Ali Walsh started his own professional boxing career in 2021. He's already making waves in the sport, with a recent victory over previously unbeaten Elbenezer Sowah in Equatorial Guinea this May. During an interview at the IBA Pro 9 event, Ali Walsh expressed his excitement about his budding career:
"I'm traveling the world through boxing."
While he's conscious of his famous surname, Ali Walsh doesn't aim to repeat his grandfather's history. Instead, he wants to forge his own path while honoring Muhammad Ali's legacy.
When asked about a fantasy matchup between his grandfather and Mike Tyson, Ali Walsh didn't hesitate to back the elder Ali:
"My grandfather would win. He wasn't just a puncher. He had intelligence, adaptability, and heart."
Ali Walsh explained that his grandfather's strategy would be clear: survive the early rounds, then dominate the middle and end of the fight. He pointed out that while Tyson was known for his explosive starts, Ali had the stamina, technique, mobility, jab, and footwork to outlast him.
The young boxer also highlighted Ali's psychological edge:
"Ali would destroy you psychologically before the first round even started."
Boxing experts tend to agree with Ali Walsh's assessment. They note that Ali's advantages in stamina and technique could overcome Tyson's early explosiveness. The strategy for Ali would likely involve surviving the initial onslaught, then using his mobility and jab to take control as the fight progressed.
Ali Walsh didn't stop at just this fantasy matchup. He also weighed in on other hypothetical bouts, picking Tyson Fury over Anthony Joshua and giving Mike Tyson the edge against Oleksandr Usyk.
As he continues to make his own mark in the boxing world, Nico Ali Walsh carries the weight of his grandfather's legacy. But he's doing so with his own style, creating his own path while honoring the memory of one of boxing's greatest champions.