MUHAMMAD ALI transcended the sport of boxing due to his larger-than-life personality and his commitment to his principles – The American is widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time, and the original trash talker.
But what would Ali have thought of the modern star of combat sports, Conor McGregor? According to his fighting grandson, he would have loved him.
Ali’s grandson, Baggio Ali-Walsh, recently signed with the MMA promotion PFL (Professional Fighters League) and says his grandfather would have been a big fan of both the sport and Dublin native Conor McGregor.
Speaking to TMZ, the 24-year-old says Ali would have been a big fan of MMA and would have taken to Irishman Conor McGregor for his quick tongue.
Ali-Walsh said: “I think [my grandfather] would’ve loved it, especially when McGregor was in featherweight in UFC, when he fought Jose Aldo, that whole reign, he would’ve loved it, especially Conor’s trash talk.
Ali-Walsh, who affectionally calls the heavyweight great ‘Poppy’, added: “Poppy started the trash talk. He would’ve been super entertained. I think he really would’ve liked the sport.”Edwards ready to defend title against McGregor and slams rival Masvidal
Ali’s wonderfully quick feet coupled with ferocious power made him a fighter that was way before his time.
Ali dominated in the squared circle, but his grandson believes he would have excelled in the octagon.
The Chicago native said: “I think he would’ve done great just because of how strong he was mentally. A lot of it is mental, a lot of fighting is mental and he had the mental part.
“He had the heart and he had the will, so if you have the will, you can definitely get the skill.”
Ali-Walsh holds a record of 1-1 in amateur MMA and he makes his PFL debut on November 25th.
Fittingly, the bout takes place at the famous Maddison Square Garden where his grandfather had many famous nights, including the ‘Fight of the Century’ vs Joe Frazier.
Despite this, Ali-Walsh played down the magnitude of fighting in the same arena as his superstar grandfather.
He said: “I think it’s cool but at the end of the day, a fight’s a fight.”Urgent Irish Christmas travel alert to check passport date BEFORE December
He added: “It’s me, the ref, and another guy who’s trying to hurt me, whether it’s Madison Square Garden or in the back of someone’s barnyard.
“It’s cool that it’s at Madison Square Garden but I don’t care, honestly.”
