Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, looks to follow in his legendary relative’s footsteps as he signs his first professional fight deal with Bob Arum’s Top Rank group… with the 20-year-old set to make his debut at middleweight on August 14
- The grandson of Muhammad Ali will make his professional boxing debut this year
- Nico Ali Walsh will take part in a four-round middleweight bout on August 14
- The 20-year-old boxer has signed a fight deal with Bob Arum’s Top Rank group
- Ali Walsh has added SugarHill Seward and Richard T. Stone as his new trainers
Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, has signed a multi-fight promotional agreement with Bob Arum’s Top Rank group and will make his professional bow in August.
The 20-year-old is the child of ‘The Greatest’s’ daughter, Rasheda Ali Walsh, and has taken part in around 30 amateur fights. His professional debut will take place on August 14 in a four-round middleweight contest.
Ali Walsh has also taken on Tyson Fury’s head coach SugarHill Steward as part of his coaching team while former boxer and current artist Richard T. Slone, who was trained by Joe Frazier, will be his trainer.
Nico Ali Walsh (right), grandson of Muhammad Ali, has signed with Bob Arum’s Top Rank group
The 20-year-old is the child of Ali’s (above) daughter and will make his debut on August 14
The young boxer claimed: ‘I’m doing what I love. Signing with Top Rank is a dream come true. I’m going to have fun on August 14 and the next time I fight.
‘Top Rank will give me the name, date and location, and I’ll have a great time. I am honoured to continue the fighting legacy that my grandfather started. It is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.’
Ali Walsh will have to balance the start of his professional boxing career with his academic studies as he prepares to finish at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas next spring, where he is working on a bachelor’s degree in business.
Despite signing on to Top Rank with Arum, who promoted Ali Walsh’s grandfather’s fights, including the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ bout against Frazier, the 20-year-old will be represented by his uncle, Mike Joyce.
Ali Walsh has added Tyson Fury’s (left) trainer SugarHill Steward (right) to his coaching staff
The boxer’s agent said: ‘Family history and legacy was a big factor in Nico signing with Top Rank. I’ve signed many fighters to Top Rank, and Bob has always treated them fairly.
‘Nico was a little bit in awe of Bob, and it cemented his belief that he was with the right promoter. He thinks this is going to be an historic journey.’
World-renowned boxing promoter Arum added: ‘Nico’s grandfather was a pretty good fighter. Hopefully, Nico will emulate his success.
Boxing promoter Arum hopes Ali Walsh will emulate his grandfather’s boxing achievements
‘He’s a young man of great character, which one would expect from Muhammad Ali’s grandson.’
Ali Walsh is the latest in a long line of young boxers emulating family members from previous generations. Earlier this year, Ricky Hatton’s son – Campbell – made his professional boxing bow as he followed in the footsteps of the British boxer.
Hatton Junior has points victories over Jesus Ruiz and Levi Dunn under his belt already and will take part in the Matchroom Fight Camp on July 31.