Ex-NBA All-Star Deron Williams will step in the ring and fight former NFL running back Frank Gore on December 18th on the Tommy Fury-Jake Paul undercard in Tampa, Florida. This will be the professional boxing debuts for both Williams and Gore.
deron williams vs. frank gore. who u got? pic.twitter.com/LkRTMkkkYg
— buckets (@buckets) November 9, 2021
The fighters are expected to be at 215 pounds and will battle it out for four rounds. Deron Williams has actually been training in MMA for many years and is even a part-owner of a mixed martial arts gym in Dallas. The 37-year-old played for the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets during his NBA career and made three All-Star Teams in the process. He had this to say about his upcoming bout. via ESPN:
“Combat sports have been a part of my life since my youngest days,” Williams said in a statement. “Before I was a basketball player, I was a wrestler. Since 2015, I have had the privilege of owning an MMA gym, and through that I have trained in various martial arts to stay active. Over the last year, I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to translate my training into a professional debut,” Deron Williams said.
As for Frank Gore, he’s been getting calls from NFL teams to come back and play but instead, the all-time rushing leader for the San Francisco 49ers is focusing on his first fight. Gore has trained in the sport of boxing for several years now. He last played football in 2020 with the New York Jets. He’s also buzzing for this opportunity:
“I’m excited to be fighting on this card and can’t wait to show the world what I’ve been working on,” Gore said. “Boxing has me excited, and on Dec. 18 expect fireworks!”
It will be very interesting to see Deron Williams and Frank Gore step in the ring together. But, all the eyes will be on the main card as Paul and Fury go head to head after months of trash talk.
