UFC Hall of Famer and former light heavyweight champion Chuck “The Ice Man” Liddell recently spoke with fight analyst Jimmy Smith on his SiriusXM show, Unlocking the Cage With Jimmy Smith.
Smith asked The Ice Man if there were any celebrities he’d be open to box. Liddell is currently retired from combat sports, last fighting an MMA match in 2018. Smith then suggested four-time NBA champion turned television personality Shaquille O’Neal. Liddell welcomed the prospect of boxing Shaq, who Business Insider lists at 7’1 tall.
GettyChuck Liddell appears before the 17th annual Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on June 27, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Yeah, Shaq would be a fun one, change it up and try to reach Shaq,” Liddell answered, transcribed via Middle Easy. ”
Liddell continued, explaining that he’s had a lot of experience in the gym with very tall athletes. But even so, every time the former UFC light heavyweight champion sees Shaq, The Ice Man is reminded of how big he is.
“You gotta remember, one of my sparring partners for a long time was 6’10″,” Liddell continued. “So it’s not big, but I trained with Gan McGee for forever, and my brother is 6’4, 6’5, 300lb. But standing next to Shaq, Shaq’s a big man… I’m always around big guys, but Shaq’s one of those few guys you go up to and go ‘Damn, Shaq’s big.’”
Smith then asked if Liddell would take the match with Shaq if he received an offer. “Oh, for sure. That would be a fun one,” Liddell answered.
According to Liddell, he’d also be interested in boxing another NBA superstar in Charles Barkley. “Maybe Charles Barkley,” Liddell said. “He challenged me to come back and beat him in a golf tournament again. I beat him in a Tahoe tournament. I was second to last, but I beat him. I pulled it out in the last hole and beat Charles Barkley.”
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Liddell Also Teased His Interest in Boxing Jake Paul
Social media superstar Jake Paul has a boxing record of 3-0 and Liddell recently tweeted that he’s “ready anytime” to test the YouTuber.
Responding on May 9, 2021, to a Twitter user’s plea for a fighter to “shut Jake Paul’s mouth,” The Ice Man confirmed his willingness to take on “The Problem Child” in a boxing ring.
“The Ice Man” wrote, “I’m ready anytime for that clown.”
Paul is currently scheduled to box former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on August 28, 2021, for Showtime Boxing.
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Liddell Said It Wouldn’t ‘Make Sense’ for Paul to Box Him
TMZ caught up with The Ice Man a few weeks after Liddell posted the tweet about boxing Paul. Liddell said that Paul wouldn’t be “good enough” to step inside the ring with him.
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Ex-UFC Champion Open to Boxing NBA’s Shaq: ‘For Sure’