Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, wins pro fight debut

Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of former heavyweight champion and boxing legend Muhammad Ali, defeated Jordan Weeks by technical knockout in his professional boxing debut on Saturday.

Middleweight fighter Ali Walsh is the son of Robert Walsh and Rasheda Ali Walsh, Muhammad Ali’s daughter. The 21-year-old signed a deal with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing in June ahead of his first professional fight in US state of Oklahoma.

Ali Walsh, who wore trunks made for grandfather Muhammad Ali, knocked down his opponent Weeks midway through the first round before the referee stopped the fight at 1:49 of that round.

“Obviously my grandfather, I’ve been thinking of him so much. I miss him. It’s been an emotional journey,” ESPN quoted Ali Walsh as saying.

“I think me and him (Weeks) made a little bit of history tonight. This lived up completely to my expectations.”

Muhammad Ali, nicknamed “The Greatest”, died in June 2016. His record-setting boxing career, unprecedented flair for showmanship and controversial stands made him one of the best-known figures of the 20th century.

Ali Walsh, who is trying to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps into professional boxing, said Muhammad Ali was “the greatest fighter who lived”.

“It seems like a lot of pressure; to me, it’s just my grandfather,” said Ali Walsh, who grew up in Las Vegas.

“He’s the greatest fighter who ever lived – maybe the greatest person,” Walsh said.

“I’m never wearing these trunks again,” he added.

– Reuters