'My grandad was Muhammad Ali - he couldn't believe what I said about Mayweather'

Daily Mirror

12 hours ago

Biaggio Ali Walsh has explained that his grandfather, Muhammad Ali, couldn't believe what he was hearing when he found out how much Floyd Mayweather Jr was making for boxing fights
Muhammad Ali refused to believe it when his grandson told him how much Floyd Mayweather Jr was making per boxing match. Arguably the greatest to ever step into the squared-circle, Ali enjoyed an incredible 21-year career in the world of prizefighting.
The People's Champ lifted three heavyweight titles between 1960 and 1981, clinched Olympic gold for the United states, and shared the ring with a number of top-tier opponents during the sport's golden age. And while Ali found worldwide acclaim for his endeavours in the ring, the paychecks that he received for besting the world's top talent will undoubtedly pale in comparison to what the heavyweights of the sport make today.
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For example, it is thought that Ali's biggest-ever purse came in the form of a £5.9million payday for fighting former sparring partner Larry Holmes back in October 1980 - while his 1975 Thrilla in Manilla with Joe Frazier, which is arguably the biggest boxing fight of all time, earned him a reported £4.4m.
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And while these figures were unprecedented for their time, they are but a drop in the ocean when compared the mega amounts that Mayweather Jr has received for some of his own bouts - something which Ali himself failed to comprehend. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Fighting, Ali's grandson - Biaggio Ali Walsh - explained: "You know, years ago when he was still alive, we were telling him how much Floyd was getting paid for his fights because Floyd was making a lot of money.
"He was making over 100 million for his fights. And my grandpa was sitting in the chair. He's like, 'No, no, no.' 'Oh, yeah. Yeah, bro. He's making 100 million.' And he's like, 'No, no way.' I'm like, 'Yeah, dude, that's where boxing is now.'"
With a flawless professional record of 50-0, Mayweather Jr is arguably the greatest pugilist of the 1990s and 2000s - racking up 15 major world championships across five weight classes, from super featherweight to light middleweight. Having adopted the moniker 'Money,' it comes as little-to-no-surprise that the 48-year-old racked up a significant bank balance during his nights in the squared-circle.
As per reports, Mayweather's 2017 fight with UFC double champion Conor McGregor landed him a whopping £203m - which remains as the largest boxing purse of all time if correct. Meanwhile, his long-awaited 'Fight of the Century' with Manny Pacquiao two years earlier reportedly saw him walk away £184m richer.
And that's not to mention the £59m that Mayweather Jr is said to have saw for his 2013 win over Canelo Alvarez either. All things considered, it is estimated that Mayweather Jr sits with an estimated net worth of £295m in 2025, and is thought to have made more than £839m ($1billion) over the course of his career.
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It comes as Walsh is currently crafting his own legacy within the world of combat sports. A skilled mixed martial artist with a record of 2-0 at present, the 26-year-old's next challenge comes in the form of Ronnie Gibbs under the Professional Fighters League banner come June 27.
However, the pugilist - who fights out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, Nevada - insists that his grandfather didn't inspire him to seek a career in prizefighting. He explained: "You know, what's crazy is he didn't inspire me to go into combat sports. He inspires me to live the way he was as a person is how he inspires me the most.
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"You know, he had the platform and he had the fame and he used that platform to help people. You know, he…he's done so much good in his life as a person and he's helped so many people. You know, he never said no to an autograph. He made so many people smile.
"People would hand him their kids, [he would] hug them and kiss them and sign autographs. And he was funny too - he'd do magic tricks on people on the street, have no bodyguards walking, you know, not like…like Floyd today. You know, he just walks around with 10 foot bodyguards and just acting like he's better than you.
"Papi was a people's champion, you know? And the people loved him. You know, he didn't have no bodyguards. He walked down the street and just signed autographs, take pictures with you, he loved the people.
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"So it wasn't his combat talent that made me want to go into combat sports. It was who he was as a person that inspired me more. You know, if I ever get to a platform, you know, to even get kind of close to that level is almost impossible. He inspires me to try to use my platform to be able to do that and help people.
"So, yeah, but to even get close to his level of fame is I feel like it's impossible. I mean, he just treated people so good. Like choosing the combat route was…that was my own choice. I was always a fight fan my whole life, especially boxing before MMA. Like when I was 14, that's when I kind of started watching MMA.
"But the combat route was like that was my own choice. But the biggest thing he inspires me with is who he was as a person and his faith in God. You know, so that's what inspires me most about him."