Nico Ali Walsh will take inspiration from his late grandfather Muhammad Ali to spur him to revenge over Sona Akale. Ali Walsh, the grandson of arguably the greatest boxer of all time, was defeated by Akale in August 2023 in highly controversial fashion. The 23-year-old was furious with the judges' decision, but will receive a shot at redemption against the American on June 29.
His grandfather had some epic revenge missions during his stellar career, and Ali Walsh is of course well aware of his famous sequel with Joe Frazier in 1974. "Of course yes I will take it always as [inspiration]," Ali Walsh told talkSPORT.com.
"If I had to compare my career to my grandfather's for this fight, his first loss was against Joe Frazier. "He didn't think he lost, it's very similar to me I didn't think I lost. But then he had the rematch.
"He mauled Joe Frazier for the entire fight and I plan to do that in this fight." The rising star was unimpressed with the judges' scorecards, and is not wanting to leave it until the final bell. He added: "No this isn't even my first rematch.
"I have had such a short career and I've already had a rematch. "The way I did the first rematch [KO win over Reyes Sanchez] is exactly how I want to do this rematch." Legendary heavyweight Ali was left stunned by Frazier who handed him his first career defeat in March 1971, as he was dropped en route to a points defeat in the 'Fight of the Century'.
He eventually got around to rematching 'Smokin' Joe' three years late.
