During a recent appearance on The Big Podcast with Shaq, pound-for-pound boxing sensation Terence Crawford shared a lighthearted moment discussing how he would handle a hypothetical encounter with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.
Crawford, who first met O’Neal at an All-Star basketball game, recounted sizing up the basketball icon. With a significant height difference – Crawford at 5’8″ and O’Neal at 7 feet – the undisputed champion had a humorous take on the situation.
“I probably couldn’t touch his chin. I gotta bring it down to my level,” Crawford joked during the podcast, suggesting an unorthodox approach to dealing with the height disadvantage.
The multi-divisional champion, who made history as the first male boxer in the four-belt era to become undisputed in two different weight classes, acknowledged the challenge of facing someone of O’Neal’s stature, especially considering Shaq’s background in MMA training.
Meanwhile, Crawford’s focus remains on his professional career, with talks of a potential mega-bout against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez gaining momentum. The matchup is reportedly being planned for September in Las Vegas, following Alvarez’s recent signing of a multi-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh.
Alvarez himself has expressed excitement about the potential matchup, stating to ESPN, “Just look at how much he’s accomplished and just look at how much I accomplished. So imagine two fighters with those accomplishments. It’s huge. Huge.”
Reports suggest the bout could potentially launch UFC CEO Dana White’s new boxing promotion, marking a significant moment in the sport’s landscape. Despite past tensions, the possibility of Alvarez competing under White’s banner adds another intriguing layer to this developing story.
