When it comes to dream matchups in celebrity boxing, Shaquille O’Neal versus Charlie Mack is about as unexpected—and entertaining—as it gets.
Now, there’s an extra layer of star power added to the mix: Roy Jones Jr., who holds the record for the most wins in unified light heavyweight title bouts in boxing history, says he’s ready to step in as referee if the bout goes down.
The boxing legend, who has held multiple championship titles in several weight classes throughout his career, made his intentions clear in a video shared with TMZ Sports earlier this week.
“If that jumps off,” Jones Jr. said, “I’ma definitely be the referee. Without question.”
For fans, that means one of the greatest fighters of all time could be right in the middle of the action between one of the NBA’s most dominant big men and a longtime figure in Will Smith’s inner circle.
The challenge first surfaced on August 18, when Mack—Smith’s former bodyguard and a music industry veteran—called out O’Neal through Celebrity Boxing founder Damon Feldman.
Mack jokingly pointed back to an autograph signing years ago, saying the two had some unfinished business. “I chopped him in his neck so he could get back,” Mack explained in a post retelling the story.
O’Neal wasted little time responding. A day later, he confirmed on Instagram that he was ready to fight. “Hey celebrity boxing and Charlie Mack, I accept,” Shaq said. “You name the time and place, I’ll be there. Diesel don’t run from nobody.”
Mack doubled down by posting a mock fight poster and reminding followers that the matchup had been in the works for years. “We’ve been talking about it way too long, now we MUST get it ON!!!!!!!!” he wrote, teasing that official details are coming.
While O’Neal hasn’t signed a contract yet, the involvement of Jones Jr. could help seal the deal.