ORLANDO, Fla. — Former Nets point guard Deron Williams is going to make his pro boxing debut on Dec. 18 in Tampa, fighting ex-NFL running back Frank Gore on the Jake Paul-Tommy Fury undercard.
The fight will be on Showtime PPV, and is contracted at 215 pounds and four rounds.
“Combat sports have been a part of my life since my youngest days. Before I was a basketball player, I was a wrestler,” Williams said in a statement. The guard spent 4 ½ seasons with the Nets, in both New Jersey and Brooklyn.
“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. I’m making that happen on December 18 against Frank, one of the physically strongest NFL players in history.”
Williams is a three-time All-Star who was traded to the Nets during the 2010-11 season and stayed through 2014-15, including the move to Barclays Center. The 37-year-old is the part-owner in the Fortis MMA gym in Dallas, where he’ll train for this fight under coach Sayif Saud.
Deron Williams and Frank Gore Getty Images (2)Gore is a former Pro Bowler who played for the 49ers and Jets, finishing his career third all-time in rushing.
LaMarcus Aldridge comes into Wednesday off a 19-point, seven-rebound outing in a losing effort against Chicago. The veteran center has scored in double figures in five of his last six games.
“Like you said, when you lose it really doesn’t matter. But I’m just trying to play my game and try to bring something to the team,” Aldridge said. “I’m just trying to help these guys out there, try to block shots, rebound, just try to score. I think that’s what I do, so just trying to be consistent with it when I’m out there.”
Brooklyn recalled Nic Claxton from their G-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets. But he’s been ruled out for Wednesday’s game with a non-COVID illness.
Kyrie Irving, two-way David Duke Jr. (G-League) and Kessler Edwards (G-League) will also be unavailable. … For Orlando, Michael Carter-Williams (left ankle), Markelle Fultz (left knee), Jonathan Isaac (left knee) and E’Twaun Moore (left knee sprain) are all out.
