Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of the legendary Muhammad Ali, boldly challenged Teofimo Lopez, the WBO junior welterweight champion, accusing Lopez of insulting his legacy. The 23-year-old boxer not only triumphed over Sona Akele via unanimous decision in her fight this weekend, but also turned down huge amounts of money to step into the ring with social media phenom turned boxer Jake Paul.
In an impassioned statement, Ali Walsh expressed his dismay at Lopez’s comments: “One thing I need to make clear, Teofimo Lopez said in an interview a few weeks before this fight that he was disrespectful to my family by saying that I am only in boxing because I am money and fame and I thought it was really inappropriate for someone I admired,” Walsh revealed.
He continued to define his journey in the world of boxing, dismissing any notions of pursuing money or clout: “But you know, that’s what it is. I just want everyone to know that I chose the path of boxing, I chose the path of legacy.
“I could be a millionaire right now if I wanted to. Before this fight, I turned down a multi-million dollar contract with MVP Promotions to fight Jake Paul, and today I’m fighting a real fighter. I’m not part of this circus league of boxing, and that’s what I’m going to do.
Jake Paul himself joined the fray, mocking Ali Walsh’s claims on social media. He labeled him a imitation and undercut Walsh’s complaint with further criticism: “Exactly. All his attention is working against him,” Paul wrote.
He then ridiculed: “I tried to fight this scam and now he admitted he was avoiding me by calling me a circus performer. He gave me the decision tonight because of his name. I shook my head.”
Walsh was met with jeers during his post-fight interview at the James L. Knight Center, and Akele was supported by a forceful group. Despite battling a shoulder injury, Walsh defeated his opponent.
“I don’t know what happened. I’ve never been through anything like that and it came out, but I survived and I definitely beat him,” Walsh noted of his injury.
“I don’t know what’s got him so worked up. I feel like if it happened to him, he’d cry like a baby, sit on the ground and quit the fight, but it happened to the right person and I’m just content I won. I feel like I’m winning twice now because the first time they gave him a decision, but I felt like I won.”
A trilogy between Walsh and Akele could be in the cards. “I feel like I’ve beaten him twice now, but if this fight doesn’t prove it, I’ll fight absolutely anyone,” Akele said.