Undoubtedly, many refer to the 1970s as the golden era of heavyweight boxing. They assigned a reason for it. All the big names of the time never backed off when it was time to square up against each other. Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Ken Norton, and many more never hesitated to face off.

So is it the same nowadays as it was then? In an exclusive chat with Kenny Ducey for EssentiallySports, Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Rasheda Ali, and grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, spoke in detail about how the landscape of boxing had transitioned over the years. She upholds a remarkable legacy. Hence, one might naturally presume that ‘The Greatest’ played a pivotal role in sparking Rasheda Ali’s interest in boxing from a young age. Interestingly, that doesn’t appear to be the case. During the interview, she spilled the beans on the boxer, who served as the catalyst for her profound fascination with sport.

Muhammad Ali’s daughter shares her views on boxing

It turned out to be one of the greatest admirers of her father. Rasheda Ali revealed that she steered a course towards boxing from the time she started watching ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. She said, “Well, right, I’am exclusively watching Nico and Biaggio, but I really started really getting into boxing with Mike Tyson. So I started watching him because he was so incredible and dynamic.”

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So she keenly follows the burgeoning careers of her sons, Nico Ali and Biaggio Ali. Hence, she could explain to Kenny Ducey how her involvement with combat sports, especially boxing, progressed. She addressed Ducey’s point about how boxing had evolved over the years. She replied that, despite being one of the oldest sports, boxing has yet to lose any of its radiance.

For her, a boxer has to be both entertaining as well as tough. But on a poignant note, she highlighted how she missed the great boxers of her father’s era. One of the reasons is that they never avoided each other in the ring.

In comparison, some of the contemporary boxers would rather not fight a specific boxer. They would do so to keep his record spotless. She said, “And I think you know I missed the… you know the my dad’s… and the Frazier’s… those guys, those were to me; they were like Spartans. So I miss those kind of fighters who never said no to a tough fight. So nowadays… some boxers feel like they oh want to keep their record clean; they will say no to certain opponents….”

She did, however, sound optimistic about the future of boxing during the interview with ES Fancast. Earlier, Rasheda Ali added that she was a bit particular when it came to picking up favorite boxers. Calling herself a big-time Manny Pacquiao fan, she also mentioned Canelo Alvarez, Tyson Fury, and Deontay Wilder.

“He Is Strong and Wise Like His Grandfather [Muhammad Ali]”: Fans Join Mother Rasheda Ali in Consoling Nico Ali Walsh Following First Career Loss

Do you agree with what Rasheda Ali said about old-school boxers? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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