The year has not been particularly worthy of notice for Nico Ali Walsh, with the first bout in May declared a no-contest and the second one ending in a loss. But what about his opponent? While Ali Walsh faces a career-first downtick, his opponent, Sona Akale, with an upset win, could boast an uptick. More information about the Minneapolis, Minnesota-born boxer filters in as the dust settles. And when he spoke, it became clear that ‘Slink Proper’ stands on solid footing.

Out of the blue, Nico Ali Walsh finds himself in the limelight. Unfortunately, it is not for the best of reasons. Last Saturday, in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Muhammad Ali‘s grandson saw the face of defeat for the first time. His record now stands at eight wins against one reversal. Interestingly, his adversary shares similar stats.

Sona Akale, the boxer who defeated Nico Ali Walsh, reveals the pillars on which success stands

But the congruity ends there. Not only is Sona Akale over a decade older, but he began his pro-fighting career two years before Nico Ali Walsh. It’s hard to believe, but the thirty-five-year-old used to dabble as a hip-hop artist under the alias’ Slink Proper’ and reportedly enjoyed some success in the industry. But because of his historic victory, he will forever be remembered as the boxer who defeated Nico Ali Walsh.

He was speaking with the Mayweather Channel. Though audibly unclear, the reporter checked for Akale’s age and presumably wanted to know how he managed to turn over an upset victory after so long. ‘Slink Proper’ emphasized that he attributed his success to patience. He said, “Oh, sometimes, [you’ve] got to be patient; [you’ve] got to wait for it because, you know, ah, time, time is a funny thing; first of all, it heals all wounds. Time heals all wounds…”

He also stressed consistency and patience. According to him, many fail to attain their objectives since they fail to stay regular and steadfast with a task. So, ultimately, everything boiled down to how consistent a person stayed through the journey to success.

Sona Akale also suffered his first defeat this year in June in his hometown of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Fighting for the Mid-American Super Welterweight title, Cameron Krael stopped him in the sixth round. The latest win will, for sure, add stars to his resume.

Read More: “I Want to Continue My Grandfather’s Legacy”: Muhammad Ali’s Grandson Contemplates Potential Showdown With Jake Paul

Have you seen the Ali Walsh-Akale bout? If yes, what’s your take on the verdict? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

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