Remember when Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, shocked the world by defeating the legendary Mike Tyson? With 72,300 fans packed into AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and another 65 million watching online, the event became a global spectacle. Though Tyson showed glimpses of his former dominance, the 58-year-old couldn’t match the speed and power of 28-year-old Paul. That bout appears to have been Tyson’s final appearance in the ring. But in a potential twist of fate, another name from boxing royalty—Nico Ali Walsh—may be stepping in next. Despite previously rejecting a lucrative fight offer from Paul, it now seems possible that Walsh will meet him in the ring. What changed?
Jake Paul sent him contract maybe 2 years ago but Nico didn’t accept it cuz he wanted to fight top ranked fighters, after PaulTyson,Nico said he would avenge Tyson,maybe thats next,promotion would do great for netflix cuz Niko is Ali’s grandson he is 24 and he is a real boxer, pic.twitter.com/dfkBlioYiF
— Sam (@SamuelkoXd) April 2, 2025
Initially, Walsh had strong reasons for declining the match. He publicly criticized Paul’s credibility in the sport, saying, “I’m fighting for my bloodline and he’s fighting for headlines.” The 10-2 boxer emphasized that turning down the offer wasn’t difficult for him, even with the substantial paycheck involved. “I’m an Ali,” he declared, “and I don’t believe I should be playing in the mud with the likes of Jake Paul.” For Walsh, the legacy of his grandfather Muhammad Ali outweighed any monetary incentive.
However, recent developments hint at a change of heart. Jake Paul recently posted a cryptic Instagram reel with the caption, “Something’s coming,” while Nico Ali Walsh followed up with an Instagram story that read: “Next fight is May 10th!! I’ll be dropping the fight poster soon.” These social media hints have sparked speculation of a potential matchup between the two.
Rumors picked up steam as various boxing insiders chimed in. A post from “Top Boxing News” on X claimed that Paul and Walsh could fight by the end of May and that an official announcement might be imminent. Another boxing personality, @SamuelkoXd, added context, explaining that Walsh had been offered a contract two years ago but declined because he preferred fighting top-ranked opponents. Now, after Tyson’s loss to Paul, Walsh may feel compelled to step in—not just for pride, but for revenge. As the grandson of Muhammad Ali, Walsh carries the weight of a legacy, and with Paul’s rise in popularity following his win over Tyson, the stage may be set for a highly marketable fight.
The promotional angle makes sense as well. Netflix, which had broadcast Paul’s fight with Tyson, would likely be eager to capitalize on the prospect of Ali’s grandson taking on Paul. At 24 years old, Walsh is a legitimate boxer, and the emotional weight behind the fight could make for a compelling narrative.
Adding fuel to the fire, several Instagram posts and comments surfaced around the same time. These included a training photo of Walsh with a caption teasing a fight announcement, a screenshot of Paul commenting “Almost time to announce the next one,” and even an unofficial fight poster. The timing of both fighters dropping teasers within the same week has led fans to believe that a clash may be imminent.
There’s also a powerful backstory that ties this potential fight to boxing history. Back in the 1980s, Mike Tyson avenged Muhammad Ali’s loss to Larry Holmes. After Holmes defeated Ali, Tyson’s mentor Cus D’Amato made a vow that Tyson, then just 14, would one day take down Holmes. And he did—Tyson beat Holmes by TKO, delivering on that promise with Ali present in the ring.
Walsh recently shared a tribute to that very story on Instagram. The post featured Tyson recounting the emotional aftermath of Ali’s defeat and the vow that followed. Tyson recalled how D’Amato passionately defended Ali and promised revenge through his young protégé. Ali later told Tyson directly, “Get him for me,” and Tyson delivered. That emotional connection appears to have deeply inspired Walsh, who captioned the post, “Love you Mike,” hinting at his own motivation to follow a similar path.
If Tyson asked him to fight Paul, Walsh would likely take up the challenge without hesitation. Just as Tyson once stood up for Ali, now Walsh may be stepping forward for Tyson—and by extension, for his family’s legacy.
The only question that remains: is this all just speculation, or are we on the verge of seeing another epic generational clash in the boxing ring? Fans around the world are watching closely.