It seems that the Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson fight has had the desired impact. While one part of the equation was surely for Paul to gain credibility, it was also a walking advertisement for others to come out of the woodwork to show the world how it’s done. Since the bout, formidable opponents have stepped forward. One is none other than Nico Ali Walsh. Given his earlier refusal to get in the ring with Paul, it makes many wonder why he had a change of heart.
Earlier, Nico Ali Walsh made headlines when he publicly denied any opportunity to fight Paul, despite what was on the table. Lately, It seems the grandson of the G.O.A.T, Muhammed Ali, has had a change of heart. That change of heart comes with a big stipulation, and money is still not the driving force. Not only was he clear on what terms he needs to enter the ring with Paul, but what he thought of “The problem child,”
The fighter noted that the only way he would consider boxing Paul is if Mike Tyson explicitly asked him to. The Mirror notes,
“On Instagram, the prospect revealed he would take on Paul – but only if Tyson asked him to.”
Clearly, he doesn’t feel that Paul deserves the privilege of sharing the ring with him. As the Mirror went on to note, ‘
“The 24-year-old revealed he had turned down a lucrative fight offer previously from Paul, deeming a showdown with the YouTuber to be beneath the Ali name.”
And Walsh outright referred to Jake Paul as an “embarrassment,” for even stepping into the ring with a 58-year-old Tyson.
For Ali Walsh, the son of Rasheda Ali, boxing is more than a pay-for-play sport. For him, it’s a matter of pride, it’s a legacy, and it’s a torch he carries in the name of his late grandfather. The proud boxer notes that he didn’t even need to know the price, to turn down the offer. It was a matter of morals and principles.
“Morally, it was an easy choice. I said no before I even heard the numbers. I believe it was upwards of $3m. Of course, that would be money that I’ve never made in my career. That would be money that I’ve never even seen before. But is everything really money?”
In an earlier article, the question was raised: does everything have a price tag? That answer is different for everyone. Muhammad Ali’s daughter even weighed in, making a great point. Rasheda Ali stated that there was a time when boxing was more than for a show or an exhibitionist’s display. Boxing, before her father rose as one of the greats, meant something different. The purse was much lighter, but the expectations and the weight on the shoulders were much heavier.
As Rasheda Ali noted in reaction to the recent match,
“ Daddy would have been mortified because back then, boxers didn’t really make that much. They were fighting for their lives, and I think as my dad started to make boxing more entertaining, people came on board, and boxers started to make a lot of money after my dad.”
Will Walsh step in the ring with Jake Paul? That is yet to be seen. If this match was to take place, what would the outcome say about the entire sport? Anyone who is a legacy holder, with plans to get in the ring with Paul, must recognize that there is more at stake than just coming out as the winner.
This is a whirlwind journey for Jake Paul. He has been able to indulge in his new passion, hone and display his skills, and emerge as a prominent name in contemporary boxing, whether assuming the role of the villain or the hero.
History may forever recall him as the outsider who fearlessly challenged the established order, entering the ring with those who had already etched their names in the annals of greatness. The thing is, whatever the result, it still makes him a history-maker. For him, it’s a win-win situation.
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