Nico Ali Walsh faced a lot more pressure last Saturday night than the average 21-year-old making a debut as a professional fighter. After all, he is the grandson of Muhammad Ali, the fighter boxing fan worldwide know as The Greatest.
Walsh entered the ring to face Jordan Weeks wearing a pair of white and black trunks given to him by his grandfather some time ago. Walsh needed little time to show that he inherited both the ability to fight and the flair for dramatics that made his grandfather one of the most recognizable men on the planet.
Nico Ali Walsh hurt his opponent early in the first round with a right hand. The punch caused Weeks to touch the canvas with both gloves resulting in a scored knockdown. Walsh played to the crowd by gesturing with his right hand in a way that reminded fight fans of his grandfather while the referee administered a standing eight count.
Nico Ali Walsh launched an aggressive and devastating two-fisted attack following the knockdown. Referee Gerald Ritter stopped the fight with a little over a minute left in the first round.
Walsh was humble while speaking after his pro debut. “It`s been an emotional journey,” he described training for his first boxing match. Walsh explained his thoughts have been on his grandfather throughout his first training camp. The young fighter says he was satisfied with his first performance as a professional.
Nico Ali Walsh is not the first descendant of The Greatest to try their hand at professional prizefighting. Laila Ali, a daughter of Muhammad Ali, was undefeated in 24 professional fights.
By the time she ended her eight-year professional career in 2007, Laila Ali was one of the best female boxers of all time. Boxing fans are now are eager to see what the third generation of the Ali boxing family will bring to the sport.