Boxing fever is taking over, and it seems everyone wants a piece of the action. From MMA fighters to wrestlers and even internet stars, stepping into the ring has become the ultimate crossover move. The buzz around Jake Paul‘s recent fight with boxing legend Mike Tyson has even caught the attention of basketball great Shaquille O’Neal, who’s now toying with the idea of trading dunks for jabs.
Shaq, one of the most dominant players in NBA history, hinted at the possibility of a boxing match during a recent appearance. While he’s no stranger to the spotlight-or the ropes, thanks to past stints with WWE and AEW-this would mark an entirely different challenge for the 7-foot-1 legend.
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The spark for this idea came after Shaq witnessed Mike Tyson’s much-anticipated return to the ring after nearly 20 years. During a broadcast at AT&T Stadium, where Shaq sat alongside NFL star Rob Gronkowski, he casually floated the idea of an amateur boxing match. Enter Dwight Howard, a fellow NBA superstar and one of Shaq’s most notable rivals, who wasted no time responding with a challenge.
Dwight Howard answers the call
Howard, nicknamed Superman during his basketball days-just like Shaq-was quick to take to social media after hearing Shaq’s comments. On X (formerly Twitter), Howard threw down the gauntlet, posting:
“Shaq, what’s up? Let’s make some bread (a deal).”
Shaq, however, wasn’t about to back down or lose his sharp tongue. His response was both witty and cutting:
“You need more than one ring to step in the ring with me. I’ll stick with a real champion like Rob Gronkowski. You can have the Superman belt-it’s all yours, buddy.”
But Shaq wasn’t done. He added another stipulation: Howard would need to make it into the Basketball Hall of Fame before a fight could even be considered. That’s no easy task, despite Howard’s status as a former No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and a 2020 NBA champion with the Lakers.
For now, Shaq seems content keeping his punches verbal, but the idea of a Shaq vs. Dwight boxing match is already a tantalizing prospect for fans. Could these two NBA giants square off in the ring? Only time will tell.
