By Nico Ali Walsh, Muhammad Ali’s grandson, has explained why he turned down a multi-million dollar offer to fight YouTube influencer turned boxer, Jake Paul. Despite the substantial payday, Ali Walsh refused on moral grounds, emphasizing that he fights for his family’s legacy, unlike Paul who he believes fights for publicity. Ali Walsh, with a 10-1 (5) record, recently avenged his only professional defeat against Sona Akale despite suffering a dislocated shoulder during the match.
Jake Paul, who has had ten professional fights with one loss to Tommy Fury, publicly acknowledged offering Ali Walsh a fight and accused him of avoiding the challenge. Ali Walsh criticized Paul’s approach to boxing, referring to it as a “circus” and stressing that boxing is a serious sport that should not be mixed with entertainment antics.
Ali Walsh also expressed disapproval of Paul’s upcoming fight against 58-year-old Mike Tyson, calling it dishonorable and suggesting that Paul is more interested in viral moments than genuine competition. Ali Walsh believes that fighting an elderly Tyson is not an accomplishment and further highlighted the difference in their motivations: he fights for his family’s legacy, while Paul fights for headlines.
Reflecting on his own career, Ali Walsh noted that his performance against Akale, despite his injury, demonstrated his resilience and heart as a fighter. He hopes this will silence critics who doubt his capabilities due to his famous lineage.
