Had you been keeping an eye on the NBA and its legends, you're likely familiar with Shaquille O'Neal and his significant impact. But have you ever pondered how this towering 7'1" figure would have fared in the boxing arena? This very question was brought up by legendary boxer Evander Holyfield on a recent episode of The Big Podcast. Rumors of a $12 million boxing match between Shaquille O'Neal and NFL star Rob Gronkowski have only added more weight to Holyfield's insights about Shaq as a potential wrestler.

Holyfield's Insights on Shaq's Boxing Potential

During the podcast, host Adam Lefkoe posed a thought-provoking question to Evander Holyfield: What kind of super heavyweight might Shaquille O'Neal have become if he had started boxing at an early age? Holyfield pointed to Shaq's remarkable physical stature and emphasized that with the right training, Shaq could have been an extraordinary boxer. "Well, he has the reach, and when one understands the balance that keeps the opponent at bay. You can land effective blows... I actually regarded Riddick Bowe as the finest big man. It doesn't matter if he's short or tall; he can adapt to both long and short fighting styles. This shows that with early gym training and the acquisition of these skills, one can excel or even become the best," Holyfield explained.

The Physical Attributes of Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal's physical attributes were truly remarkable. His towering height and extensive reach gave him a distinct advantage in the boxing ring. His massive frame allowed him to cover a significant amount of space and make powerful strikes. However, it wasn't just his size that mattered; his balance was also a crucial factor. With proper training, Shaq could have utilized his balance to keep his opponents at a distance and launch devastating attacks. This combination of size and balance made him a force to be reckoned with.

Shaq's Involvement in Combat Sports

Although Shaquille O'Neal never pursued boxing as a full-time career, he did have several notable involvements in combat sports. In 2009, he made a guest appearance at a WWE match featuring Cryme Tyme (JTG & Shad Gaspard) and Jeri-Show (Big Show & Chris Jericho). His presence added a new dimension to the event and captured the attention of fans. Another significant moment was his entrance in WrestleMania 32 in 2016. Unexpectedly, he entered the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. After defeating Damian Sandow, he faced off against Big Show. Although both were eventually eliminated, Shaq's entrance became one of the most talked-about events of the evening.

Shaq's Boxing Match with Sugar Shane Mosley

Shaq also put his skills to the test in the boxing ring. In 2010, he fought boxing great Sugar Shane Mosley in a broadcast exhibition match. Given his significant size advantage, one might have expected Shaq to dominate the fight. However, Mosley's superior technique proved to be too much for him to handle. Mosley outboxed the NBA star and emerged victorious, making this a memorable fight that was broadcast as part of a ten-episode series. Recalling the experience, Shaq later sought feedback from Holyfield during The Big Podcast. "Did you see my fight against Sugar Shane? How'd I do?" he asked. Holyfield provided a blunt yet insightful critique, saying, "The key is that you should have kept him at a distance. You two got a bit too close. You should have maintained a better distance, but I thought, he was going to... "

The Rumored Boxing Match with Rob Gronkowski

Coming back to the rumored $12 million boxing match between Shaquille O'Neal and Rob Gronkowski, although no official announcements have been made, the potential for such a match is immense. Both men have a massive fan base, and organizers could reap significant financial rewards from this highly anticipated boxing event. The combination of Shaq's boxing prowess and Gronkowski's NFL star status would create a unique spectacle that fans around the world would be eager to witness.