Former NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal aka Shaq has shed praise over Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and the company founder has even hinted at the fifteen times All-Star becoming an investor of the bare knuckle boxing promotion in future.
Four time NBA champion Shaq has become a recurring face in the world of combat sports, from the squared circle to the octagon. From appearing as UFC’s cageside fixtures to donning the sparring gloves against Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley, the former center has never parted ways with his passion outside of basketball.
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BKFC founder hints Shaq as a future investor of the company
The towering 7 feet 1 inch NBA MVP of 2000 recently made an appearance at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship aka BKFC 16 ‘KnuckleMania’ this Friday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida, and opened up about the new positives he is seeing in bare knuckle boxing.
“These are the greatest, toughest athletes in the world,’’ Shaq USA Today from his BFKC 16 ringside seat, “the fact that they’re not using gloves makes them the toughest athletes in the world.”
“I think this is the future of fighting,’’ the 48 year old added.
A former Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat legend, Shaq is one of the most famous and recognizable sportspersons around the world, and BKFC founder David Feldman himself sees a future partnership with the NBA Hall of Famer.
“Now we’ve got one of the most sought-after sports figures in the entire world,’’ Feldman stated, “Who doesn’t know Shaq? And now he’s going to be part of this company and it’s going to make a lot for people want to be part of the company.’’ (H/T BoxingScene)
BKFC 16 marked the bare knuckle boxing debut of former UFC flyweight contender Paige VanZant. Serving as the main card of the event, VanZant competed in the featherweight 57 kg category against Britain Hart and was defeated via majority decision.
The event also had former UFC fighter Chris Leben making an appearance in the undercard against Quentin Henry, where he earned a first-round KO to bid adieu to his combat sports career.
