Muhammad Ali’s grandson believes he answered his critics by scoring a win with a dislocated shoulder.
Nico Ali Walsh fought against Sona Akala a few weeks ago, avenging his only career defeat.
In the process he suffered a debilitating injury, but nevertheless overcame the hindrance to record a victory.
Given his family heritage, Ali Walsh often draws criticism based on accusations of nepotism. Speaking to Sky Sports , the fighter claimed he showed his own quality.
"I just must have been a very good actor because everybody's talking about the last round but it started in the fifth, maybe 30 or 40 seconds in," he said of the injury.
"Then he just started whaling on my face. I couldn't bring my hand up to block. I was just confused because that was the first time that's ever happened to me before.
"It just felt paralysed and I just started eating shots.
"There was so much going on in my mind," he continued. "It felt like having a nightmare."
He added: "I've always known I have the heart that I do. People have always looked past me because of my grandfather.
"The critics, which is the majority of the public, they think: 'Oh he's an Ali, so he probably doesn't have the heart of his grandfather, he probably doesn't have the heart of a fighter'.
"It sucks that I've got to prove to critics what I already knew I had. But I think that should shut them up."
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