FIFTY years on from Muhammad Ali’s famous trilogy victory over Joe Frazier, an honorary card took place at the same Araneta Coliseum in Manila. There, Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, could only muster a draw.
Ali Walsh, 11-2-1 (5 KOs), has had a mixed start to his professional career, debuting with plenty of understandable publicity and beginning his career with eight straight victories.
Yet, his performances since have shown his limitations, losing out to Sona Akale and Juan Carlos Guerra Jr. in respective majority and split decision defeats, but avenging that loss to Akale last year.
Defeat to Guerra at the beginning of 2025 has derailed Ali Walsh’s plans, and another rematch will likely be targeted. Although, today, the 25-year-old was tasked with Thailand’s Kittiisak Klinson, 10-2-1 (6 KOs), in a high-profile bout on the golden anniversary of the legendary ‘Thrilla in Manila’.
In such a sentimental fight, you could be forgiven for assuming that the away fighter may not exactly be coming to win, but that was not to be the case here.
Instead, Klinson showed no such mercy and seemed intent on spoiling the party, beginning aggressively and throwing down the gauntlet.
Although, from the third round onwards, Klinson was unable to maintain this approach, feeling the pace and slowing down as a result, whilst Ali Walsh threw the jab consistently and often threatened with uppercuts.
In the final two rounds, Ali Walsh attempted to put his foot down and steer the contest away from his game Bangkok-based opponent, encouraged by the fabled cheers of ‘Ali’ and even offering his version of an Ali shuffle before hearing the final bell.
However, on the cards, the judges ruled a majority draw (75-77, 76-76, 76-76), with Klinson ahead on one of the three scorecards – much to the surprise of Ali Walsh and the fans in attendance.
