Muhammad Ali’s grandson reveals he turned down ‘money I’ve never even seen before’ to fight Jake Paul and explains why
MUHAMMAD ALI’S grandson Nico refused to “sell out” and fight Jake Paul despite the millions on offer.
Ali Walsh announced after beating Sona Akale in a rematch that he rejected a deal from Paul and Most Valuable Promotions.
The middleweight prospect opened up on his decision and revealed the deal was worth £2.3million.
He told Sky Sports: “Morally it was an easy choice. I said no before I even heard the numbers.
“I believe it was upwards of $3million. Of course, that would be money that I’ve never made in my career.
“That would be money that I’ve never even seen before. But is everything really money? That’s how I was raised.
“You’ve got to ask yourself how much does your pride cost? How much are you willing to sell out for?
“Because that’s exactly how it is, at least in my book. Anyone else can do it.
“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.”
It is not the first time Ali Walsh has been linked with the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
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And Paul, 27, commented: “I been trying to fight this fraud and now he admitted he ducked me but calling me a circus act.”
The American is 9-1 in his career and had faced criticism for his choice of opposition in the past.
Paul’s only defeat came against Tommy Fury, 25, and he now returns against ex-UFC star and bare-knuckle boxer Mike Perry, 27.
But Ali Walsh, 24, said: “It is a circus. People like the circus.
“But it’s not something you want to mix with a deadly sport like boxing. We’re in a serious sport and it’s not a sport to be taken lightly.
“I just don’t think playing games, the way Jake Paul is doing, should be mixed in a sport that’s so deadly.”