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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'My grandad was Muhammad Ali - he couldn't believe what I said about Mayweather'
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. 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. 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. 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. "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. "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."
Wales Online
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Chris Eubank Sr's strained relationship with son as feud left him wanting Conor Benn fight banned
Chris Eubank Sr's strained relationship with son as feud left him wanting Conor Benn fight banned Chris Eubank Sr will have no part in his son's upcoming bout with Conor Benn, and has publicly called for the fight to be cancelled due to differences in weight between the two fighters Chris Eubank Sr used to be a big part of his son's boxing career (Image: Getty Images ) Chris Eubank Sr has shared his distaste for his son's upcoming fight with Conor Benn, publicly calling for the bout to be called off. The two-time world champion played a major part in shaping Chris Eubank Jr's boxing career, consistently by his side in his formative years to issue words of wisdom and pass on his own professional guidance. However, Eubank Sr hasn't been seen in his son's corner since 2019, following a familial rift between the two. Speaking on his relationship with his father last year, Eubank Jr told Mirror Fighting: "He doesn't have a role which is pretty crazy because for a huge part of my career he was a massive part of everything, the business side, the press conferences, the training... Article continues below "He was always there and now he's not there for any of it." On why he decided to make changes to his team and ditch his dad's tutelage, the 35-year-old added: "I had to make that transition. "I had to step out of that cycle because I felt it wasn't working and as my own man, I had learned enough and had done enough in the game to do my own thing, to walk my own path and not follow someone else. "At this moment in time he's having trouble separating the business and the boxing and the coaching from being just my dad. For so many reasons that's how he was my dad so when that's not there, he doesn't know what to do, that's what he's dealing with right now. "I think it's going to take me being out of boxing for him to come back into my life. I hope that's not the case but that's how I see it. I'm very appreciate of everything he did and everything he taught me throughout my life and my career but I want to be my own man and that's what I'm doing now." Eubank Jr fights Benn on Saturday (Image: PA ) The death of Eubank Jr's brother, Sebastian, also drove a wedge between the pugilist and his father. Sebastian tragically passed away in 2021 after suffering a heart attack on a beach in Dubai, and Eubank Jr explained how it further impacted his relationship with his dad. He told Piers Morgan's Uncensored show: "You have the situation with my brother passing away. That affected him in a deep way – it affected all of us. Mental health is a real thing. That incident, coupled with the fact that we were already not seeing eye to eye, destroyed a large part of the relationship. And it still doesn't seem to have recovered." Watch Eubank Jr. vs Benn live on DAZN This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £21.99 £19.95 DAZN Order the fight here Product Description Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn will face off on Saturday, April 26, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fans can order the fight on DAZN PPV for £19.95, which also comes with a DAZN seven-day free trial. Meanwhile, Eubank Jr's decision to take on Benn and carry on the rivalry that his father endured with the 28-year-old's father, Nigel Benn, in the 90s has also left a sour taste in his mouth. Eubank Sr won the WBO middleweight title following a ninth-round TKO of Nigel in 1990, before he was held to a draw by his opponent in a rematch three years later. But it isn't because of their own rivalry that Eubank Sr disagrees with his son's upcoming fight, but rather the weight difference between the two pugilists. Eubank Jr has spent the majority of his career at middleweight, while Benn has made a name for himself 13lbs lighter in the welterweight division. The Eubank family have been divided for the last few years (Image: Liverpool Echo ) And while the bout on Saturday will take place at 160lbs - with a hydration clause ensuring that neither man adds more than 10lbs to their fight night weight - Eubank Sr still picks problem with the battle. The 58-year-old said: "The rules is you don't do the wrong weights. "Weights fight the same weights." He added: "They're breaking the rules. And when you break the rules, we have a country of baboons. This is Great Britain. We developed boxing. So, stick to the rules." Eubank Sr is not expected to be in attendance at his son's fight on Saturday night, despite pleas from Eubank Jr to have his dad by his side. On Morgan's Uncensored, he added: "I'm here. "I'm getting ready for the biggest fight of my life. If you want to be next to me, like his father's next to him, we can do it together. If not, no hard feelings, I'll get the job done for you — don't worry about it. Article continues below "He's my old man. It doesn't matter if I don't talk to him until the day I die. I'm always gonna love him. He taught me everything. As far as I know, he doesn't want this fight to go ahead." It is said, however, that Eubank Jr and his father have started to work on their relationship as of late, crossing paths at an event in Brighton last month in which Harlem Eubank - Jr's cousin - secured a knockout victory over Tyrone McKenna. Speaking to Ring Magazine about the instance, Eubank Sr said: "The moment was meaningful. I love my son, just as I love all my children. "Seeing him again, I could tell he's grown. There's a wisdom in his face and demeanour that wasn't there before. No matter what has happened, I will always have Jr's back."
Wales Online
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Chris Eubank Sr's wildest purchase and old £4m mansion, secret wife, reason for name change
Chris Eubank Sr's wildest purchase and old £4m mansion, secret wife, reason for name change Chris Eubank Sr has had a complicated relationship with his son, Chris Eubank Jr, over the years, going from managing the boxing talent to barely speaking due to his upcoming fight with Conor Benn Chris Eubank Sr used to manage his son (Image: Getty Images ) Chris Eubank Sr will not be in his son's corner as he heads into one of the biggest fights of his life with Conor Benn on Saturday. Chris Eubank Jr is set to put a life-long rivalry to bed when he meets Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening - a rivalry traced back to his father's clashes with Benn's dad, Nigel Benn. Eubank Sr and Nigel initially clashed in the squared circle in 1990, when Eubank Sr secured the WBO middleweight title via a ninth-round TKO. A rematch three years later saw the two men fight to a draw, with a rubber match never arriving to give Nigel one last chance to get the better of his opponent. Now, more than three decades later, their sons are set to go toe-to-toe in what is being billed as one of the greatest British boxing matches ever. Article continues below However, Eubank Sr is completely opposed to the idea of his son, who is naturally a middleweight, taking on welterweight Benn at 160lbs, straining their familial relationship. Eubank Sr's relationship with his son Eubank Sr played a huge part in his son's boxing career during its early stages. He was seen side-by-side with Eubank Jr at press conferences, giving critical advice between rounds from his corner. However, he has not been seen coaching or managing his son since 2019. Speaking to Mirror Fighting about how their professional relationship dwindled over the years, Eubank Jr said: "He doesn't have a role, which is pretty crazy because for a huge part of my career he was a massive part of everything, the business side, the press conferences, the training... he was always there and now he's not there for any of it. "I had to make that transition, I had to step out of that cycle because I felt it wasn't working, and as my own man, I had learned enough and had done enough in the game to do my own thing, to walk my own path and not follow someone else. At this moment in time, he's having trouble separating the business and the boxing and the coaching from being just my dad. Chris Eubank Sr played a huge part in his son's boxing career (Image: Liverpool Echo ) "For so many reasons, that's how he was my dad so when that's not there, he doesn't know what to do, that's what he's dealing with right now. I think it's going to take me being out of boxing for him to come back into my life. I hope that's not the case, but that's how I see it. "I'm very appreciative of everything he did and everything he taught me throughout my life and my career, but I want to be my own man, and that's what I'm doing now." Meanwhile, Eubank Jr said that the death of his brother, Sebastian, also caused a rift between himself and his father. Sebastian died at the age of just 29 in Dubai in 2021 after suffering a heart attack, and Eubank Jr said that it had "destroyed a large part" of the relationship. Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said: "You have the situation with my brother passing away. That affected him in a deep way – it affected all of us. Mental health is a real thing. That incident, coupled with the fact that we were already not seeing eye to eye, destroyed a large part of the relationship. "And it still doesn't seem to have recovered." Since the interview, however, it is said that Eubank Sr and his son have since met and begun repairing their relationship. Eubank Sr cost his son £3m Eddie Hearn said that Eubank Sr's demands cost his son a £3million fight with Gennady Golovkin in 2016, with the middleweight No. 1 instead defending his collection of WBC, IBF and WBA belts against Kell Brook. The Kazakhstani pugilist had agreed terms to face Eubank Jr at the time, but 'Next Gen' stalled on signing the contract, before the fight was instead offered to Brook - who went on to lose the fight via a fifth-round TKO. Hearn blamed Eubank Sr for the debacle due to reported demands on which television commentator would work on the fight and how much tickets to the event would cost. The Matchroom Boxing head said: "I believe Eubank Jr genuinely wanted the fight, and we worked solidly for three weeks trying to make the fight. "We had several meetings and contracts went back and forth. We sent them a final contract on Tuesday and said you have 24 hours and they never came back to us. We just ran out of time, so I offered it to Kell. The deal that Kell Brook is on is the same as what Eubank Jr was offered, it's the same pay-per-view deal as Anthony Joshua is getting and what Carl Froch got. Eddie Hearn was not impressed by Chris Eubank Sr's way of handling the fight (Image: Getty Images ) "It was so frustrating. It was the crazy demands that meant the fight could not happen for Eubank Jr against Golovkin. They think it's negotiations but it's not a bluff when I say it's 24 hours to sign the contract. They were given a deadline and they chose not to take the fight. "They wanted full operational control of the promotion. They were even asking things from Sky Sports like, 'We want these commentators', which is ridiculous. I feel for Eubank Jr because I don't think he knows what's going on and he was going to earn three or five million pounds. They have to understand that it's not playing a game. "Chris Eubank Jr hasn't made one decision, he doesn't breathe without his dad's say so. All the negotiations were done with Chris Eubank Sr and the lawyer." Eubank Sr goes bankrupt After enjoying an illustrious boxing career of his own, winning multiple world championships, Eubank Sr fell into the trap of spending frivolously to the point of bankruptcy. Speaking to Morgan on his Life Stories show in 2021, the pugilist explained that he splurged on expensive clothes, paid over the top prices for haircuts, bought a Lord of the Manor title for £45,000, and splashed out on a swanky £4m mock Tudor home in Hove, East Sussex. His lifestyle eventually saw him file for bankruptcy in 2009, and left him sleeping in a truck; however, keen to learn from his mistakes, he saw this as a "good thing", which had taught him a "lesson". A third wife Eubank Sr and his first wife, Karron, married in December 1990 in Brighton, welcoming four children: Chris Jr, Sebastian, Emily, and Joseph. Eubank also has an elder son, Nathaniel Wilson, from a previous relationship. In August 2005, Karron and Eubank Sr divorced. In 2014, Eubank married once more, this time to manager Claire Geary. Their matrimony lasted just three years before a separation in 2017. During his conversation on Morgan's Life Stories, Eubank Sr announced that he had married for a third time, but wanted to keep his American wife out of the spotlight. Chris Eubank Sr and his first wife Karron (left) (Image: Daily Record ) Morgan probed Eubank Sr: "You've got married again to a lady in Louisiana, you haven't really talked much about that," before the former boxer replied: "No, she's not a public figure. She doesn't want to be a public figure." He also added that they were "extremely happy" at the time. It is unknown if Eubank Sr is still married to the woman, who remains unknown, given that he has kept his personal affairs largely out of the spotlight. Eubank Sr against his son's match with Conor Benn Fast forward to April 2025, and Eubank Sr is completely opposed to his son's upcoming fight with Benn due to weight differences between the two pugilists. Benn, who has spent the majority of his career at 147lbs will move up to meet Eubank Jr's middleweight limit of 160lbs. And while a hydration clause has been inserted into the contract to prevent either fighter adding 10lbs to their weight before fight night, Eubank Sr has insisted that the bout is "against the rules". He told Seconds Out: "It's against the rules what is happening, 147lbs fighting 160lbs is against the rules. "When Kell Brook was made to fight GGG [Gennady Golovkin] it's against the rules. That boy [Brook] had his eye socket smashed. For promoters, it is just a game, but to the warriors, it is a way of life. Chris Eubank Jr hit Conor Benn with an egg at their face-offs (Image: PA ) "We have to call them what they are, they are trash, they are trashing us. We are not trash, we are the standard bearers... if you are not clever and you are not noble, this [boxing] will kill you, this vocation, what they call sport. If you don't play it right already, Conor, you don't have a career to enjoy." Eubank Sr was also left disgusted by his son when he smashed an egg into Benn's face during a tense face-off for the bout back in February, adding: "Junior, you are smashing an egg against this guy's face. I taught you that? I didn't teach you that? Article continues below "Who taught you that? Did Karron [Eubank Jr's mum] teach you that? Who taught you that? That is disgraceful. That is disgraceful. I'm going to be in your corner? I would never have been in your corner. That is a disgrace. "You are smashing an egg in someone's face, and you are trying to justify it. There is no justification for it. There is nothing noble about that." While Nigel Benn has been with his son every step of the way headed into the action, it is understood that Eubank Sr will not be in attendance to watch his son in action.
