Muhammad Ali’s Grandson Survives Scare To Win Third Pro Fight

Muhammad Ali‘s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, picked up his third professional win but survived an early scare to get the win.

The 21-year-old Walsh beat the unbeaten Reyes Sanchez at Madison Square Garden, however, the 6-0 fighter nearly forced a draw. Ali Walsh has been fighting tough competition in his career and it almost cost him and promoter, Bob Arum at MSG, the same venue where his grandfather had suffered his first professional loss to Joe Frazier 50 years prior.

The fight was a back-and-forth one with one judge scoring it a 38-38 draw but the other two scored it 40-36 and 39-37 for Ali Walsh. Muhammad Ali’s grandson was coming off stoppage wins over James Westley and Jordan Weeks and hurt Sanchez in the second. Yet, Sanchez recovered and nearly pulled off the upset.

Although it was a close fight, Nico Ali Walsh says he learned a lot from the fight and he knows it will only help him in his career.

“I learned a ton tonight. Obviously, I fought against a well-matched opponent – he was 6-0. He saw my right hand, obviously, I saw his as well, he was a very skilled opponent,” Ali Walsh said after the fight (via Mirror). “A lot of guys with three fights don’t fight someone like him, but because my career has been fast tracked due to my name and grandfather, I’m fighting these types of opponents like Reyes Sanchez. It’s amazing. It’s a piece of history to be in here, let alone fight here. I’m very honoured and blessed to have this victory.”

With the win, Ali Walsh will likely get another step-up in competition as Top Rank and Bob Arum look to build him up into a big star in the sport.

Who do you think Nico Ali Walsh will fight next after this win?