When Muhammad Ali’s legacy is in your blood, every decision is big—especially when faced with a £2.2 million offer to fight influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Nico Ali Walsh, Ali’s grandson, recently revealed his reasons for turning down this enormous payday, and it had nothing to do with the money.
For Nico, it’s about honour and maintaining the revered Ali name. The idea of stepping into the ring with Jake Paul just didn’t sit right with him. Despite Jake’s attempts to lure him in, Nico shut it down, stating, “Morally, it was an easy choice. You’ve got to ask yourself, how much does your pride cost?”
Jake Paul, known for stirring the pot in the boxing world, has faced criticism from various boxing personalities, including Ali Walsh, for his approach to what many consider “influencer boxing.” Nico doesn’t want to mix what he calls the “circus” with a sport as serious as boxing. “People like the circus,” he mentioned, “but it’s not something you mix with boxing.”
Nico isn’t just about preserving his grandfather’s legacy; he’s also about the sport’s integrity. With a 13-2-1 record and a recent win over Jeremiah Sserwadda, he’s proving that he’s in the game for the right reasons.
Reflecting on Jake’s clash with Mike Tyson, Nico criticised the spectacle, saying it’s not an accomplishment to defeat a boxer much older than oneself. It’s clear Nico fights for his bloodline, not headlines, setting a high bar for the standards he holds dear. In a world where fights are often about the spectacle, Nico remains committed to the legacy of greatness left by the legendary Muhammad Ali. ✊🥊 #BoxingLegacy #AliName #NicoAliWalsh #JakePaul