NBA great Deron Williams and NFL legend Frank Gore fight news stun fans

The world of celebrity boxing has stunned sports fans again after it was revealed that two former stars were going to lace up the gloves.

Deron Williams Vs Frank Gore was right from left field. Photo: Getty Images

The US sporting world was left perplexed after it was revealed that ex-NBA star Deron Williams and former NFL running back Frank Gore were set to meet in the ring.

Set to fill one of the undercard spots on the Jake Paul-Tommy Fury fight card on December 18, The Athletic’s Sham Charania revealed the news on Saturday morning Australian time.

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Williams, a two-time Olympic gold medallist for the USA and three-time All-Star, played 12 years in the NBA for the Utah Jazz, the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks before finishing his career with Cleveland in 2017.

Gore finished his career last season with the New York Jets, having made a name for himself over 16 years in the NFL, spending a decade with the San Francisco 49ers, before a journeyman finish for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Jets.

He was a five-time Pro Bowler, part of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team, holds the all-time records for most games by a running back at 241 and was the first NFL player with 12 consecutive 1200-yard seasons.

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Gore is linked up with Showtime and looking for a fight, adding that Williams is in the mix of potential opponents but that it’s up to Gore. Five weeks ago, Gore posted a boxing training video on Instagram.

“Who wants to get in the ring with me?” he asked.

Frank Gore in full flight. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Deron Williams won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

But while it appears the fight is good to go, fans were left scratching their heads over the random pairing.

Rapper Chuck Inglish tweeted: “Deron Williams and Frank Gore boxing on a Jake Paul undercard is how I know this b**** is glitching. I don't think a n**** alive asked for that one.”

Fightful.com’s Sean Ross Sapp wrote: “S*** okay then”.

North Carolina news anchor Rob Wu added: “What in the world?!”

Deron Williams is fighting Gore?! That boy either got elite hands or a death wish.

— BurdyLo 🦅 (@burdxkeyz) November 5, 2021

If Deron Williams boxing is anything like his handle then it’ll be quite the fight.

— Evan Turner (@thekidet) November 5, 2021

But Williams might have more fight talent than fans give him credit for, at least according to MMA Fortis owner and head coach Sayif Saud.

“What better partner to have?” Saud said to The Athletic. “This guy’s a three-time All-Star, he’s a two-time gold medallist, and he knows MMA. He’s really good. If he was 25 years old, he could fight at a high level. There’s no doubt about it.”

Who knows, it could be an interesting fight.

Celebrity boxing is experiencing a renaissance with all the streaming and pay-per-view platforms trying to make waves right now. The Paul brothers, Logan and Jake, are YouTube stars and boxers who continually generate buzz with their fights.

Jose Canseco “fought” on Barstool Sports’ “Rough N’ Rowdy,” losing in conspicuous fashion. Other former pro athletes who have competed in celebrity boxing include Shaquille O’Neal, Manute Bol, William “Refrigerator” Perry and Nate Robinson (who got pummeled by Jake Paul).

—with New York Post

Originally published as NBA great Deron Williams and NFL legend Frank Gore fight news stun fans