Shaquille O’Neal agrees to celebrity boxing match after public callout originally appeared on The Sporting News

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neil has agreed to take part in a celebrity boxing match.

The 53-year-old former Los Angeles Lakers star has agreed to fight Charlie Mack, aka Charles Alston, after he was challenged to step into the ring to settle their long-standing beef.

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“Hey listen,” Mack said in a video shared to X by Celebrity Boxing on Monday. “I’m making an open call to Shaquille O’Neal.”

Mack, a longstanding icon in the Philadelphia music and culture scene, said his beef with the NBA Hall of Famer began in Dallas many years ago.

“We were in Dallas doing an autograph signing, and he came and tried to jump in front of the line,” Mack said. “I chopped him in his neck so he could get back.

“So listen, I’m giving you an opportunity to kind of settle the difference. Me and you, baby, super heavyweight. … I’m calling you ‘Sha-knocked out.’ That’s what you’re gonna be,” he added.

Shaq wasted no time responding to Mack’s offer, replying in the comments section, “I accept let’d do it.”

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He then took to Instagram to submit his official response to Mack’s challenge.

In a candid video shared on his social media account, Shaq said, “Hey Celebrity Boxing and Charlie Mack, I accept.”

“You chopped me in my neck, Charlie Mack, that’s why I talk so funny. Payback time,” Shaq added, while laughing into the camera. “You name the time and place, I’ll be there. Diesel don’t run from nobody. … You better check my police record, Charlie Mack.”

MORE: Shaquille O’Neal gets honest about painkiller addiction

Fans predict who will win Shaquille O’Neal’s boxing match

Fans quickly flooded the comments section, taking bets that this will be Shaq’s first win in the ring.

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“Shaq by knockout,” one person commented, with a goat emoji.

“I got money on Shaq,” a second person wrote.

“Don’t hurt him big guy,” another person said.

“I got my $ on Shaq,” someone else added.

No details on when or where the fight will take place have been released yet.

This will not be the former Lakers star’s first time stepping into the ring. He previously fought Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley. The 7-foot-1 NBA legend lost both matches.

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