Unbeaten 19-year-old junior middleweight Xander Zayas (11-0, 8 KOs) battered Dan Karpency (9-4-1, 4 KOs) for four rounds on Saturday night in the Herring-Stevenson co-feature at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Karpency couldn’t continue after round four.
Middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (2-0, 2 KOs), grandson of ring legend Muhammad Ali, stopped 36-year-old James Westley II (1-1, 0 KOs) in round three. Walsh dropped Westley at the end of round two. Westley’s corner waved the towel after another knockdown in round three. Time was 2:30.
Unbeaten junior middleweight Evan “Yung Holy” Holyfield (8-0, 6 KOs), son of ring legend Evander Holyfield, laid out Charles Stanford (6-4, 3 KOs) with a left/right combination in round two. Time was :30.
Unbeaten U.S. Olympian Troy “The Transformer” Isley (3-0, 2 KOs) scored a first round KO over Nicholi Navarro (2-2, 2 KOs) in a middleweight bout. Time was 2:48.
Junior welterweight journeyman Eric Palmer (13-14-5, 1 KO) surprised previously unbeaten Roddricus Livsey (8-1-1, 5 KOs), winning a six round split decision. Scores were 58-56, 58-56 Palmer, 59-55 Livsey.
In a clash of unbeaten 3-0 featherweight prospects, Haven Brady Jr. (4-0, 3 KOs) scored a four round unanimous decision over Roberto Negrete (3-1, 1 KO). Scores were 40-36 3x.
Junior welterweight Antione Cobb (1-0, 1 KO) needed just 58 seconds to knock out Jerrion Campbell (2-2, 0 KOs). A right hand laid out Campbell.
Lightweight Harley Mederos (2-0, 1 KO) won a four round unanimous decision over Deljerro Revello (0-2). Scores were 40-35 3x.
Obviously he has a lot of work to do defensively, but I like Ali-Walsh’s offense. He has really nice punch selection.
Because Nico is Ali’s grandson:
1) Snap off the jab and not push the jab.
2) Return his left hand to a proper position for minimizing a right counter.
3) Stop hopping to get in punching position or else an opponent will time it to create damage.
4) He must keep his chin tucked while on offense or else he will get knocked out.
5) The kid has pop with the right hand and body shot skills. I want to see him develop his hooks for now. After/If he develops his defense, maybe develop an uppercut a little later.
6) Settle his feet more to develop even more pop with his right hand.
I am not sure if Nico will overcome getting countered by an opponent’s right hand, so Nico better have a great chin and iron will/determination. As for now, I will see how he looks after his 10th fight.
I hope they do not push Nico too fast.
Ali’s grandkid better fight a few and stfu and actually have a resume before talking legacy
ali walsh back to the gym and work on defense the potential is there you got good trainers behind you
It is disgusting that Laila Ali’s name was not mentioned. For those of you who are not aware, Laila & Nico’s mother are sisters. Laila is Nico’s maternal aunt. And truth be told, if allowed, Laila’s son (Curtis Muhammad Conway Jr.) might have more talent than his 1st cousin. I would love to see Curtis Jr box, but that will never happen. Laila will not allow him to box.
Speaketh … FJB.
Fredrick J. Brandon III.
So her son is still a boy? Or is a man? Who has reign over their child about a career. It goes to show that Laila does not comprehend as her father; that Boxiana is a science that when taught and managed wisely shields the practitioner inside combat healthfulness and post career vitality. Her father ignored such wisdom and incurred career long health complications. She must be afraid of her son for her father’s disHonour to his own craft. Too much Ali ”worship.’ Not I. He was a pugilist that ignored Christ wisdom and knowledge. Today, no one can learn from his films.
There is no reason to be prejudiced against Muslims. Not cool. It’s also not cool to talk shit about the greatest Heavyweight Champion of all time. And Laila was a damn good boxer herself. She should give Little Curtis a shot. I think Curtis Jr. would be better than his maternal 1st cousin.
I really wanted to see the Ann Wolfe fight. In truth, I think Wolfe would have won that fight. Probably by TKO or KO. But Laila would have been Wolfe’s toughest opponent. I also agree that Nico needs to work on his defense. Let’s be real. Evan Holyfield would fuck Nico up if they fought, and Evan would get crushed by Xander Zayas. Just keeping it real.
Speaketh … FJB.
Fredrick J. Brandon III
“She must be afraid of her son for her father’s disHonour to his own craft.”
– WTF the this mean, Coach Hilario?
– How did Mohammed Ali “dishonor his own craft”?
I meant Laila must be afraid for her son……
I think Nico needs to work urgently on his defensive skills especially his tendency to be open to a counter cross to the head against his jab-Took too many overhand rights for my comfort from a pedestrian fighter!