Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh embraces warm Filipino crowd in Thrilla in Manila 2

The grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Nico Ali Walsh embraced the warm greetings from the Filipino crowd after a majority draw against Kittisak Kilinson at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the 50th anniversary of Thrilla in Manila.

Ali Walsh expressed his gratitude for the Filipino crowd while also saying that he should’ve won against the Thailand boxer.

“I loved you guys. The crowd was amazing. I thought I put on a show. I was having fun out there. I was having a good time. I thought it was a clear victory. I was so shocked to hear the decision,” Ali Walsh said.

The 24-year-old admitted that he was not expecting the same praise his grandfather got 50 years ago, due to always getting mixed reactions in America.

“No bashing America, but I fight in America and I get booed,” he said. “It was pretty amazing to feel completely welcomed by you guys. Thank you.”

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Nico Ali Walsh pulled out the “Ali Shuffle” in homage to his grandfather @MuhammadAli 🐐#IBAPro11 | LIVE NOW | Watch for FREE on DAZN in select territories ▪️ pic.twitter.com/RQW3vrulXW

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 29, 2025

Muhammad fought Joe Frazier for the third time in 1975 at the same venue, ending his trilogy after Frazier’s corner prevented their fighter from coming out of the final round.

Ali Walsh also gave his gratitude in how Filipinos showed their love to his grandfather and vowed to fight in a high-profile bout in Manila in the future.

“You may probably know by now that a mall here in the Philippines was named after my grandfather,” he said. 

“Hopefully one day, I can get a bigger fight here, put on an incredible performance and maybe get an Ali Mall Part 2 or something,” added Ali Walsh.

Ali Walsh decided to pursue professional boxing in 2021 and has built a respectable 12-2-1 record so far in his career.

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