Frank Gore and Deron Williams Set to Have Boxing Match

Frank Gore
Frank Gore. Photo by John Mersits/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

The upcoming boxing match between YouTuber Jake Paul and boxer/TV personality Tommy Fury will have a star-studded undercard. According to the announcement made by Most Valuable Promotions on Tuesday, one of the warm-up bouts will see NFL running back Frank Gore and retired NBA point guard Deron Williams meeting in the ring.

The fight between Gore and Williams will take place on December 18th in Tampa. It will be contested at a 215-pound contractual limit and will have four rounds. Both fighters are making their boxing debuts.

While the news may seem surprising, both Gore and Williams have some experience with combat sports and are serious about the bout. According to ESPN, Gore is a boxing enthusiast and has been training the sport for years now. He even decided to pass on the opportunities to play professional football this season so he could pursue his first boxing fight.

Williams, on the other hand, is well familiar with mixed martial arts and is co-owner of an MMA gym in Dallas.

Frank Gore played 16 years in the NFL, suiting up for the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts among other teams. He last played professional football in 2020, when he made 14 starts for the New York Jets and rushed for 653 yards and two touchdowns. The 38-year-old, who has five Pro Bowl nods, is still not officially retired.

Deron Williams ended his professional career in NBA in 2017 after stints with the Utah Jazz, the Brooklyn Nets, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He made three All-Star stints during his career.