No, not high-top sneakers. Boxing gloves.
O’Neal, 53, has accepted a celebrity fight with Charles “Charlie Mack’’ Alston, a former bodyguard for actor Will Smith and a figure in the hip hop industry who has indicated he is in his 50s.
In an Instagram video challenging O’Neal to fight, Alston this week explained the two men have a beef dating back to an encounter years ago.
“We were in Dallas doing an autograph signing, and (O’Neal) came and tried to jump in front of the line,” Mack said. “I chopped him in his neck so he could get back.’’ During the interview, Alston sat next to Damon Feldman, CEO of Officially Celebrity Boxing
O’Neal accepted the fight in the comments section of Alston’s video then posted his own video on Instagram.
“Hey celebrity boxing and Charlie Mack, I accept,’’ O’Neal said. “You name the time and place, I’ll be there. Diesel don’t run from nobody.’’
In the video, the 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer also referred to his beef with Alston.
‘You chopped me in my neck, Charlie Mack, that’s why I talk so funny. Payback time,’ O’Neal said. “You name the time and place, I’ll be there. Diesel don’t run from nobody. … You better check my police record, Charlie Mack.’
On Tuesday, Mack wrote on his Instagram page, “So I call Big Fella @shaq out yesterday & he accepted as I knew he would!!!! We’ve been talking about it way too long, now we MUST get it ON!!!!!!!!’’
The latest on Mack’s Instagram: the image of a fight-style poster featuring O’Neal and Mack.
O’Neal weighed about 325 pounds during his 19-year NBA career. Mack is about 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, according to a rap song recorded by Will Smith when he was rapping as “The Fresh Prince.’’
“Me and you, baby, super heavyweight,’’ Mack said on the video, adding that he was calling O’Neal “Sha-knocked out.’ That’s what you’re going to be.’’
Official Celebrity Boxing has promoted fights featuring retired sports figures such Jose Canseco, Lamar Odom and Tonya Harding.