Muhammad Ali‘s grandson exacted his revenge. Nico Ali Walsh defeated Sona Akale during their rematch some time ago. The duo clashed at the Teofimo Lopez–Steve Claggett-headlined main card show in Miami’s James L. Knight Center. It seems the crowd wasn’t too pleased with the decision given. They booed Ali Walsh during the post-fight in-ring interview. ‘The Greatest’s grandson clarified that he remains convinced of his victory. However, if someone isn’t assured, he will be fine fighting anyone.
He gave details of Teofimo Lopez’s alleged words against his legacy. Then Nico Ali Walsh explained why he’s into boxing. Assuring everyone that he’s fighting for the legacy left by his grandfather, the 23-year-old Chicago-born boxer shared how he even turned down a multi-million-dollar invite from the Most Valuable Promotions to fight ‘The Problem Child’.
He doesn’t want anything to do with the crossover game he revealed. Now how’s it possible that a statement is being made against him and the YouTuber-turned-boxer won’t take notice of it? A back-and-forth seemed like a logical after-effect.
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Smelling feud? Nico Ali Walsh and Jake Paul dust up
Jake Paul took a dig that Nico Ali Walsh received a decision win because of his surname and not because he is a gifted boxer. Then he commented that Ali Walsh basically admitted that he avoided a fight with ‘The Problem Child’. “Lol exactly. His whole point here works against him. I been trying to fight this fraud, and now he admitted he ducked me but calling me a circus act. Gifted a decision tonight because of his last name. Smh,” said the Ohioan.
It was time for the famous Ali, ‘sting like a bee’ action. “You’re right, bro. I’ll take your advice. @GeorgeForeman, let’s fight next,” Nico Ali Walsh replied. To most fans, it was an obvious dig at Jake Paul fighting 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
Even otherwise, the YouTuber-turned-boxer seems to have gained a well-earned reputation for picking and fighting boxers who were semi-retired, way out of their prime, or not acclimated to pro boxing at all.
But what did Nico Ali Walsh say?
So when asked whether fans could look forward to a trilogy fight against Sona Akale given that not many seemed happy with the decision given for the tightly fought contest, smiling, Muhammad Ali’s grandson replied that he believes that he has already defeated Akale twice. However, if the latest outing has failed to prove his abilities, then he’s more than willing to take on any challenger.
You’re right bro. I’ll take your advice. @GeorgeForeman let’s fight next😤 https://t.co/39KTaYkcNe
— Nico Ali Walsh (@nicoaliwalsh) June 30, 2024
Then he took up what ‘The Takeover’ allegedly said in an interview: “Teofimo Lopez said in an interview a few weeks ago that before this fight, he said he disrespected my family, saying that I’m only in boxing because I’m desperate for money and fame.” Ali Walsh revealed that it disappointed him to hear those words from someone he looked up to so much.
No crossover millions since ‘The Legend Lives On’
So he wanted to clarify it for everyone once and for all. He said that he chose to follow the ‘path of boxing’. Otherwise, he could have settled down as a millionaire. That’s when he divulged the Jake Paul part of the story. “Before this fight, I denied a multi-million dollar contract from MVP promotions to fight Jake Paul, and I’m fighting a real fighter tonight, so I’m not part of that circus league of boxing. This is the real League of Boxing; this is what I’m going to do,” he said.
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It was on August 26, last year, that Nico Ali Walsh suffered his first loss at the hands of Sona Akale. But the setback remained brief. Just like his grandfather, he showed great resolve, regrouped himself, and came back, winning two consecutive fights. He was ready to face Sona Akale again. In the third round, he knocked down the Minnesota-born boxer. But the latter showed determination and fought back.
In the sixth round, the unthinkable happened.
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It seemed that Nico Ali Walsh’s shoulder got dislocated. He was seen desperately trying to fix it during the fight. Thankfully, Akale’s tank had run out of gas by that time. The judges awarded the fight to Nico Ali Walsh 58-55, 57-56, and 57-56.
What’s your take on Nico Ali Walsh’s confession? Do you think he avoided a fight with Jake Paul?