Shaq Shuts Down Dwight Howard’s Boxing Challenge with Savage Jab

The gloves are off—figuratively speaking—between NBA legends Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal. After Howard challenged Shaq to a boxing match on November 16, O’Neal wasted no time clapping back on the November 19 episode of Inside the NBA on TNT.

“I only fight people in the top 75,” Shaq quipped, referring to Howard’s omission from the NBA’s 75th anniversary team in 2021. The savage remark sparked a lively debate among O’Neal’s co-hosts, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, who argued that Howard deserved to be included.

“I think he should have been in there,” Barkley said before adding, “And first of all, he’ll whoop your [expletive].”

Shaq didn’t seem fazed, shifting his focus to a different opponent. He revealed he’d rather face NFL legend Rob Gronkowski in the ring, claiming Gronk’s career accomplishments make him a more worthy challenger.

“Gotta have more than one ring to get in the ring with me,” O’Neal wrote on X, throwing shade at Howard’s single NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020. “I’ll stick with a real champion like @RobGronkowski, and you can have the Superman belt, all yours buddy.”

Howard didn’t take the diss lightly, continuing the back-and-forth by revealing that Shaq had blocked him on X. The playful jabs between the two legends highlight their long-standing rivalry, but fans can’t help but wonder if the feud could escalate beyond social media and into a boxing ring.