Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali and a professional boxer, voiced a strong opinon about the fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul set for Nov. 15.
“I think Mike Tyson’s just going to embarrass Jake,’’ Ali Walsh, 24, told USA TODAY Sports. “Nothing against Jake. He’s not a technically skilled boxer. He doesn’t have experience or the skill to keep up with someone like Mike Tyson.
“Everyone mentions age, and that’s important.’’
Tyson is 58 and Paul is 27.
“If someone on the street fights Mike Tyson, they have a puncher’s chance,’’ he added. “That’s the beauty of boxing. Everyone has a puncher’s chance.
“That’s what Jake has, because it’s not going to fall back on any skill he has because he lacks that in boxing. So I just feel that Mike Tyson is going to just embarrass him.’’
In June, Ali Walsh (10-1 with five knockouts) said he turned down a multimillion offer to fight Paul.
Ali Walsh shared his opinion about the Tyson-Paul fight Tuesday while talking about the 14-ounce gloves that will be used instead of the standard 10-ounce gloves.
Saying he thought the heavier gloves are a precautionary measure for Tyson – they have more padding, which helps protect the hands when a punch lands, and are considered better for blocking punches – Ali Walsh underscored Tyson will still weather some punches.
“Even when Mike beats Jake, even when he makes him look stupid, Mike is still going to get hit because you can’t swim and not get wet, if you know what I mean,’’ Ali Walsh said.
Follow Josh Peter on social media @joshlpeter11