Biaggio Ali Walsh, the grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, experienced his first professional defeat on Friday night when he was submitted via triangle choke.
PFL had fast-tracked the boxing icon`s grandson, supporting his amateur journey before his pro debut last year. After achieving a 2-0 record with two impressive victories, he faced a challenging opponent in Ronnie Gibbs.
Both fighters hail from Chicago. Gibbs, backed by his home crowd, endured a tough first round to secure the most significant win of his budding professional career. Ali Walsh must now re-evaluate and plan his next steps.
Biaggio Ali Walsh Submitted in Third Pro Bout
Biaggio Ali Walsh entered the PFL Smart Cage as a heavy favorite (-1600) on Friday and appeared dominant initially. He dropped Gibbs early, but his opponent recovered and survived the first half of the opening round.
Just before the round ended, Ali Walsh scored another knockdown and landed elbows that might have ended the fight if not for the bell. This set up an interesting second round, where Gibbs quickly managed to take the fight to the ground.
Gibbs eventually gained top position and secured an arm triangle choke, compelling Ali Walsh to tap out. The Chicago crowd erupted for their local fighter, who celebrated on top of the cage while Walsh recovered. The two shared a respectful embrace afterward.
Following the fight, Ali Walsh posted on Instagram, stating: “God is the Greatest. We didn’t end up with the result that we wanted but this experience will only make me better. Congrats to @the_emperor_of_finesse, you were very tough and resilient and have a great future! Time to fix the things I need to fix. Thank you everyone for the love and support!”
Biaggio Ali Walsh`s Initial Success as a Pro
Given his grandfather`s immense fame and popularity, Biaggio Ali Walsh`s career was always destined for the spotlight. His support system includes his brother, boxer Nico Ali Walsh, and rap icon Flavor Flav, who is often seen at his fights.
After a 1-1 start in his first two amateur contests, PFL signed Ali Walsh, giving him five more amateur fights before he turned professional. His pro debut was in Saudi Arabia, where he went the distance with Emanuel Palacio.
However, his second professional fight in Florida last year showcased his powerful striking. He knocked out debutant Brian Stapleton within a minute, establishing himself as a promising prospect.
Gareth Pendleton