On Friday night, Biaggio Ali Walsh, the grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, experienced his initial professional defeat, being forced to submit via triangle choke.
The PFL has rapidly advanced the career of the boxing icon`s grandson, nurturing his amateur progression before he transitioned to the professional ranks last year. After achieving a 2-0 record with two convincing victories, he encountered a formidable challenge against Ronnie Gibbs.
Both competitors hail from Chicago. However, Gibbs benefited from strong hometown support, which helped him overcome a challenging first round and secure the most significant win of his early professional career. Ali Walsh must now reassess his situation and plan his next steps.
Biaggio Ali Walsh Taps Out in Third Professional Bout
Entering the PFL Smart Cage on Friday night as a significant favorite at -1600, Biaggio Ali Walsh initially demonstrated the dominance expected of him. He quickly knocked down Gibbs, who nonetheless managed to recover and survive the first half of the opening round.
With only seconds remaining in the round, Ali Walsh scored another knockdown, unleashing elbows that likely would have ended the fight had the bell not intervened. This set the stage for an intriguing second round, during which Gibbs soon succeeded in taking the fight to the ground.
Eventually, Gibbs gained top control and successfully applied an arm triangle choke, compelling Ali Walsh to tap out. The Chicago crowd erupted in celebration for their local fighter, who climbed the cage. As Walsh recovered, the two opponents shared a moment of mutual respect.
Reflecting on the fight afterward on Instagram, Ali Walsh posted, “God is the Greatest. The outcome wasn`t what we wanted, but this experience will undoubtedly make me better. Congratulations to @the_emperor_of_finesse; you showed great toughness and resilience and have a bright future! It`s time for me to fix what needs fixing. Thank you everyone for the love and support!”
Biaggio Ali Walsh`s Promising Start to Professional Career
With a grandfather as globally renowned and admired as Muhammad Ali, Biaggio Ali Walsh`s career was destined to be under considerable scrutiny. He is frequently seen with a high-profile group, including his brother Nico, who is also a boxer, and the rap icon Flavor Flav, a regular presence at his fights.
Following a 1-1 record in his initial two amateur contests, Ali Walsh was signed by the PFL, participating in five more amateur fights before turning professional. His professional debut took place in Saudi Arabia, where he went the distance against Emanuel Palacio.
However, he displayed his formidable punching power in his second professional bout last year in Florida against debutant Brian Stapleton. Within the first minute, he secured a knockout victory over his opponent, establishing his potential as a developing talent.
