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Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, recently claimed victory over Sona Akale in their rematch, despite facing boos from the Miami crowd. The bout, part of the Teofimo Lopez-Steve Claggett event at the James L. Knight Center, saw Ali Walsh defending his performance and expressing his readiness to take on any challenger who doubted his abilities.
In his post-fight interview, Ali addressed the crowd's dissatisfaction and reiterated his commitment to his grandfather's legacy. He disclosed that he had turned down a lucrative offer from Most Valuable Promotions to fight Jake Paul, choosing instead to remain dedicated to professional boxing. Jake Paul's reaction was swift, accusing Ali Walsh of avoiding the fight and claiming his victory was solely due to his famous surname.
Paul's social media post read,
“Lol exactly. His whole point here works against him. I been trying to fight this fraud, and now he admitted he ducked me but called me a circus act. Gifted a decision tonight because of his last name. Smh.”
Ali Walsh responded with a mocking challenge,
"You’re right, bro. I’ll take your advice. @GeorgeForeman, let’s fight next."
This was a clear dig at Paul’s penchant for fighting older, semi-retired boxers, alluding to Paul’s potential bout with 58-year-old Mike Tyson.
Ali Walsh also addressed comments from Teofimo Lopez, who allegedly disrespected his legacy by suggesting Ali Walsh was in boxing for fame and money. Expressing his disappointment, Ali Walsh clarified his genuine passion for the sport, emphasizing that he had turned down a multi-million-dollar contract to maintain his professional integrity.
Regarding his rematch with Sona Akale, Ali Walsh noted that he had already defeated Akale twice and was open to future challengers if there were still doubts about his skills. The second fight was a tough battle, with Ali Walsh knocking Akale down in the third round and suffering a shoulder injury in the sixth. Despite the setback, he secured the win with the judges scoring the bout 58-55, 57-56, and 57-56 in his favor.
Ali Walsh’s statements and performance underscore his dedication to boxing and his determination to establish his own legacy, separate from his grandfather's and outside the realm of celebrity boxing.