On the 5th of November, Dmitry Bivol will face Gilbert Ramirez inside the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. In what will be his 21st pro fight, he will defend his WBA title yet another time. Notably, Bivol last fought in May this year when he went up against middle-weight champion Canelo Alvarez in their title bout.
Now, as he prepares for his forthcoming showdown, he has already arrived in Abu Dhabi. In fact, he recently met former NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal in there.
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Journalist Michael Benson took to Twitter and reported the news of their meeting. He shared a photo featuring the two where they faced each other in a friendly stare-down. In front of the 7″1′ tall and 325lbs heavy Shaquille O’Neal, the 6″0′ tall and only 175lbs heavy Dmitry Bivol looked quite small.
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Following this tweet, fans replied to Benson with several humorous remarks. While doing so, they made references to Canelo Alvarez and even ‘The Gypsy King’. Here are some of the reactions for your brief read.
Fans react to Dmitry Bivol meeting former NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal
When Canelo Alvarez fought Dmitry Bivol, the Mexican fighter fell significantly short. He vividly showed his disadvantages fighting at the 175lbs weight division. Even though Saul dared, Bivol won the fight.
Referring to Bivol’s fight with Alvarez, a fan wrote, “Now Bivol knows how Canelo felt”.
Now Bivol knows how Canelo felt.
— Smallzy (@LiamSmall20) October 5, 2022
While one wrote about Bivol fighting Alvarez, another commented by saying, “it’s impossible to meet a boxer and not fake box them.”
it’s impossible to meet a boxer and not fake box them
— Maina Murumba (@murumba_) October 6, 2022
Another fan said, “Shaq at an athletic 7’2 and 320lbs could have been an incredible heavyweight.”. There is no doubt about Shaq’s ability to hoop, but could he perform in the ring? The real question, however, is, could O’Neal perform in the ring with the same intensity he ran around on the basketball court?
Shaq at an athletic 7’2 and 320lbs could have been an incredible heavyweight
— Kieran (@Kieran_187) October 5, 2022
Tyson Fury is preparing to fight on December 3rd. Speaking of the same, a fan wrote, “Calling it now Shaq vs Tyson fury next 😭😂.”
Calling it now Shaq vs Tyson fury next 😭😂
— Sad😅 (@Sad_leads) October 5, 2022
Meanwhile, someone asked, “Is Shaq going to fight at 175?”
Is Shaq going to fight at 175?
— Helvering Davis (@low_tex) October 6, 2022
Another added, “Bivol looks so short compared to shaq.”
Bivol looks so short compared to shaq
— Bhavik Upadhyaya (@BhavikUpadhya14) October 5, 2022
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And finally, one claimed that “Shaq would knock fury [Fury] out.”
Shaq would knock fury out
— Phone Jack (@PhoneJack9) October 5, 2022
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What do you think? Does Shaq stand a chance against ‘The Gypsy King? If Shaq did take up boxing, would he have been a successful boxer in the ring? Share your thoughts in the comments below.