Camille Naredo

Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, after his bout against Thailand's Kittisak Klinson at the Araneta Coliseum on October 29, 2025. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News

Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, after his bout against Thailand's Kittisak Klinson at the Araneta Coliseum on October 29, 2025.

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BOXING

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761755635529IMG_2215.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, after his bout against Thailand&#x27;s Kittisak Klinson at the Araneta Coliseum on October 29, 2025. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News"/>Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, after his bout against Thailand&#x27;s Kittisak Klinson at the Araneta Coliseum on October 29, 2025. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA – Fifty years after the legendary Muhammad Ali defeated the equally iconic Joe Frazier in Thrilla in Manila, the former&#x27;s grandson settled for a draw on the anniversary of the event on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.Nico Ali Walsh aimed to continue his grandfather&#x27;s legacy when he stepped in the ring to face off with Thailand&#x27;s Kittisak Klinson.At ringside for the bout were President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, former eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee, and former Senator Mar Roxas.Former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and former First Lady Imelda Marcos were also present during the &quot;Thrilla in Manila&quot; between Ali and Frazier, also held at the Big Dome 50 years ago.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/10/29/boxing-eman-bacosa-stays-undefeated-with-unanimous-decision-win-over-nico-salado-1818">READ: Eman Bacosa stays undefeated with unanimous decision win over Nico Salado</a></div>But after eight rounds, Walsh and Klinson battled to a majority draw.One judge scored in favor of Klinson 77-76, while the other two scored it at 76-76.Walsh started out strong in the fight using his jab and left hooks, but he slowed down to allow Klinson land blows off his own.Walsh fed off the energy from the Filipino crowd cheering &quot;Ali,&quot; especially when he brought out his grandfather&#x27;s moves like the Ali shuffle and the rope-a-dope.&quot;I thought it was a clear victory. I&#x27;m happy that it felt like the crowd, the fans, enjoyed the fight. I thought it was a purely dominant performance. I was shocked by the decision,&quot; he told reporters after the match.He may not have gotten the victory in Thrilla in Manila 2, but Walsh said still feels like a winner thanks to the Filipino crowd&#x27;s support.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/16/21/muhammad-alis-grandson-wins-pro-boxing-debut">FROM 2021: Ali&#x27;s legacy continues as grandson wins pro boxing debut</a></div>&quot;I loved you guys. The crowd was amazing. I thought I put on a show. I was having fun out there. I was having a good time and I thought it was a clear victory. I was so shocked to hear the decision,&quot; Walsh said.&quot;Certain parts of America, my grandfather was hated at one point in time. But in certain parts of America, it feels like people hate on me just because of my grandfather. So, I get booed in a lot of parts of America. It was pretty amazing to feel welcomed by you guys,&quot; he said.To have fought in the same venue where his grandfather made history was &quot;amazing,&quot; said Walsh. &quot;It was amazing and the people made it special. It&#x27;s not just the walls and the place. It&#x27;s not just here. It&#x27;s not just the arena that makes it special. Not to sound corny or anything, but seriously, it&#x27;s the people,&quot; he said.&quot;If I was in an empty stadium, this wouldn&#x27;t be as special. It&#x27;s the people chanting Ali now the same way they were 50 years ago. That&#x27;s what makes it special.&quot; Walsh added.Walsh&#x27;s trainer said he will take a month off after the match and enjoy the Philippines with his family before heading back to the ring.&quot;The biggest thing I want to do is just to eat. I just want to get back to business. It&#x27;s going to take about a month off. I&#x27;ll be back in the ring by the end of the year,&quot; he said.After getting a lot of love from the Filipino crowd, Walsh hopes to come back and hopefully get a victory in his return.&quot;I hope that one day I can get a bigger fight here. I don&#x27;t know what fight it was with my grandfather when he fought Frazier, I don&#x27;t know how many fights he had at that time. Hopefully, when I&#x27;m at that time, I can put on a better show here. Get an incredible knockout or incredible performance. Get an Ali Mall part 2 or something,&quot; he said.Walsh now has an 11-2-1 win-loss-draw slate, while Klinson is at 10-2-1.

Fifty years after the legendary Muhammad Ali defeated the equally iconic Joe Frazier in Thrilla in Manila, the former's grandson settled for a draw on the anniversary of the event on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Fifty years after the legendary Muhammad Ali defeated the equally iconic Joe Frazier in Thrilla in Manila, the former's grandson settled for a draw on the anniversary of the event on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Boxing: Ali's grandson battles Thai foe to majority draw in 'Thrilla in Manila 2'

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Boxing: Ali's grandson battles Thai foe to majority draw in 'Thrilla in Manila 2'

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 30, 2025 01:02 AM PHT

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boxing

Thrilla in Manila 2

Nico Ali Walsh

Muhammad Ali

Kittisak Klinson

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