Muhammad Ali's grandson Nico Ali Walsh claims he was offered a multi-million dollar contract to fight Jake Paul.
Ali Walsh fought through a dislocated shoulder to avenge the only defeat of his professional boxing career against Sona Akale on Saturday night. The grandson-of-a-legend shook his arm and punched his shoulder in the final round to try and pop it back into place before winning on points.
The 23-year-old said after his win: "I want to let everyone know that I chose the path of boxing and I chose the path of legacy. If I wanted to, I could be a millionaire right now. Before this fight, I denied a multi-million dollar contract from MVP Promotions to fight Jake Paul and I’m fighting a real fighter tonight.
"I’m not part of that circus league of boxing. This is the real league of boxing. This is what I’m going to do." Paul was quick to respond to Ali Walsh's comments as he tweeted: "Lol exactly. His whole point here works against him. I been trying to fight this fraud and now he admitted he ducked me but calling me a circus act.
"Gifted a decision tonight because of his last name. Shake my head." It's not the first time Ali Walsh has butted heads with YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, who has also called out Ali Walsh's MMA fighter brother Biaggio. Paul fights former UFC star turned bare-knuckle boxing champion Mike Perry next month after his controversial bout against Mike Tyson was postponed.
Ten YouTube boxing fights we must see in 2023 including KSI vs Jake PaulPaul admitted he is taking a big risk by potentially jeopardising his Tyson fight if he loses to Perry on July 20. Tyson pulled out of the fight after battling a stomach ulcer flare-up and Paul gave an update about the bout when he told The New York Post: "If Tyson wants it, I’m down. The keys are in his hands.
"We’re not Mike Tyson’s dad. We’re not his boss. If Mike Tyson wants the fight, it would be my honour, and I’m down to do it. He’s ready to go; he just needed a couple of weeks, so he’s back to training. We’re all just praying and hoping that everything is good and that he stays healthy."