Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of former heavyweight champion and boxing legend Muhammad Ali, made a successful professional debut on Saturday.
He defeated Jordan Weeks by technical knockout at Tulsa in Oklahoma, USA. His punches were so effective that the match was stopped at 1:49, with Walsh declared the winner by TKO.
Ali Walsh told ESPN,
“Obviously my grandfather, I’ve been thinking of him so much. I miss him. It’s been an emotional journey.”
“I think me and him [Weeks] made a little bit of history tonight. This lived up completely to my expectations.”
21-year-old Ali Walsh, the son of Robert Walsh and Rasheda Ali Walsh (Muhammad Ali’s daughter), had been fighting amateur but then signed with Top Rank, a locally headquartered promotional company.
In addition, Nico Ali’s bout was promoted by Bob Arum in June, ahead of his first professional fight in Oklahoma.
Arum, 89, first promoted a Muhammad Ali fight in 1966 and organized another 27 of Ali’s fights between 1966 and 1978. One of those bouts was the famous ‘Thrilla in Manila’ against Joe Frazer.
Muhammad Ali died in 2016 after battling Parkinson’s syndrome. However, he helped his grandson Nico Ali (aged 15) in his training via facetime in his final days.
Who Is Nico Ali Walsh?
Nico Ali is a Las Vegas-based boxer. He graduated from Bishop Gorman High School in 2018 and later attended UNLV.
Even though people on both sides of his family have deep connections to the sport, his relatives didn’t push him to box professionally. He took his own time to love the sports and later came to love the sport for himself and handle the family baggage that comes with it.
His uncle Mike Joyce, who manages fighters and runs the Celtic Boxing Club in Chicago, became his manager. In June 2021, Nico signed a contract with Top Rank Boxing, headed by Bob Arum.
Due to his family connection with boxing, people assumed that he would only monetize his Ali name, but proving them wrong; he demonstrated his dedication to the sports.
His grandfather Muhammad Ali used to watch and train him through FaceTime. Along with boxing, Nico also has a desire to pursue his career in movies. He compared himself with Adonis Creed, the on-screen son of fictional boxer Apollo Creed, during an interview.
Family Background
Nico Ali Walsh was born on 11th July 2000 in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Robert Anthony Walsh and Rasheda Ali. His father, Robert, known as Bob Walsh, worked as a chef at Rosebud and Jilly’s Steakhouse. He also served in the military. Meanwhile, his mother is an author, a public speaker, and Parkinson’s advocate.
Rasheda published a book titled “I’ll Hold Your Hand So You Won’t Fall: A Child’s Guide to Parkinson’s Disease." As an advocate, she has advocated for research into progressive nervous system disorder.
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Ali’s parents tied their wedding knot in later June 1997 at Biggs restaurant’s courtyard. Their elegant wedding ceremony was held per Muslim tradition.
Moving on, Nico has a brother named Biaggio Ali Walsh. He studied at Bishop Gorman High School, UC Berkely, and UNLV. For UNLV, he played running back.
Walsh’s Dating Life
Nico Ali Walsh was said to be dating his high school sweetheart Tavin Hays. He has not openly talked about his relationship, but his mother often posts a snap where Tavin is seen with Nico. On his graduation, she posted a photo where Tavin and Nico are seen together.
Once his father also posted a snap of his high school prom with a girl getting cozy. But, of course, she might be his girlfriend.
As per the current relationship status, if Nico is still together with his high school sweetheart or not is still a mystery.
Facts On Nico
- Nico stands at the height of 6 feet (1.83 meters).
- Ali is present on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. On his verified Instagram account, he has 36.4K followers and above 4K followers on his verified Twitter account.
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- His net worth is yet to be revealed.
- As per his ethnicity, he is a light-skinned American, White from his father’s side and Black from his mother’s side. His father’s side could have Irish ancestry, but it cannot be concluded due to his father’s private life. His mother followed the Muslim religion as they had a wedding ceremony in a Muslim tradition.
