BIAGGO ALI WALSH is the latest fighter from his legendary bloodline – having given up on his dream of playing in the NFL to pursue MMA.
The 2-1 amateur prospect is the brother to rising 8-0 boxing star Nico and most notably a grandson of Muhammad Ali.
Muhammad Ali with grandson Biaggio Ali Walsh
Biaggio was a talented American football player
He is now signed to the Professional Fighters League
But a fighting career was never initially Biaggo’s goal as he instead planned to go all the way on the American football field.
Biaggio got a scholarship to play in California but the staff he already committed to got fired before he even joined.
And after moving back to Las Vegas in hope of getting another scholarship, he found game time hard to come by.
By this time, Biaggio had started training in MMA and his NFL hopes had been KOd by the 2019 season.
At 21, he decided to focus on MMA and after the coronavirus lockdown gave him nothing else to do but train, a new passion had been discovered.
Biaggio, 24, told SunSport: “When everything shut down, that’s when I started training in my garage.
“My brother was actually helping me out a lot too, he’d hold pads for me and show me certain things he knows with boxing.
“But then when the gyms opened back up that’s when I started training again and that’s pretty much the journey.”
His grandfather is remembered as not only The Greatest in the boxing ring but also a sporting icon worldwide.
Ali’s daughter Laila, who is Biaggio’s aunt, was a two-weight unbeaten world champion while Biaggio’s brother Nico, 22, is currently making strides in the middleweight division.
But despite being surrounded by boxing since birth, it was MMA that intrigued Biaggio the most.
He revealed: “It grabbed my attention since high school.
“I enjoyed MMA, I enjoyed that there are multiple martial arts that can play a part in a fight.
“It’s just something that I enjoyed. Even when I was playing football, I was in the garage practising kicks and stuff. It was just something that I enjoyed to watch.
“Boxing too, I grew up watching boxing, I’ve been around boxing my whole life but there was something about MMA that I just really liked because there was multiple martial arts.
“There are multiple ways to win or lose, there’s an endless amount of possibilities in MMA and that really intrigues me.”
Ali sadly died in 2016 at 74 after battling idiopathic Parkinson disease but left an ever-lasting mark on the sport.
Muhammad Ali sadly died in 2016
Biaggio says Muhammad Ali would have been a fan of MMA
The heavyweight great was a huge admirer of martial arts pioneer Bruce Lee and Biaggio believes his grandfather would have loved modern-day MMA.
He said: “I definitely think he would have been a fan, for sure. Especially around 2015 or 2016 when McGregor was at his peak.
“Conor brought so many people’s eyes to the sport and he was so entertaining to watch, to see him talk and he was all about bringing the views and that was what my grandfather was about.
“I feel like if he would have tuned in around that time, he would really have become a huge fan.”
Biaggio has been signed by the Professional Fighters League, where stars compete in qualifying and knockout stages for a $1million prize and belt, but he will only appear in the prime-time undercard slot as he is not a pro.
Despite the prospect still learning his craft in the amateur lightweight ranks, his surname bears a super-heavy weight.
Biaggio said: “I’ve had that target on my back since high school, I’m definitely prepared for it.
“When people found out, regardless of the sport we’re in, we’re always going to have a target on our back.
Biaggio is currently a 2-1 amateur fighter
Biaggio took up MMA after leaving behind his NFL dreams
“If I was playing baseball it would be, ‘I’m going to strike out Muhammad Ali’s grandson.’
“Obviously, because both me and my brother are in combat sports, it’s a little bit more pressure because my grandfather fought as well.
“But, for me in order to deal with that pressure I just normalise everything, I try to dumb down everything.
“So if it’s a big stage I try to make the stage small, mentally in my head, I like to think, ‘This is just a fight.’
“Whether people are in the audience putting pressure on me or not, I’ve still got to fight this guy in a cage, so I like to normalise everything.”
Biaggio returns on Saturday night in Las Vegas in the PFL’s season opener and will do so with eyes of the fight world on him.
He said: “I’m so beyond grateful to have this platform as an amateur, I’m still a baby in the game.
“I’m 24 years old, I’m an amateur fighter fighting in the PFL on that stage.
“That is ten years of experience, because a lot of pro fighters don’t get the chance to fight on that stage, on ESPN.
“So for me as an amateur so early on in my career to have that kind of stage, it’s priceless experience and I’m super blessed.
“Because five years down the line when I turn pro, I’m going to already be used to it.”
Biaggio returns to the PFL cage on Saturday
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of boxing?
Boxing has many health benefits. Boxing builds strong bones and muscles. It improves coordination, reflexes, and coordination. It can also help strengthen your heart muscle and lungs. The best part about boxing? It doesn’t require special equipment. You can use anything you have lying around the house.
Where should I buy boxing equipment?
There are many websites that sell boxing equipment. Some of these include Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Target, and Sports Authority. You might also consider discount stores such as Ross and TJ Maxx if you are looking for low-cost boxing gear.
If you’re looking for quality boxing gear, then you may want to consider buying from reputable brands like Warrior, Golden Glove, and Premier Boxing Champions.
What can I do to improve my punching?
Boxing is all in the form of punching. To be a good boxer, you need to master the art of punching. Here are some tips to improve your punching form.
- Keep your head straight. While throwing punches, keep your head up.
- Punch from the shoulder. When you throw a punch, try to hit the target from the shoulder instead of the chin.
- Keep your eyes on your feet. Keep your feet still when you are punching.
- Use short punches that are quick. Your body will be tired faster if you are throwing longer punches.
- Don’t forget about defense! Always keep your distance from any punches coming in.
- Use your elbows. Elbows are an effective way to defend yourself.
- Learn to use your legs. Learn to properly use your legs.
- Keep practicing every day. Keep training even if it makes you tired. It takes practice to get good at anything.
- Have fun Enjoy what your doing.
- Keep your lungs open. Being able to breathe properly will make you more powerful and provide you with energy.
- Relax. Don’t worry so much about making mistakes. Just focus on learning new things.
- Be patient. Boxing is not easy. It takes time to master your skills.
- Never stop improving. There is always room for improvement.
- You can listen to music. Listening to music can help you relax during training.
- See videos of professional boxers. You may be inspired to work harder by watching them compete.
- Read books. Reading books can help you better understand boxing techniques.
- Pause. Sometimes, it is helpful to take a break from boxing. Play basketball or soccer outside.
- Find a coach. Having a coach who knows boxing well can help you improve faster.
- Do push-ups. Push-ups help build strength and endurance.
What can I do to improve my fighting defense?
Learn how to fight smart and you can improve your fighting defense. You must know how to defend against attacks from all angles, and you must also know how to counterattack if necessary.
If you don’t know how fight, you won’t be ready for anything. You’ll just get beaten up. But if you do know how to fight, you’ll be ready for whatever comes at you.
Here are some suggestions to help improve your defense.
- You must understand where your opponent’s attacks are coming from. This means you must pay close attention to the body language of your opponent. If he appears nervous, it could indicate that he is about to launch his next attack.
- Keep your cool. Don’t panic. Instead, stay focused and relaxed.
- Block with your arms. You can defend yourself against attacks by blocking with your arms.
- Counterattack. You should immediately counterattack your opponent if they are attacking you.
- Fight dirty. Fighting dirty is another way to defend yourself. You can also respond to an opponent’s kicks by kicking them back.
Statistics
- You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
External Links
amazon.com
- Amazon.com : Ringside Diablo Wrestling Boxing Boots : Clothing, Shoes & Jewel
- Amazon.com – Sanabul Boxing Wraps Elastic 180in Red — Sports & Outdoors
boxandflow.com
How To
How to learn to box for exercise
How to learn how to box for Exercise
Boxing is a sport that improves self confidence and physical fitness. Boxing is the most well-known sport in the world. It requires strength, speed, agility, stamina, coordination, balance, power and accuracy.
Boxing is a great way of getting fit and feeling good about yourself. You’ll find that you enjoy the activity so much that you’ll want to keep doing it.
There are many different types of boxing training programs available. Some require you to train at home while others are done in gyms or health clubs. Online courses allow you to learn from anywhere in the globe.
Make sure you choose a program that meets your needs and is compatible with your lifestyle. The best programs will include exercises that help build muscle mass and flexibility, improve cardiovascular endurance, enhance well-being, as well as increase overall wellbeing.
It is important to consider whether you would prefer a beginner’s or an advanced course. Beginner’s programs usually teach basic techniques and drills such as shadowboxing, sparring, mitt work, and punching combinations. Advanced programs often cover more complex movements, and include a greater variety of exercises.
Beginners’ programs generally last around eight weeks and cost less than $100. These programs don’t give any nutritional, weight loss, or injury prevention advice.
Advanced programs last approximately six months and typically cost $300. These programs include nutrition advice and stretching routines. Some programs include resistance training, such as lifting weights, and aerobic conditioning, such as running.
