Sun 15 August 2021:
Nico Ali Walsh made a strong pro debut on Saturday night, winning the first round and paying tribute to his grandfather, Muhammad Ali.
“It’s been an emotional journey, this whole ride,” Ali Walsh said. “Obviously, my grandfather, I’ve been thinking about him so much. I miss him.”
Wearing trunks made for his grandfather, Ali Walsh knocked down his outmatched opponent midway through the first round before the middleweight fight was finally stopped at 1:49 of the round with Ali Walsh landing unanswered punches to the head.
Ali Walsh, a 21-year-old college student, and Jordan Weeks’ battle was memorable not for anything they did in the ring, but for Ali Walsh’s attempt to follow in his grandfather’s enormous footsteps into boxing.
Despite this, Ali Walsh showed competent for a relative newcomer, displaying good hand speed and power versus Weeks, an MMA fighter who had been knocked out in his previous boxing encounter.
Ali Walsh celebrated with family members in the ring afterward along with 89-year-old promoter Bob Arum, who promoted 27 of Muhammad Ali’s fights.
“I’m a believer in genes,” Arum said.
Ali Walsh said the white trunks with black lining were made for his grandfather, who gave them to him.
“I’m never wearing these trunks again,” he said.
