In a candid interview on the Impaulsive podcast, NBA superstar Kevin Durant made it crystal clear that he has no interest in stepping into the ring with controversial YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
When the topic of celebrity boxing matches was brought up, Durant was quick to shut down any notion of him facing off against Paul. “Hell no,” he declared emphatically. “I’m in a combat sport, man. I can’t be too nice.”
The 35-year-old Brooklyn Nets forward acknowledged the physical demands of his profession, stating, “It’s a real combat sport, hand-to-hand. A lot of hand-to-hand action.” He went on to express his concerns about the potential dangers involved, especially with the younger Paul brother’s recent forays into the sport.
“See how he did a couple NBA players? You going to watch his Mike Tyson fight? Of course,” Durant said, referencing Paul’s victories over former NBA players. “But they got headgear on. No, they’re not. You know that saying, ‘Beware of the old man at war,’ ’cause it’s a young man’s game. The people that survive are the ones you got to worry about. Mike Tyson, he’s not a human fighter. He’s a different type of fighter.”
Durant’s comments highlight the stark differences between professional basketball and the world of boxing, particularly when it comes to the potential for serious injury. The two-time NBA champion and 2014 MVP made it clear that he has no intention of jeopardizing his career by stepping into the ring, even against a high-profile opponent like Jake Paul.
