Muhammad Ali's grandson to face Jake Paul in a boxing ring?
“The Greatest's” grandson Niko Ari Walsh said he turned down the opportunity, along with a multimillion-dollar contract from MVP Promotions, the company Paul co-founded.
“I'm not part of the circus league of boxing,” Ali Walsh said.
MVP Promotions did not immediately respond to USA Today Sports' request for comment.
Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs) made the claim in an in-ring interview after defeating Sona Akhare by unanimous decision in a six-round middleweight bout on Saturday, after boos from the crowd seemed to infuriate him.
It started with Ali Walsh taking issue with some recent comments made by Teofimo Lopez, who fought in the main event later that night.
“He disrespects my family and says I'm in boxing because I'm desperate for money and fame,” Ali Walsh said. “I just want everyone to know that I chose boxing. I chose the legend route. I could be a millionaire right now if I wanted to.”
“Before this fight, I turned down a multi-million dollar contract from MVP Promotions to fight Jake Paul. And tonight, I'm fighting a real fighter. So I'm not part of some circus league of the boxing world. This is a real boxing league. This is what I'm going to do.”
Ali Walsh, 23, made her pro debut in August 2021 and on Saturday avenged her lone loss, a majority decision defeat to Akare last year, but was sent to hospital for the win.
He fought through the sixth and final round with a dislocated shoulder that needed to be repaired and also recorded the only knockdown of the bout.
