Muhammad Ali’s grandson carries on his legacy of service in and out of the ring

By Daily Sports on May 25, 2018

Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, doesn’t need to be told about the weight his last name carries.

“I know what my last name means to people because that’s my family,” Walsh said.

His grandfather’s legacy is his guide in the sport of boxing. Not only does Walsh want to embody who he was in the ring, but outside of it as well. His bout Thursday evening at the Celtic Boxing Club of Chicago proves that as all of the proceeds go to the organisation Christmas Without Cancer. In all, there will be 10 boxing bouts.

Founder Gerri Neylon started the organisation with the simple idea to help families affected by cancer. Starting 14 years ago, Neylon helped one family every Christmas with the cost of cancer treatments.

“Every year it just got bigger,” Neylon said. “I’d come home and there would be gift cards and checks in my mailbox. It got a little bigger every year so I decided to make it a non-profit organisation.”

In 2017, Neylon and her organisation helped 17 families during the holidays.

On Thursday night, Neylon and Christmas Without Cancer teamed with the Ali family for what they hope will be their biggest event yet. The draw being Ali’s grandson as the featured fighter.

Walsh was told about the cause by his uncle Mike Joyce, who runs the Leo High School boxing program. When Walsh heard about the event, he couldn’t turn down the chance to return to Chicago to box in front of his family and serve the community.

“It was an opportunity for me to get a fight here,” Walsh said. “It’s hard to find (amateur) fights in Vegas so it was the perfect opportunity to come here and box for a good cause.”

Walsh’s mother, Rasheda Ali Walsh, will be ringside as her son fights St. Rita product Ryan Clancy. Seeing her son in the ring connects her and the rest of her family to their father.

“My dad is going to be here in spirit as Nico gets in the ring fighting for a great cause,” Rasheda said. “That is in tandem with what my dad did. Service to others is something my dad did in and out of the ring. I think he would be very proud of Nico taking and carrying on his legacy.”

•Report courtesy of Chicago Sun Times. Photo: Nico Ali Walsh gets a workout in at Leo High School before his bout to benefit Christmas Without Cancer.

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 25, 2018


 

You may also like...
Tiger Woods pleads not guilty to DUI charges...

Delight, sadness over Messi’s international retirement

Super Eagles’ World Cup 2018 Provisional List

Farah Happy For Samples To Be Re-tested

ATP Under Criticism Over Peng Treatment

Pep thinks he's 'God' - Toure's agent

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,388 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,395 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,544 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,218 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,002 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,881 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,766 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,223 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,272 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,182 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,631 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,208 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media