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While Damian Lillard is best known for his achievements on the basketball field, the Nina All-Star nine times is also a fan of combat sports.
Kyle Kuzma, who was exchanged at the Milwaukee Bucks in February, was apparently aware of the passion of his teammate Lillard for boxing and decided to challenge him to a fight.
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Milwaukee Bucks players watch during the match against the Atlanta Hawks on March 4, 2025 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Scott Cunningham / NBAE via Getty Images)
In an article on social networks, Kuzma initially joked by saying that the superstar of Bucks Giannis Antetokoun would face consequences if he left Milwaukee at a given time.
Speculations have turned to the Double MVP of the NBA could explore its options this offseason in search of playing with a team that is better positioned for a race in deep playoffs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Next Team Odds: Where will “Greek Freak” play next season?
“Me at @ giannis_an34 if you are going next year,” Kuzma wrote in an article on Instagram stories on a video of him during a fighting session.
Kuzma followed this post by suggesting that Lillard could be “the next” teammate to get his anger. “Ding Ding”, Kuzma legend another video of him with boxing gloves.
Damian Lillard # 0 of the Blazers of Portland Trail controls the ball during the second half against Utah Jazz in Vivit Arena on March 22, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Alex Goodlett / Getty Images)
Lillard heard from the Kuzma challenge and responded in kind.
“When I’m in good health … I stop you in the 5th … Long torso = Bhop against Hoya,” wrote Lillard in an article on Instagram Stories.
April 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States; Milwaukee Bucks goalkeeper Damian Lillard (0) reacts with striker Kyle Kuzma (18) in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers in the fourth match of the first round of the NBA 2024 qualifiers at the Fiserv Forum. (Benny Sieu-Imagn images)
Lillard’s response was a reference to the famous 2004 fight by Bernard Hopkins against Oscar de la Hoya. Hopkins defended his average weight title when he eliminated Hoya. The fight is largely in memories for the first time in the Hoya career, he lost a fight via Knockout.
The bucks lists Lillard like 6 ‘2 “and 195 lbs. Meanwhile, Kuzma is listed at 6’ 9” and 221 pounds.
Hoya was significantly smaller than Hopkins when they were in the ring. From the Hoya, which is often called “The Golden Boy”, tried to win a belt in a weight category that was heavier than usual.
Lillard recently underwent surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon. He suffered the injury in April in the Bucks Playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Shortly before the LCA injury, the star leader had gathered a deep venous thrombosis problem on his right leg. Lillard has been sidelined for the last 14 games of the Bucks of the regular season 2024-25.
