Latest news with #BiaggioAliWalsh
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Muhammad Ali may have had a different opinion on Jake Paul to what you'd think
Biaggio Ali Walsh has given his take on what his grandfather, Muhammad Ali, would make of Jake Paul and the YouTube boxing scene - and it may surprise some fight fans given his legendary status Muhammad Ali would have been incredibly supportive of Jake Paul's"circus" boxing fights, according to his grandson. The People's Champion will go down as one of the greatest to ever step in the ring as a result of his legendary career, in which he secured world heavyweight glory three times and best a who's who of talent at the time - including the likes of Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Leon Spinks. However, the fight game has seen major changes in recent years - with a number of influencers lacing up the gloves to try their hand in the squared-circle. YouTube boxing can be traced back to August 2017, when friends Joe Weller and Theo Baker uploaded a video of them duking it out in the ring. This led as the precursor for KSI's monumental showdown with Weller at London's Copperbox Arena the following year, which KSI won via a third-round technical knockout. In the years since, a new age of boxing fans have been introduced to the sport through social media stars like AnEsonGib, HSTikkyTokky, Elle Brooke and even the Island Boys getting involved. But nobody has done it bigger or better than Jake Paul. The 28-year-old made his boxing debut against Deji Olatunji back in 2018 as an amateur, where he achieved a fifth-round TKO, before turning professional two years later where he secured a first-round TKO over YouTuber AnEsonGib. Fast forward to 2025 and Paul has racked up an impressive professional record of 11-1, with wins over the likes of Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Mike Perry, Tyron Woodley and Mike Tyson - albeit, the latter was 58 when the two went to-to-toe. His only loss came at the hands of Tommy Fury in February 2023 via split-decision. And while many boxing purists have been left disgusted at how the sport has been somewhat turned on its head by such influencers, Biaggio Ali Walsh believes that his grandfather would have been entertained by the big-name celebrity contests. Speaking to Mirror Fighting about influencer boxing, Walsh - who fights under the Professional Fighters League banner in mixed martial arts - said: "In terms of the circus fights, that's what I like to call them is like…It's money orientated. "It's not like it's not based on talent anymore, really. It's based on just the biggest name versus the biggest name, regardless of your skill level. But to make of that, I honestly don't think he would disapprove of it because the viewership in the eyes and people buying to watch the fight was the reason he even started trash talking and brought out his personality anyways. "So in a way, I feel like he'd be supportive of it. You know, if you can fool millions of people to watch you fight, then you're doing something right, right? So I feel like he wouldn't disapprove of it. It would be entertaining for him to to see what's next, like who's the next big name versus the next big name. "So I don't think he would disapprove of it. In fact, I think he would be entertained by it because that's something he did and he got that from Gorgeous George. I think he would like it, he would be supportive of it. I think so." Meanwhile, giving his own opinion of Paul - who is also signed to the PFL to compete in MMA but is yet to announce his debut - Walsh added: "Jake, him and his brother [ Logan Paul ] both, you got to give credit where credit's due. They are genius marketers. "They know how to do it, man. They know how to market themselves well. They know how to get eyes on them. And my grandfather was really good at that. The trash talking started with him. And the reason was so that people can come and pay tickets to come watch him fight. "And with social media nowadays, there's so many different platforms where you can do it, and Jake Paul takes full advantage of that. And he's really, really good at it, him and his brother both. But as a fighter, I think it's good that he's fighting [Julio Cesar] Chavez Jr. "Everybody wants to see Jake Paul fight a boxer, an actual boxer. And he did with Tommy Fury, but he ended up losing that fight. So I think him fighting Chavez is a good move. You're fighting an actual boxer now. So yeah, all the best to him, honestly." It comes as Paul is set to go toe-to-toe with his toughest test yet on Saturday night, when he shares the stage with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The son of former super-featherweight, lightweight and light-welterweight world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez, Chavez Jr heads into the fray with a respectable record of 54-6-1-1. A former WBC middleweight champion in his own right with defences over Peter Manfredo Jr, Marco Antonio Rubio and Andy Lee, Chavez Jr heads into the fight at the age of 39 off the back of a unanimous decision win over Urijah Hall last July. With more experience under his belt than Tyson in terms of fights and far fresher than Iron Mike when he fought Paul in November, it is thought that Chavez Jr will be a genuine challenger for The Problem Child when they meet at Anaheim's Honda Centre, and may just derail the hype train he is aboard at present.
USA Today
28-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 PFL 7 video: Ronnie Gibbs takes Biaggio Ali Walsh's undefeated record in giant upset
Few expected Biaggio Ali Walsh to lose at Friday's 2025 PFL World Tournament 7. One of the biggest upsets in PFL history – and the sport – was registered this Friday night. Biaggio Ali Walsh, grandson of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and one of PFL's most promoted names, was submitted by promotional newcomer Ronnie Gibbs in a shocking result at 2025 PFL World Tournament 7 (ESPN, ESPN+), which took place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Ali Walsh (2-1) entered the bout on some sports books as high as a -2000 favorite. Gibbs (2-0) was also fighting at lightweight, a weight class above his usual fighting weight of 145 pounds. Yet, despite the weight disadvantage, odds, and getting beat in the first round of their three-round contest, Gibbs got a takedown in the second, landed some heavy ground-and-pound and then submitted Ali Walsh with an arm triangle choke. You can watch Gibbs' big upset win in the video below:
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson but kept it a secret when I walked into the gym… I took beatings like everyone else
BIAGGIO ALI WALSH is related to the most famous fighter of all time but he hid it - because he wanted to take beatings just like everyone else. The 26-year-old is the grandson to boxing icon Muhammad Ali and now finds himself making his own way in MMA. 4 4 Biaggio once had aspirations of going to the NFL but swapped American football for MMA - where he is now 2-0. The lightweight trains at Extreme Couture - the Las Vegas gym headed up by Eric Nicksick - trainer to Francis Ngannou. When Biaggio first walked into the gym he kept his identity a secret - and it took ex-UFC champion Sean Strickland FOUR YEARS to catch on. Biaggio told SunSport: "I never walked into Extreme Couture and I would tell people, 'Oh, I'm Muhammad Ali's grandson.' "That's actually the last thing I want is for people to know as soon as they get to a gym. "So yeah, I think just word of mouth, people started to find out who I was. Apparently Sean Strickland didn't know till like a couple of weeks ago. "He came up to me and he's like, 'Bro, you're Muhammad Ali's grandson?' I was like, 'Yes Sean, you didn't know this? I thought like Eric or someone would have told you or something. "He's like, 'No. I didn't know, that's so cool. Like, how was he? Was he cool?' I was like, 'Yeah, he was cool, he was funny. Does the boxing make sense now?'" Biaggio - who shares his Islamic faith with his grandad - had seven amateur fights - winning six - before turning professional in 2024. But that came after years of learning the ropes in the gym and taking his licks in the gym - just like everyone else. EXCL Muhammad Ali would still tease George Foreman about Rumble in Jungle win 40 years on as legends became best friends Biaggio said: "In a combat sport, who you're related to means nothing, Where you come from means nothing. "You could come from a silver spoon in your mouth, your dad could be a billionaire, but when you get in that cage and it's locked, even for sparring, that's not gonna help you. "It's you that's gonna be fighting for you. When I first got to Extreme, you know, a lot of ass whoopings, a lot of ass whoopings. You pay your dues, dude. That's how it is in the sport." Biaggio - signed to the Professional Fighters League - returns to the cage on June 27 in Chicago against 2-0 Ronnie Gibbs after nearly one year out. And he said: "I think in this sport, a break like that is good because you can sharpen so many tools and get your mind right and it gives you plenty of time to just get better in everything, physically and mentally. "And that's where I feel like I am. I feel like I've gotten so much better as a fighter and I've gotten so much better in my mental too, so super excited for this fight. I'd like to get a couple more fights at the end of this year." 4 4
Arab News
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Biaggio Ali Walsh gets support from Muslim community ahead of SmartCage return
DUBAI: Undefeated fighter Biaggio Ali Walsh has revealed how the Muslim community in Las Vegas, Nevada, is supporting him ahead of his highly anticipated return to the Professional Fighters League's SmartCage. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Family, friends and members of the community gathered at Masjid As-Sabur, the oldest mosque in Las Vegas, on June 13 to show their support for Walsh ahead of his upcoming fight — a showcase lightweight bout against Ronnie Gibbs on June 27, which is part of the 2025 PFL World Championship semifinals, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Walsh explained: 'Some people from the community, family and friends, came and helped, supporting my fight coming up. 'I'm just super grateful for all the love and support; I feel it radiating throughout me.' It was a special night of fellowship as everyone prayed, enjoyed food, and wished Walsh well. Walsh, who is the grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, spoke about the importance of faith and how essential it is to have a deep relationship with God. He said: 'Faith is everything in life, period. I feel like if you have good faith and deep faith in God and trust God, you can do anything. 'It's everything, it's the only thing I know, and that's the only thing that helps calm me before these kinds of fights.' He added: 'I'm really excited for the fight … thank you guys so much for coming out, and inshallah, I will come back victorious.' Initially making waves as a standout collegiate football player, the 26-year old found his way to mixed martial arts and ultimately made the full-time leap. It was this transition to combat sports that, he said, helped strengthen his faith and his relationship with God. In 2024, shortly after turning pro in MMA, Walsh deepened his devotion by partaking in Umrah, the spiritual journey to Makkah. Coming from a family of elite fighters, it is no surprise that Walsh is making an impact on the MMA scene. In addition to the Muhammad Ali connection, Walsh's aunt is world champion boxer Laila Ali. His younger brother Nico is also a professional boxer. Now with a 2-0 record in his professional MMA career, Walsh is determined to carry on the Ali legacy into a new era — and with faith, family, and community behind him, he has never been more ready.
