An interesting crossover bout is set for Dec. 18.
Three-time NBA all-star Deron Williams and former NFL running back Frank Gore are ready to step into the boxing ring. Showtime Sports announced on Tuesday that Williams and Gore are set to compete on the undercard of the Showtime pay-per-view event headlined by Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury.
The bout will officially be four rounds of heavyweight action with a contracted weight limit of 215 pounds.
“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 release. “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 Dec. 18 against Frank, one of the physically strongest NFL players in history.”
Williams was the third overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 2005 NBA draft. He would play for the Jazz until 2011 when he was traded to the New Jersey Nets before finishing his career up with the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers. During his career, Williams was an All Star three times, twice named to the All-NBA second team and also played for Team USA in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, winning two gold medals in the process.
Williams also a stake of Fortis MMA in Dallas, Texas, where he regularly trains. He will have head coach Sayif Saud in his corner for the fight.
Gore is the NFL’s third all-time leading rusher with 16,000 career yards. He also holds the record for most games played by a running back. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Gore was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s. After played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2005 to 2014, Gore bounced from the Indianapolis Colts to the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets before ending up as a free agent during the current season.
“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!”
Paul vs. Fury will be held in Tampa, Florida as the social media star faces the bother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
