@PlugJack4) August 27, 2023
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Again, another said, “Nico Walsh is his name now“.
Nico Walsh is his name now
— JusteCote (@JusteCote) August 27, 2023
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Well, it has to be reminded that even Muhammad Ali suffered losses in the sport. To reiterate the words of ‘The Double Greatest’ Ali, “A lot of great fighters get whipped“. With that said, let us only expect a stronger comeback from Nico Ali Walsh!
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