NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal Challenges Charles Barkley To Slap Boxing Match

Anthony Pasciolla | Jul 17, 2024

Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shaquille O'Neal greets fans before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley are two of the most entertaining people in the sports world, especially when paired together.

The Hall of Famers banter on Inside the NBA provides a multitude of comical moments, which often go viral. President of the UFC Dana White recently appeared on O'Neal's podcast, where the two discussed White's venture into the world of slap boxing. This prompted the four-time NBA champion to call out Barkley for a match later this year.

"September 19th, me vs. you, Charles Barkley," O'Neal said. "Imma smack the [expletive] out of your [expletive]."

White was fully on board with the idea, responding, "I love it!" During O'Neal's public challenge, a graphic appeared on the screen of the two legends facing off.

Here's a look back on one of the few times Barkley got the best of Michael Jordan:

It happened in 1992 when both were playing for what most call the greatest team ever assembled. Jordan and Barkley were members of the Olympic Dream Team that featured the likes of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Karl Malone.

It was the first time the United State used professional players. Naturally, the team went 8-0 on the way to easily winning the gold medal.

What many forget was Barkley led the team in scoring at 18 points a game, ahead of Jordan's 14.9.

"I led the team in scoring and rebounding," Barkley said on an appearance on the All The Smoke podcast. "It was easy, though. Basketball was easy to me.

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It should be noted that Malone led the team in rebounding. Still, Barkley showed the world he was among the best players. Jordan, though, owns Barkley in just about every other category. He won six NBA championships to Barkley's zero.

Jordan is also considered the best player in league history by most fans and analysts. But Barkley had his one moment in Barcelona.

"I got the best compliment ever from [coach] Chuck Daly," Barkley said. "He pulled me aside one day, `You're the second-best basketball player in the world.' I said, `who better than me?' We both started laughing. Obviously, Michael was it."'

Anthony Pasciolla is a contributing writer for Back In The Day NBA. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or followed on X @anthonypasci. 

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