“My thing is, why (would) you wait until I’m 53 to challenge me? Why you didn’t challenge me when I was 43? Well, you know what? Yeah, like, I’m 53.” This was Shaquille O’Neal’s response to Dwight Howard’s challenge of a boxing match. But the 4x NBA Champion had a very different tune when asked about facing Rob Gronkowski. The intriguing part is that the 4× Super Bowl champion is even younger than DH-12.

In fact, Shaq even has a handshake deal in place with the boxing legend, Evander Holyfield. After sealing Holyfield’s approval, the Lakers legend had a word of caution for his potential opponent.

“Don’t act like I got no hands. I got hands. I used to beat up and get beat up, so I got hands. But now I am about to be trained by the champ.” Yes, The Big Aristotle once measured his hands, which were 10.25 inches long and 12 inches wide and he also might get trained by none other than his host for the day Holyfield.

Shaquille O’Neal would end that conversation and ask the remaining stakeholders to make it official. “Come on, Netflix. Gronk, who are you going to get?”

Let’s not forget, Rob Gronkowski is no slouch. Even his hand size is equally impressive at 10 3/4. Previously, the former Patriots star also fired some shots at the LSU alum.

“I’m not really a good friend. I’m ready to fight your a–.” Plus, he revealed his sweet prize worth fighting for. “Shaq and Rob, 12 million dollars on an undercard—nothing better.” However, these messages from Gronk were all before Shaquille O’Neal and Evander Holyfield agreed to a deal via The Big Podcast.

“So we’re going to sign the contract now when I fight Gronk. You’re [Holyfield] going to be my coach.” The help of the 4x World Heavyweight champion comes in at the right time for The Big Aristotle. After all, his previous record in the ring is not all impressive.

Will Shaquille O’Neal add a W to his name?

During the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight, the NBA icon shocked the world. “Me and Gronk are going to put together NBA vs NFL.” Over 65 million viewers who tuned in for the fight night potentially heard that statement. And it seems Shaq is putting real thought into this fight after convincing Holyfield to aid him in the battle.

Previously, Shaquille O’Neal has fought against two boxers for the Shaq Vs. reality television series. The first one was against Oscar De La Hoya who won by a unanimous decision. But that didn’t mean the Lakers legend would quit.

He fought again, this time against Shane Mosley, in an exhibition boxing match. However, the result was still the same, no win for the 7 feet 1 phenom.

So, those losses might have triggered the 52-year-old to take outside help, and that too from Evander Holyfield. But will it be helpful, because his opponent is a 6-ft-6 athlete and the difference between the two is nearly two decades? So whose camp are you part of? NFL or the NBA?