The grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Nico Ali Walsh, will make his professional debut on Saturday, August 14th, in a scheduled four-round middleweight bout in Oklahoma. Ali Walsh has been fighting in the amateur class but then signed with Top Rank, a locally headquartered promotional company to turn pro in the middleweight division. Now the 21-year-old will take on Jordan Weeks, a former MMA fighter, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Tulsa in Oklahoma as the grandson of “The Greatest”.
Adding more spice to the event is the fact that Nico Ali’s bouts will be promoted by Bob Arum, who used to organise Muhammad Ali’s fights. 89-year-old Arum first promoted an Ali fight in 1966 and organised another 27 of Ali’s fights between 1966 and 1978. One of those bouts was the memorable ‘Thrilla in Manila’ against Joe Frazer.
This is amazing. The first fight I promoted was his grandfather against Chuvalo in March of 1966. Who would have believed that so many years later, we’d be promoting the pro debut of his grandson?
Looking forward to what's ahead for @NicoAliX74 beginning August 14. Details soon. https://t.co/kTH2bR902a
— Bob Arum (@BobArum) June 24, 2021
Muhammad Ali stood by Nico’s side as the young boxer sparred in the ring during his teenage years. The undercard fighter said he always saw his grandfather as his biggest idol.
Muhammad Ali on facetime with his grandson Nico Ali Walsh. (Source: Instagram)
“To me, I was hanging out in the gym with my grandfather,” Ali Walsh said of some of his earliest boxing memories.
“Sometimes, I have to remind myself that he’s everyone’s idol.”
Nico Ali will also have Sugar Hill Steward, the trainer for WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, in his corner on Saturday night.
The young Stud definitely has a great entourage around him. We hope it will help him get his first professional win as well.
