Michael Carter-Williams is undefeated in his new athletic venture. The 2013-14 NBA Rookie of the Year was successful Thursday night in his amateur boxing debut, battering Sam Khativ in a three-round heavyweight contest en route to a decision win at Broad Street Brawl in New York.
Carter-Williams, 33, is best known for a nine-year NBA career that saw him win the 2013-14 Rookie of the Year award with the Philadelphia 76ers. Carter-Williams also played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic before retiring from professional basketball in 2023.
Catch highlights of Carter-Williams’ debut against the 36-year-old Khativ below, which raised funds for Bigvision Community, a nonprofit that aids young adults recovering from substance abuse.
A longtime combat sports fan, Carter-Williams told Uncrowned in a recent “The Ariel Helwani Show” appearance that stepping into the ring has long been a fascination for him and may not be a one-off.
“I think it’s just to scratch that itch,” he said. “I’ve been competing my whole life, and that’s something I want to do. I want to continue to compete. I respect the sport. I’m a big fan. I watch a lot. I’ve got a lot of friends that fight.”
“I think I want to,” Carter-Williams added of doing multiple boxing matches. “I don’t know where it’s going to take me or where it’s going to lead me. I know that there’s an avenue for people who played professional sports, who enter the boxing ring. There’s a lane there. I don’t know, I’m kind of taking it one step at a time. It’s one of those things I definitely want to keep getting better at.
“I’ve thought about [the influencer angle]. I want to get this under my belt and go from there.”
Standing 6-foot-5 with a monster 8-5 standing reach, Carter-Williams certainly fits the physical profile of someone who could have a decent future in the ring if he decides to commit to boxing full time.
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