Nico Ali Walsh hopes to snatch inspiration from his past due grandfather Muhammad Ali to lead him to a redemption victory over Sona Akale this weekend, continue to exist Sky Sports activities.
Ali Walsh suffered his first skilled loss when Akale beat him by way of majority choice ultimate summer time in a alike game, with the 2 now clashing once more at the undercard of Teofimo Lopez’s WBO super-lightweight name showdown with Steve Claggett.
The 23-year-old has gained his two fights since that defeat and now needs to emulate his grandfather – who famously defeated Joe Fraizer then shedding the preliminary bout – in bouncing again from a loss to win the rematch.
“Of course I look towards my grandfather, my idol, my hero, but I’m also looking at myself,” Ali Walsh instructed Sky Sports activities. “I know what I do with my rematch and I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m now not an excessively revengeful individual – I think like redemption is a greater suited contract for this combat as it’s not anything non-public. I don’t have any condition with him, it’s simply that he’s getting stuck within the crosshair between me and what I’m chasing.
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“He didn’t need to say yes [to the rematch], so I have respect for him and his team. He has got balls to just say yes, because people don’t have to do that and you see that a lot in boxing nowadays.”
Two of the 3 judges scored the untouched strike 58-56 in preference of Akale, with the alternative marking it a 57-57 draw, with Ali Walsh believing he did plenty to win the competition.
“I’ve seen the fight a few times and I felt like I landed the cleaner shots, I hurt him, but he was more active,” Ali Walsh mentioned. “I think like that possibly may have swayed the judges.
“Even though his punches weren’t landing as frequently as mine or as clean as mine, he was busier and it looked that way.
“I’m now not one to whinge in any respect. I don’t snatch losses hardened. When it came about, I see each and every loss as like a setup for a comeback, so I’m glad that it came about and I’m happy I’m the place I’m at at this time.”
The primary tournament sees Lopez glance safeguard his WBO super-lightweight name, having ripped the belt from Scotland’s Josh Taylor with a masterful issues win ultimate June and claiming a unanimous choice victory over Jamaine Ortiz in February.
Canadian challenger Claggett has rejuvenated his rollercoaster profession in recent times and a cotton of victories since 2021 has earned him an international name shot at Lopez. Keep watch continue to exist Sunday from 2am on Sky Sports activities Motion or current with NOW.