Jake Paul has insisted Nico Ali Walsh avoided a fight with him after receiving a huge offer.
Ali Walsh returned to the ring and fought through a dislocated shoulder to secure his revenge over Sona Akale overnight.
After the final bell, the grandson of heavyweight legend Muhammad Ali took to the microphone and made a remrkable claim.
He said: “Before this fight I denied a multi-million dollar contract from MVP Promotions to fight Jake Paul and I’m fighting a real fighter tonight.
“So, I’m not part of that circus league of boxing. This is the real league of boxing. This is what I’m going to do.
“I just want everyone to know that I chose the path of boxing. I chose the path of legacy. If I wanted to I could be a millionaire right now.”
Paul issued his response on Twitter shortly afterwards, adding: “Lol exactly. His whole point here works against him.
“I been trying to fight this fraud and now he admitted he ducked me but calling me a circus act.
“Gifted a decision tonight because of his last name. Shake my head.”
The rising star is now 10-1 as a professional, a very similar record to that of Paul who is taking a less traditional route.
Paul was not happy with Ali Walsh’s statement
Any showdown would currently be an issue given Paul weighs in excess of 200lbs, while Ali Walsh campaigns at middleweight.
It is likely that an offer was made to the young star for the July 20 date, which Paul was set to face heavyweight legend Mike Tyson on.
He was then forced to search for a replacement after Tyson withdrew, and he will now face ex-UFC star Mike Perry.
Paul is hopeful of becoming world champion in the sport, which is a very optimistic ambition but a showdown with Ali Walsh could set him on his way.
In the meantime Ali Walsh is continuing to eye a path to the pinnacle of the sport, and even produced a call-out to Teofimo Lopez.
He continued: “Teofimo Lopez said in an interview a few weeks before this fight.
“He disrespected my family saying that that I’m only in boxing because I’m desperate for money and fame.
“And I thought that that was really wrong for someone that I used to look up to say.
“But you know, it is what it is.”
