Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of legendary heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, has revealed he turned down a life-changing sum of money to step into the ring with YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Morals Over Millions: The Easy Decision
The 25-year-old professional boxer, who boasts a record of 13 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, stated the choice was simple. He claims to have rejected the offer before even hearing the financial details, which he believes were upwards of $3 million (£2.2 million).
"Morally it was an easy choice," Ali Walsh told Sky Sports. "That would be money that I've never even seen before. But is everything really money? That's how I was raised." He emphasised that upholding the iconic Ali name, especially on what would have been his grandfather's 84th birthday, forever outweighs a boosted bank balance.
Pride, Legacy, and a 'Circus Act'
Ali Walsh drew a stark line between his own motivations in the sport and those of Jake Paul, who helped pioneer the influencer boxing trend. "You've got to ask yourself how much does your pride cost," he continued. "How much are you willing to sell out for?"
He was unequivocal in his self-assessment: "But for me, I'm an Ali, I hold my name in such higher weight, I don't believe I should be playing in the mud with the likes of Jake Paul." He described the influencer boxing scene as a "circus" that shouldn't be mixed with what he considers a deadly serious sport.
Broader Disapproval of Paul's Approach
This isn't the first time Ali Walsh has criticised Jake Paul's boxing endeavours. He previously joined other boxing figures in condemning Paul's 2024 fight against a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, which Paul won by decision.
Lamenting the 31-year age gap, Ali Walsh said, "It shows Jake Paul's character. He has no shame in what he does." He drew a final, defining contrast between their paths: "I'm fighting for my bloodline and he's fighting for headlines. That's the difference between me and him."
Jake Paul, now 28, publicly confirmed he had made the fight offer, calling Ali Walsh a "fraud" for declining. Paul's professional record currently stands at 10 wins and 3 losses, with high-profile defeats to Tommy Fury in 2023 and a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.
Ali Walsh was last in action in December 2025, securing a unanimous decision victory over Jeremiah Sserwadda.
