Nico Ali Walsh, Muhammad Ali's great-grandson, made his pro-boxing debut Saturday wearing a pair white-and-black trunks that his grandfather had given him. He defeated Jordan Weeks in the first round.
Ali Walsh, 21 years old, displayed the flair of a dramatic Ali, whipping the crowd into an uproar with his right hand, as the referee gave a 10-count after the knockdown. After Weeks was knocked down, the middleweight resorted to a torrent of punches that bled Weeks' face before the referee ended the match.
Ali Walsh, who is also a SugarHill Steward trainee, said that he and Tyson Fury made some history together.
He said, "This exceeded all my expectations." It's been an emotional ride. ... I have been thinking about my grandfather so much. He is my grandfather.
Ali Walsh, who was just shy of his 16th birthday, died June 2016 as "The Greatest". Ali Walsh was born in Las Vegas, and began a boxing career as an amateur fighter in hopes of following in the footsteps of the heavyweight champion. Ali Walsh was allowed the opportunity to take on Weeks.
Weeks, a 29-year-old from Lexington, South Carolina was just coming off a fourth round TKO to a fighter 1-6-1.
Ali Walsh will be competing at middleweight. It will undoubtedly be a work in progress as a young boxer still learning the ropes. Bob Arum's Top Rank promoter, who once coached Ali, is the best at developing such fighters.
Top Rank matchmaker Bruce Trampler stated that he would take it step-by-step and listen to his progress. He also suggested that he bring Ali along whenever he can. In the 1980s, Ali was first matched by Trampler in the Hall of Fame.
"I have seen him at the gym every day for over a month. He is learning. He hasn’t fought for over two years. SugarHill is now with Fury and other fighters. ... It's all about creating a relationship between fighter and trainer. You can see the pressure on fighter tonight. It was great fun. He's a fantastic kid.
One thing is certain: No matter who Ali Walsh fights, or at what level, people will be following his rise. It is his bloodlines that guarantee it.
Ali Walsh stated, "It seems like too much pressure. To me, it's just my grandfather." He's the greatest fighter ever to have lived, and maybe even the greatest person. ... These trunks are not for me again.
