Muhammad Ali's grandson Nico Ali Walsh wins pro boxing debut

Nico Ali Walsh made a successful pro debut winning in the first round and then paying homage to his grandfather, Muhammad Ali.

Wearing trunks made for his grandfather, Ali Walsh knocked down his outmatched opponent midway through the first round before the middleweight fight was finally stopped at 1:49 of the round with Ali Walsh landing unanswered punches to the head.

"This lived up completely to my expectations," he said post-fight.

"It is very emotional, it has been an emotional journey these last couple of months. Obviously my grandfather, I've been thinking about him, I miss him.

"Thank you to Jordan Weeks and his people. Tough, tough kid. I think me and him made a bit of history tonight.

"It seems like a lot of pressure but to me it is just my grandfather. To everyone else he was the greatest fighter that ever lived, maybe the greatest person but to me he is the greatest grandfather.

The fight between Ali Walsh, a 21-year-old college student, and Jordan Weeks was notable not because of anything the two had done in the ring, but because Ali Walsh was trying to follow in his grandfather's large footsteps into boxing.

Still, Ali Walsh looked competent for a relative novice and displayed good hand speed and power against Weeks, an MMA fighter who had been stopped in his last boxing match.

Ali Walsh celebrated with family members in the ring afterward along with 89-year-old promoter Bob Arum, who promoted 27 of Muhammad Ali's fights.

"I'm a believer in genes," Arum said.

Ali Walsh said the white trunks with black lining were made for his grandfather, who gave them to him.

"I'm never wearing these trunks again," he said.