Rasheda was 11 years old when she went along with her siblings and brothers to see her daddy face Trevor Berbick. The bout was not sanctioned by any state athletic commission and it was promoted by a convicted felon in the Bahamas. Rasheda was not concerned about this. Rasheda, whose parents divorced at the age of 5, lived in Chicago with her mother and siblings. Every chance she had to see her dad was to be treasured.Rasheda knew the rules. Rasheda, now 39, understood the rules. Even though every moment spent with him was a gift was the night in the Bahamas.She recalls, "It was terrifying." "Daddy was older. Daddy was not in good shape. He shouldn't be boxing. He was being beaten up by this young man. And I was like, "Why are you fighting?" Stop fighting. There's a photo of us together after. I am laying in bed with him and I am kissing him. But, I tell him to stop. Please, stop.This was Muhammad Ali's final fight. Rasheda, her husband Bob Walsh, a restaurateur, raised two sons in Las Vegas. She fulfilled her promise to give them everything she never had. They loaded the boys in the Dodge Durango and drove to Scottsdale, Arizona, at least once per month.Perhaps he was "The Greatest" to the rest of the world. He was, however, "Poppy" to the boys.Biaggio, the elder brother, was already a passionate runner by junior high. He would go on to be a star running back for Bishop Gorman. Nico was something a bit different. His mother called him "an old soul". He was happier than ever when he was cuddling up on the brown leather sofa with Poppy.They performed magic tricks. They watched many movies, mostly Westerns and horror films. Poppy loved Dracula and was partial to the 1958 version with Christopher Lee.Nico says "That's Dracula" and introduces Poppy to "Drag Me To Hell." Both loved Peter Jackson's King Kong.Nico Ali Walsh examines a photograph of his grandfather, Muhammad Ali in Bob Arum's office. Mikey Williams/Top RankHowever, the conversation would eventually turn to boxing -- whether it was on the leather couch or via FaceTime. Nico was not interested in team sports. He was intrigued by the game that made his grandfather famous around the world."What is the most important thing that a fighter requires, Poppy?"Ali stated, "Dance and move.""Poppy, what's the deal with training?""Roadwork. Roadwork.Nico eventually found a gym, and began working out in Las Vegas. After losing his first fight, he returned home with a black eye."You must know that this is the most difficult sport ever made, right?" His mother asked him.He understood, but he also knew that a comparison with Poppy was inevitable and unwise. Nico was not going to be another Poppy. This was not the point."Is this what you really want to do?" She asked her, thinking: Why can't you just play basketball or soccer like a normal child?"I want to box.""You know you must put 100 percent in it?"Nico didn't give up. He fought several smokers back in Chicago for Mike Joyce, his uncle. He participated in a few tournaments here. Some of them he won. He also lost. He showed up to Poppy's once with a red, swelling nose. They were the only ones on the couch together."Your amateur record doesn't matter," Poppy told him. It's what you do with the experience that matters.The same goes for losing a fight. Nico states, "It takes a lot from a fighter to win."Even more to overcome those losses. This is what Nico took from their conversation Dec. 6, 2014 in Reno. The entire family was present. His brother, Bishop Gorman, was competing for the state championship. It was freezing so Nico had to go back with Poppy and the car. Nico was 14 when he joined the amateurs. He was looking for a way out. Nico's phone recorded Nico sparring."Poppy, would you like me to continue?"His grandfather looked at Nico, but he didn't speak. Poppy was afflicted with Parkinson's disease. This was not a good day. He had trouble speaking. Nico reached for his hand."Poppy, hold my hand if I want to stop boxing."No reply. Nico thought maybe it was worse than he thought. Poppy might not have heard him."Poppy, please squeeze my hand if I want to continue boxing."Poppy squeezed. It was hard.Fast forward seven years and Nico will make his professional debut on Saturday, July 3rd, as a "Special Attraction" undercard to Franco-Moloney III in Tulsa (ESPN/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET Mike Joyce, his uncle, manages him. Sugar Hill Steward, Tyson Fury's heavyweight champion, will be at the side of the middleweight.Steward states, "Realistically, it's like he was a beginner, not even an amateur." That's how I was trained and that's what I enjoy teaching -- from scratch. It's been enjoyable, and I can see improvements. He has been with all my guys and has done well. He is smart. He is able to fight."He is able to fight. Steward is asked for explanation.He says, "He's never scared." He doesn't shy away from being hit or knocked down. He just needs to learn how to fight better.Nico Ali Walsh, unlike most fighters, will need to learn such knowledge under the brightest lights. He will be able to learn high-end lessons from Steward, it is certain. However, it is his grandfather, or rather the idea of Ali, who will get him on television.He says, "I'm doing this not to be famous." It's not a money grab. This is my job.The bloodline speaks volumes about his past soul. Nobody knows what Nico Ali Walsh will become. He's just doing it because he believes in it. He knows.He says, "People can think whatever they want." It's not about winning a belt or going undefeated. When I feel content and my family is happy with what I have done, I will know that I have had a successful career in boxing.His mother, however, is happy with his accomplishments and believes that basketball or soccer would have been a great choice.Rasheda Ali Walsh has not been to a professional fight since that horrible night in the Bahamas. She reminds herself that he's 21 and it's his choice.It is better to be able to tell than to not have tried. As the fight nears, she is waking up in the middle of the nights with heart palpitations.Are you available? She is asked.She says, "I wouldn’t miss it for any reason."Yes. It was for her son, his old soul, as well as the gift of whomever it might summon.She says, "Daddy will also be there," "In spirit."
