'My grandpa Muhammad Ali was shocked when I told him about Floyd Mayweather

Muhammad Ali couldn't believe what he was hearing when his grandson revealed the staggering sums Floyd Mayweather Jr was making for his fights.

Known as one of the greatest to grace the ring, Ali enjoyed a remarkable 21-year career in the fight game, securing three heavyweight championships, Olympic gold for Team USA, and facing off against an array of elite competitors during boxing’s golden era. Despite global recognition for his achievements inside the ropes, the earnings Ali garnered while overcoming some of the world's finest fighters seem modest compared to today's incomes.

For instance, Ali reportedly pocketed his largest purse of $8 million for his bout against one-time training mate Larry Holmes in October 1980, while his iconic 1975 Thrilla in Manila clash with Joe Frazier netted him around $6M. While those amounts were groundbreaking at the time, they are minor compared to the colossal figures Mayweather Jr has commanded for many fights - something that Ali himself could hardly fathom.

In an exclusive chat with The Mirror, Ali's grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh, said: "You know, years ago when he was still alive, we were telling him how much Floyd was getting paid for his fights because Floyd was making a lot of money. He was making over 100 million for his fights.

"And my grandpa was sitting in the chair. He's like, 'No, no, no.' 'Oh, yeah. Yeah, bro. He's making 100 million.' And he's like, 'No, no way.' I'm like, 'Yeah, dude, that's where boxing is now.'"

With an unblemished record of 50-0, Mayweather Jr stands among the all-time boxing elites – winning 15 major world titles in five different weight categories ranging from super featherweight to light middleweight. Known as 'Money,' the 48-year-old accumulated a hefty fortune during his time under the bright lights of the ring.

Reports say that Mayweather earned an eye-watering $275M from his 2017 showdown with UFC icon Conor McGregor, considered to be the biggest take-home in boxing history if accurate. His epic 'Fight of the Century' against Manny Pacquiao in 2015, it's said, also netted him $250M.

Floyd Mayweather Jr has made a fortune from boxing(Image: Getty Images)

Mayweather reportedly pocketed $80M after besting Canelo Alvarez back in 2013. Factoring in all his earnings, his estimated net worth as of 2025 sits at around $400M and he's believed to have banked north of $1 billion throughout his storied career.

As Walsh carves his own path in the combat sports arena, the 26-year-old MMA fighter, boasting a 2-0 record, prepares to face Ronnie Gibbs in the Professional Fighters League on June 27. The fighter, training out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, Nevada, has also explained that his grandfather didn't actually influence him to go into prizefighting.

He added: "You know, what's crazy is he didn't inspire me to go into combat sports. He inspires me to live the way he was as a person is how he inspires me the most. You know, he had the platform and he had the fame and he used that platform to help people.

Biaggio Ali Walsh has spoken about his grandfather, Muhammad Ali(Image: (Cooper Neill / PFL))

"You know, he... he's done so much good in his life as a person and he's helped so many people. He never said no to an autograph. He made so many people smile.

"People would hand him their kids, [he would] hug them and kiss them and sign autographs. And he was funny too - he'd do magic tricks on people on the street, have no bodyguards walking, you know, not like... like Floyd today. He just walks around with 10-foot [tall] bodyguards and [he's] just acting like he's better than you.

"Papi was a people's champion, you know? And the people loved him. You know, he didn't have no bodyguards. He walked down the street and just signed autographs, [would] take pictures with you, he loved the people.

Ali Walsh is making a name for himself in mixed martial arts(Image: (Cooper Neill / PFL))

"So it wasn't his combat talent that made me want to go into combat sports. It was who he was as a person that inspired me more. If I ever get to a platform to even get kind of close to that level, it is almost impossible. He inspires me to try to use my platform to be able to do that and help people.

"Choosing the combat route, that was my own choice. I was always a fight fan my whole life, especially boxing before MMA. Like when I was 14, that's when I kind of started watching MMA.

"But the combat route, that was my own choice. The biggest thing he inspires me with is who he was as a person and his faith in God. You know, so that's what inspires me most about him."