After Jake Paul’s flashy bout with Mike Tyson, we have some more inspired action in coming. This time, it is NFL superstar Rob Gronkowski throwing his hat in the ring, challenging none other than basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq isn’t backing down either. Instead, he’s doubling down, claiming he’s got the skills to take Gronk down—and with $12 million on the line, it’s personal.

On a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, boxing legend Evander Holyfield joined Shaq and Adam Lefkoe in a conversation. Naturally, the conversation turned to the potential showdown. And interestingly, Shaq asked Holyfield to train him. And while Holyfield did agree, Shaq revealed “well one thing though I can’t run”. Why? Apparently because of his “hips”.

But Shaq is more than positive. “So we’re going to sign the contract now when I fight Gronk. You’re [Holyfield] going to be my coach,” Shaq declared, sealing the deal with a handshake.

Having retired in 2014, Holyfield is ranked as the 77th best puncher in history according to The Ring and was named the 22nd top fighter of the past 80 years in 2002. Not only that, he won bronze in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in Light heavyweight.

So Gronk has to do more now to beat him. Because the 4x NBA champ isn’t new to throwing punches either. He’s gone toe-to-toe with boxing legends Sugar Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya before. Sure, he lost both times, but not without putting up a fight that pushed both pros to the ropes.

Rightly, Shaq even warned Gronk, saying, “Gronk is going down. I’m going to make sure, because I’m going to show you how to get him down.”

The 4x champion warms his opponent not to confuse his niceness for weakness. With some experience in boxing and now Holyfield by his side, Shaq is confident. “Come on, Netflix. Gronk, who are you going to get?” he further added.

But how it all started?

Gronk and Shaq’s potential fight

It all started with a chill night at the Paul vs. Tyson fight, where Rob Gronkowski had a memorable encounter with Shaquille O’Neal. “Fight night was legit, man,” Gronk reminisced. “We’re just chilling, and I don’t know who else is around. I sit down, and Shaq’s right next to me. I’m like, ‘Oh, alright, this is going to be a great night.’”

But friendships only go so far when there’s a challenge on the table. Shaq spilled the beans, saying, “I just thought of it because me and Gronk are good friends, and he challenged me to a fight.” Gronk, however, is all in for breaking the bond. “I’m not really a good friend. I’m ready to fight your a–,” he declared with a grin. He even called on Netflix to make it happen.

And it’s not just talk; Gronk is thinking big. He made it clear he wouldn’t step into the ring for anything less than a hefty paycheck. “At least 12 million dollars minimum,” he said confidently. Laughing, he floated the idea of being on a Jake Paul undercard: “Shaq and Rob, 12 million dollars on an undercard—nothing better.”

Whether the fight happens or not, one thing is certain—Gronk and Shaq have mastered the art of hyping up a crowd.