Middleweight Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, has taken a firm stand against industry giants Zuffa Boxing and TKO Group Holdings to protect the legislative legacy of his grandfather.
In an exclusive interview published on June 14, 2026, the 25-year-old fighter detailed his opposition to the proposed “Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act,” which he claims threatens the financial independence and competitive options of modern pugilists.
The original Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act was signed into law in May 2000 to prevent the exploitation of athletes by promoters and to bring transparency to the sport. Ali Walsh argues that the new “Revival Act,” spearheaded by Zuffa Boxing’s Dana White and TKO’s Nick Khan, is designed to consolidate power.
He warns that this shift would mirror the UFC’s business model, creating a monopoly that limits a fighter’s ability to work with independent promoters and sanctioning bodies.
For the Las Vegas-based middleweight, the stakes extend far beyond the ring. He recently participated in a Senate Hearing alongside former world champion and promoter Oscar De La Hoya to voice these concerns.
Ali Walsh expressed frustration that roughly 99% of the boxers he speaks with are unaware that the Ali Act even exists, making them vulnerable to the industry changes being proposed by the new power brokers in the sport.
Defending the Ali Act against industry monopolization
The core of Ali Walsh’s argument is that the proposed changes would strip fighters of their leverage on the open market. By centralizing control, a single entity could effectively dictate rankings and title opportunities, much like the rigid structure seen in mixed martial arts.
This is particularly concerning as major promoters continue to vie for dominance in a shifting landscape where stars like Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney must navigate complex sanctioning and promotional hurdles.
Ali Walsh emphasized during the interview that the Ali Act is “very personal” to him. He believes his grandfather’s greatest achievement was ensuring that future generations of fighters would not be exploited as he and his peers often were.
To support his advocacy, the World Boxing Council (WBC) recently appointed Nico Ali Walsh as an “ambassador for justice,” a title he uses to educate fellow athletes on their rights and the protections the law provides.
Protecting fighter earning power in a centralizing market
Fighters currently benefit from a fragmented market that allows them to negotiate with different networks and promoters. Ali Walsh fears that if Zuffa Boxing and TKO succeed in their legislative push, this flexibility will disappear. “It would limit choices for fighters with other promoters, sanctioning bodies, and their titles,” he noted, adding that it would directly harm their earning power.
The move toward a consolidated system comes at a time of massive negotiations in the heavyweight division, such as the widely discussed Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua bout, which often require cooperation across various promotional lines. Ali Walsh believes that without the Ali Act, the legal architecture that makes these cross-promotional mega-fights possible could be dismantled in favor of a closed-circuit system.
Faith and legacy at the heart of the “Legend Lives On”
Beyond the legal and political fray, Ali Walsh continues to pursue his own career in the middleweight division. He currently holds a professional record of 12 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, including 5 victories by knockout. His last confirmed outing resulted in a victory over Jeremiah Sserwadda at the Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai in December 2025.
A proud Muslim who followed his grandfather into the faith, Ali Walsh says his conduct outside the ring is as important as his performance inside it. “The best way to honor my grandfather would be to be the man that he was and to treat the people the way he did,” he stated.
This philosophy guides his commitment to being an activist for his peers, even as he faces the inevitable pressure of the Ali name.
Global ambitions and future matchups
Ali Walsh remains focused on international growth, having recently attended the 50th anniversary of the “Thrilla in Manila” at the Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines.
He expressed a deep connection to the venue where his grandfather made history, noted that he never thought another member of the family would fight at that same coliseum almost to the date.
He continues to keep a close eye on the broader landscape, including the upcoming WBO/WBA super welterweight clash between Xander Zayas and Jaron Ennis.
While he maintains a busy schedule as a justice ambassador, he is expected to remain active in the coming months. His career span from 2021 to 2025 has seen him rise to a #39 ranking among American middleweights.
As he balances his advocacy for the Ali Act with his training, Ali Walsh is positioning himself as a watchdog for the integrity of the sport, ensuring that the legal protections won decades ago are not surrendered to new corporate interests.
