Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh has revealed his shoulder almost tore completely off the bone during a fight he somehow managed to win after attempting to put the dislocated joint back into place himself.
Ali Walsh responded to footage shared by an account on October 13, showing the injury he suffered against Sona Akale during their June 29, 2024 rematch.
“This was my toughest fight, thank you for the edit,” Ali Walsh wrote.
The footage shows Ali Walsh trying to force his left shoulder back into position during the sixth and final round, with Akale continuing to throw punches as the injury left him struggling to defend himself.
Despite the pain and the severity of the dislocation, Ali Walsh refused to quit and made it to the final bell, securing revenge over the first man to beat him as a professional.
Ali Walsh’s Shoulder Injury
Ali Walsh had lost a majority decision to Akale in August 2023, suffering the first defeat of his professional career.
Ten months later, the pair met again in Miami, with Ali Walsh determined to put the result right.
He dropped Akale with a left hook in the third round and appeared on course for victory before suffering the shoulder injury in the final session.
With his left arm severely compromised, Ali Walsh was forced to rely heavily on his right hand while attempting to keep Akale from taking advantage of the situation.
The judges awarded him a unanimous decision by scores of 58-55 and 57-56 twice, giving him the revenge he had been chasing.
Ali Walsh needed medical attention backstage to have his shoulder put back into place after fighting through the injury.
Shoulder Almost Torn Off Bone
The dislocation also involved a torn labrum, leaving Ali Walsh with damage that went far beyond what was visible during the fight.
Responding to a question about the injury on October 14, Ali Walsh revealed how serious the damage had been.
“I needed surgery days after. My shoulder tore almost completely off the bone,” he wrote.
Ali Walsh has also described the ordeal as the worst pain of his life, having continued fighting despite an injury that could have forced an immediate stoppage.
His account confirms the damage was far worse than simply having his shoulder come out of place, with Ali Walsh saying he needed surgery within days of the victory.
Ali Walsh got his revenge over Akale that night, but the damage to his shoulder lasted far longer than the six rounds it took to settle their rivalry.
He has since suffered two further defeats, most recently against Treavon Craycraft at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas, on October 10.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
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