Shaq Challenges Jim Rome to Boxing Match
Apparently to keep in shape in the off-season, the newest member of the Boston Celtics Shaquille O’Neal is looking to get into the ring against none other than ESPN sports talk show host Jim Rome.
On Wednesday Rome commented on Shaq’s recent addition to the Green in bluntly negative terms, saying: "Normally, I'm on board with what Danny Ainge does, but not this time. I don't like this move."
He added the opinion that Shaquille O’Neal never fulfilled his true potential in the NBA, in part because he never approached the game with “the dedication or discipline of Kobe Bryant.”
Shaq retaliated on his Twitter account, saying: "Jim Rome, I am happy with my career and the legacy that I have left behind, obviously u r not happy wit yur legacy I 4got u have no legacy.”
And then, tired of talk, Shaq threw down what has to be the most important challenge of his career, and certainly of the century.
"Forget the back and forth Jim Rome, I challenge you to a boxing match, live at ESPN studios, show the world you can back up the tuff talk.”
Ever charitable, O’Neal likewise stated that he would donate his earnings in the fight to a charity of Rome’s choosing if he lost. In response, Rome couldn’t resist getting things going with even more verbal sparring, retorting: “For 8 mill, maybe, but I’m not getting my face caved in for the veteran’s minimum. And you’re a little out of my weight class.”
Shaq signed for the veteran’s minimum Wednesday, which is $1.5 million a year.
In even more antics, O’Neal then responded by posting a link on his Twitter to a 1994 video involving Jim Rome and former NFL quarterback Jim Everett.
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