If Shaquille O'Neill had become a boxer?

he would get his ass kick

 

Athleticism is very specific to the sport. Muhammad Ali was considered to have amazing footspeed as a boxer and to be an extremely athletic boxer as well, but his 100 meter dash time would probably get beaten by my fourteen year old cousin. Shaq being a great basketball player doesnt really say much about how athletic he would appear in the ring.

 

If talent from one sport will translate to another is a debate topic for the ages.

Basketball probably relies on pure athletic talent more than the other big sports, as guys can play and be competitive at the NBA level right out of high school. You either have it or you don't. But it is also a sport where contact is kept to a minimum, and height is a major factor. You don't see any crossover basketball players. At least I can't think of any. They generally look ungainly and lanky in other sports, especially ones that require lighting fast movement.

On the other hand, guys have been able to do both football and baseball at a successful professional level. I would put my money on one of these guys having the best chance being able to box. In football you have to be able to take a hit, and you also have to generate that explosive kind of power. Obviously not a lineman, but perhaps a running back or linebacker.

 

Shaq was fighting Delahoya for a few short rounds and he looked like he would pass out from exhaustion.

 

:thumbsup I agree.Also someone mentioned Shaq know how to throw a punchnono Ive seen shaq throw a punch at Barkley and he threw it like a drunk baroom brawler,Barkley ducked it easily and took shaq down. Oscar sure took it easy on him. But in all honesty if he started young hed probably would have been ok against clubfighters and journeyman but hed lose to top guys. I agree that Shaq is probably soft compared to most fighters. Boxings mental makeup is totally diffrent than Basketball. Being a great athlete does not automatically transform to being a great fighter. Tyson had an unmatched combination of speed and power but i saw him shoot baskets once and it was comical,he looked like the most unathletic guy it was :rofl:rofl

 

If he'd been boxing from 8-9 and been practising punches, movement and defense day on day, year on year and trained by a great trainer. I think he could be pretty damn good. Although I'd hope hes better at punching than free throws

You never know to be honest but with boxing if your dedicated enough you can make it. Right now he'd get owned by anyone half decent because he hasnt been learning how to fight all his life like a world class boxer should. Hasnt Shaq been practising MMA for a few years? And dont they have a show where he trys to compete with different sports personalities? Isnt he also a cop? I think he is, great attitude for life Shaq, especially playing cop when he doesnt need to

 

Ill tell you though I was quite impressed watching him spar with Oliver Mcall. Oliver took it to him and Shaq took his lumps but he landed a couple impressive shots. If Mike Grant could get as far as he did, Shaq could too. He was big strong and atheletic, in the late 90's that would have been good enough if he had any heart in the ring.

 

I once asked myself what he'd have accomplished had he began pursuing boxing as a child and later turned pro. He's a very big, athletic guy. It would come down to his ability to absorb punishment, reflexes and of course timing and fluidity.

Not sure, but me thinks right off the cuff he'd fare no worse than Tye Fields.

:good

 

Or Mount Whitaker

 

But the question in that regard would be, would Shaq ever have a great night the way Whitaker did with Maskaev. On that one occasion, Mount looked almost as devastating as a young Foreman, and it goes to show how illusory boxing can be at a given moment in time.

 

Watch this start about the 1:50 mark sparring Mcall

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udxKoqaVHz4[/ame]

 

if ? if ? if my aunt had balls she would be my uncle

 

Unknowable.