NBA All-Star to fight on Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury undercard

Jake Paul attending an NBA game in 2018. | Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury just got an interesting addition to the line-up.

Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury is signed for December 18. The fight will take place in Tampa, Fl. and be broadcast on SHOWTIME. That event will see YouTuber Paul attempt to go 5-0 in boxing when taking on his first ever opponent with prior pro boxing experience.

Last time out Paul beat former UFC champion Tyron Woodley by split decision. Before that he bested former Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren by KO. And before that he knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson.

And now it seems Robinson won’t be the last baller to appear on a Jake Paul event. According to basketball insider Shams Charania Deron Williams has agreed to box on the card. Charania reports that former NFL player Frank Gore is a potential opponent for Williams.

NBA-Boxing world crossover, per sources: Former All-Star and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Deron Williams will fight on the Jake Paul/Tommy Fury undercard bout on Dec. 18. Frank Gore — third on the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list — is a potential opponent for Williams.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 5, 2021

Williams played in the NBA between 2005 and 2018 after being drafted third overall in the 2005 draft. Most notably Williams played for the Utah Jazz, who drafted him, and the Brooklyn Nets. Williams earned three All-Star selections over his career and also won gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games.

Williams also has some combat sports bona fides. Williams was a state wrestling champion in middle school. And in 2017 he became part-owner of Fortis MMA in Dallas, TX. Fortis MMA is home to UFC fighters Damon Jackson, Steven Peterson and recent headliner Ryan Spann.

Recently Spann revealed that Williams “whooped” him during wrestling drills. Spann also revealed that Williams was keen on fighting in MMA and at one time fancied a brawl with Greg Hardy. Spann suggested that Williams vs. Jake Paul would be the better match-up, though.

We’ll have to wait and see if Paul decides to pick another opponent who, like Fury, fought on his undercard.