Shaquille O’Neal Invests in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship: The Future of Fighting?
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has revealed his plan to invest in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) after attending their KnuckleMania event in Lakeland, Florida last Friday.
Since retiring from professional basketball, O’Neal has proven to be a shrewd businessman with a diverse portfolio, including early investments in tech giants Google and Apple. Known for his larger-than-life personality, Shaq has always been a vocal fan of combat sports. He even stepped into the ring himself, sharing exhibition bouts with legends like Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley as part of his Shaq Vs. television series.
O’Neal is now officially entering the combat sports world, this time as an investor. He has expressed a particular fascination with bare-knuckle boxing, describing it as “the future of fighting.”
“These are the greatest, toughest athletes in the world,” O’Neal told USA Today. “The fact that they’re not using gloves makes them the toughest athletes in the world. I think this is the future of fighting.”
A New Era for BKFC
David Feldman, president and owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, confirmed that a deal with O’Neal is all but finalized.
“Now we’ve got one of the most sought-after sports figures in the entire world,” Feldman said. “Who doesn’t know Shaq? And now he’s going to be part of this company, and it’s going to make a lot of people want to be part of the company.” (Transcribed by Boxing Scene)
Can Shaq Take BKFC to the Next Level?
Bare-knuckle boxing has quickly grown in popularity, with its raw, no-nonsense style appealing to fans looking for a more primal combat experience. Adding Shaquille O’Neal to the mix gives BKFC a major mainstream boost. His involvement brings not just financial clout but also an invaluable platform to expand the organization’s reach globally.
O’Neal’s charisma and business acumen have already paid dividends in other ventures, and his backing could help elevate BKFC into a new era of success. With Shaq’s star power, BKFC may attract a larger audience, more sponsors, and greater legitimacy in the combat sports world.
The Future of BKFC
For fans of combat sports, Shaq’s investment is a sign of the growing credibility of bare-knuckle fighting. With his influence, the sport could soon see even bigger events, higher-caliber athletes, and increased visibility on the global stage.
So, the question remains: Can Shaquille O’Neal help take BKFC to the next level? If history has shown us anything, betting against Shaq is rarely a good idea.