“Always says take one, I’m taking three.” A few months ago, Shaquille O’Neal revealed a sad secret to the world. Before that, let’s connect two simple facts: First, the NBA is a physical league, with fouls, injuries, and collisions every night. Second, Shaq dominated that league for years and years without a break. So, when we found out that the Lakers legend needed painkillers to keep his body in playing shape, a lot of things began to make sense…

For the seven-footer, it has been a long journey after his retirement. Sure, we’ve seen O’Neal do a bunch of side quests, build multiple businesses, and make a TV appearance practically every week. However, what took the longest was his journey with health. Or, to put it in simple words, all the painkillers had messed up his liver and kidneys. Shaq has been working on his health for the last two years, and we’ve all seen the results, but is he fit enough to do whatever he wants? That’s still up for debate.

Still, in the words of the big fella, “Diesel don’t run from nobody.” Shaq’s latest off-court mission involves a celebrity boxing match with Charlie Mack, Will Smith’s former bodyguard. Although their beef is obviously just lighthearted trolling, it’s scary to think about an actual boxing match taking place. Partly because we don’t know anything about Shaq’s physical condition.

It’s not just us who are shocked and somewhat concerned, however. TMZ caught up with Shaq’s son, Myles O’Neal, who was taken aback by this latest development. “I didn’t know about this.” The young DJ admitted. “He’s old, he’s very old. I don’t know, I gotta look more into this, but hopefully I’ll be there.” 

When the reporter asked him if his father could still throw a punch, he answered with a coy smile on his face. “Yeah, I’ve seen him throw. He’s still pretty agile. I wouldn’t say he should be in a boxing match.” Myles said. “I worry about him every day. We do a lot of random stuff on the road. But I don’t know, a boxing match is kind of crazy.” While we could hear concern in the young man’s voice, there was also an air of exasperation.

Shaq’s antics, regardless of his health, are pretty famous, and honestly? A boxing match isn’t that left field for the former NBA center. It’s not going to be his first tryst with boxing or martial arts, not even close. Big Diesel has done plenty of random things in his life, and learning how to fight has been a prominent part of it. Let’s find out about Shaq’s previous experience in opening a can of whoop!

Shaquille O’Neal’s previous experience in the ring a deciding factor?

Big Shaq is gearing up for a clash of the giants. Mack stands at around 6’6, while the Big Diesel, standing on his money, is probably eight feet tall. But all jokes aside, the Lakers center has an idea of how battles are fought. After all, he has been petitioning for a fight with 7ft 3in strongman Choi Hongman, and an MMA bout with Joe Canseco, but it hasn’t materialised yet.

And it’s not like he’s challenging these professionals because of ego and ego alone. Shaq started training as an MMA fighter in 2000, and he learnt how to use his frame well. However, that did not help him when it came time to back up his words in public.

The Lakers legend entered matches against boxer Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley during his show, Shaq Vs. He lost to both fighters in a unanimous decision, but the fights showed that the big fella can take care of himself within the ring. Since then, the seven-foot-one former athlete has gotten a lot fitter over the last two years.

Considering that his reach, height, and strength have remained virtually the same, Shaq has a huge advantage over most opponents. Charlie Mack, however, not so much. The former bodyguard stands taller than most people in the world and is in a similar weight class to Shaq. It will be interesting to see how this confrontation takes place and how serious the boxing match is actually going to be. What do you think? Can Shaq back up his words and show the world that Diesel doesn’t run from anybody? Or will Mack put the former NBA player in his place? Only time will tell!