Muhammad Ali’s grandson Biaggio Ali Walsh set for MMA debut and reveals mum’s fears over continuing family tradition
MUHAMMAD ALI'S grandson is primed to make his fighting debut tonight.
Biaggio Ali Walsh, 23, will battle it out for the first time on Rumble Under the Rims.
But unlike his grandfather, Ali Walsh has not pursued a career in professional boxing.
Instead he features on the undercard of the MMA event in Montana.
The coronavirus pandemic has delayed Ali Walsh's MMA debut, but he has spent the last two years training in anticipation of his first bout.
And ahead of the fight he has spoken of his pride about continuing the family tradition, despite his mother being "nervous" about him going into combat sport.
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He said: "I want to become a champion. To me, it doesn't matter the organisation or promotion.
"I just want to make a name for myself and continue the tradition of fighting in my family."
Ali Walsh added about his mother: "She is nervous as any mother would be. But she will support me and be by my side with anything I want to do."
After playing American Football at college Ali Walsh spent time modelling, although now he is fully focused on his MMA career.
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He said: "There is no balance between modelling and training because I am rarely ever modelling.
"My last modelling job was in 2020 so those type of gigs do not happen so often.
"I am solely focused on finishing college and getting better in the gym.
"If a paid modelling job were to come up, I want to make sure it works around my school and gym."
Hailing from the same family as one of boxing's greatest ever fighters, Ali Walsh says his striking ability is one of his strong points.
He revealed: "I would say that growing up in the world of boxing would make me a striker but I do find myself pretty well-rounded.
"I began training with no specific base and started learning all the disciplines at the same time.
"I did no previous combat sports before MMA. I was always just a huge fan of martial arts and boxing."
Ali-Walsh's younger brother Nico has also gone into fighting.
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The 21-year-old has followed directly in the footsteps of the great Ali to become a professional boxer, and currently boasts a 5-0 pro record.
He has the same trainer as Tyson Fury - boxing icon Sugarhill Steward.
