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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal attends the unveiling of the Shaq Courts at the Doolittle Complex donated by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in partnership with the city of Las Vegas on October 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Icy Hot)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal attends the unveiling of the Shaq Courts at the Doolittle Complex donated by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in partnership with the city of Las Vegas on October 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Icy Hot)
Shaquille O’Neal is arguably one of the most entertaining athletes of his generation who is still remembered for his heroics on the court and his charisma off it. A proof of his antics is when he mispronounced the name of his favorite boxer, ‘Deontay Wilder’, in front of 6676 spectators.
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 06: Shaquille O’Neal appears to promote “Toys for Tots” during the AOL BUILD Series at AOL HQ on December 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Donna Ward/Getty Images)
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Shaquille O’Neal and his obsession with boxing
Shaq’s love for boxing is no secret. Among others, he adores the former heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, and is often present during his matches.
Other than just watching, Big Shamrock has a passion for fighting as well. Notably, he has vast martial arts knowledge and has displayed the same in the past.
His memorable fight with The Golden Boy in 2009 entertained the boxing fans thoroughly. A 7 feet heavyweight basketball player taking on Oscar De La Hoya in an exhibition match was a rare sight for sore eyes.
Despite entertaining the boxing fans in the ring, he entertains the boxing fraternity intentionally or unintentionally outside the ring.
The goof-up by Shaq
Shaq was interviewed during an event in Las Vegas, Nevada, during Tyson Fury’s fight against Tom Schwarz. An Interviewer from Top Rank asked O’Neal about his experience in the arena there.
O’Neal replied, “I have to agree. I just want to watch some great boxing and hopefully, the winner will get to face my favorite fighter, Delante Wilder.”
Shaq was having a good time in Las Vegas and was hoping to see some good boxing. The highlight of his statement comes up when he describes the odds of the winner facing his favorite boxer, Deontay Wilder, and mispronounces it as ‘Delante Wilder’.
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The goof-up by O’Neal was witnessed by 6676 people in the arena and also other spectators who were watching the match on their televisions. And say to say, they all had a hearty laugh at the cost of the NBA legend.
Nevertheless, Shaq is an entertaining personality, who often gives his fans a thing or two to cheer about, whether it’s his interview or an entertainment video.
What is your favorite Shaquille O’Neal moment?
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Written by
Edited by
Melroy Fernandes