THE ALI LEGACY

Niko on his relationship with Mike Tyson and why he chose Bob Arum

“MIKE TYSON I’ve always loved,” says Nico Ali Walsh. “We’ve known him for many, many years. He supported me back when no one cared about me. Back in the amateur days, he would go to my fights. He went to my fights, as an amateur, when nobody cared that I was fighting. People now care.

“That was inspiring, because back in those days no one cared – I was a nobody, so to speak. Nowadays I’m getting notoriety, but what matters to me is that Mike Tyson was at a fight when nobody cared. He was at a fight with my family, cheering me on. Definitely [that was out of respect for my grandfather]. He loved my grandfather. He was at my grandfather’s funeral. He had a huge respect for my grandfather, and I think that’s why I’ve always loved him

“[Aunt Laila is] the only other person in the family that took the boxing path, so she understood that people are going to try to knock out an Ali.

“I have [met George Foreman] a few times, but not since I dedicated my life to boxing. He said some things since my pro debut, and he’s been nothing but complimentary. It doesn’t surprise me, because he’s a great guy, and he’s another of those guys – my grandfather loved him, and he loved my grandfather.

“I’m [also] a huge sap for tradition, legacy, and loyalty. Bob Arum’s first promoted fight was my grandfather. He’s known my family for so many years; he’s always been known to be a respectful guy. They remember him as being, just, an outstanding – forget promoter – an outstanding human. So I knew if I was going to box, it would be with him. I wouldn’t want to box under anybody else, and that’s nothing against anybody else. He was with my grandfather; I wanted to be with him, and we made it happen. Thank God for that.”