Former NBA-All Star Deron Williams won big against former NFL Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore in what transpired to be a thrilling celebrity boxing fight
Read on to know all about Williams’ victory and how he shifted to boxing.
Deron Williams and Frank Gore made their boxing debuts on Saturday night with the former Nba star emerging victorious against the former NFL running back. Williams won the fight via split decision even though Gore was dominant in the second round. The nature of the fight was such that both the fighters went back and forth with some hard-hitting performances, but it was Williams who was declared the winner in the end.
But do you know why Williams made a shift to boxing from basketball? And why he fought Gore? Let’s find out right here:
Know How Did Deron Williams Get Into Boxing?
In a press conference held in November, Williams talked about how he was “always drawn towards combat sports”. Not just that, many people don’t know about the state titles he has won as a youth wrestler in Texas, but his basketball career forced him to put boxing on hold.
But Williams did not give up on his affection for combat sports and soon opened up the Fortis MMA gym in Dallas in 2015. For the last six years he has been training there.
He talked about how he’s always wanted to participate in an MMA fight. “I actually had one right before Covid hit that I was training camp for, and my opponent pulled out. So it was always kind of in the back of my mind, and I’ve stayed in shape and trained… it’s one of these opportunities that comes along, and if I didn’t take it, I feel like I’d be kicking myself for not jumping on that opportunity.”
Though this is something Williams has always aspired to do, his bout against Gore is not and should not be perceived as a first step in a long boxing career, as made clear by the former NBA All-star.
What’s The Reason Behind Williams Fighting Frank Gore?
Williams spoke to Mannix about how he’s always wanted to fight “in some way, shape or form”. Speculations arise about the financial situations of past-their prime athletes whenever they get into boxing or appear all of a sudden on a fight-card. But Williams has rubbished these rumours by specifying how money has never been the problem.
He made more than a whopping $157 million in total NBA salary for 12 years i.e. from 2005-2017, also getting checks from the Nets till 2020, the reason being Brooklyn waiving him in 2015. The stretch provision was used to spread out the remaining money on his contract.
Upon being asked on several occasions why he’s fighting Gore, Williams said, “I’m doing it because I want to. Yeah it’s scary, I’m sure I’ll be nervous but I think it’ll be fun too.
Deron Williams’ Net Worth
As of 2021, Deron Williams’ net worth stands at around $65 million with his annual salary being $19.8 million.