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While Damian Lillard is mainly known for his achievements on the basketball court, the nine-time NBA is also an avid fan of combat sports.
Kyle Kuzma, who was changed to 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 observe during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 4, 2025 at State Parc Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Scott Cunningham/NBAE through Getty Images)
In a publication on social networks, Kuzma initially joked by saying that Bucks superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, would face consequences if it started from Milwaukee at some point this low season.
Speculation has turned that the NBA MVP twice could explore its options this low season in search of playing with a team that is better positioned for a deep playoff race.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Next Team Odds: Where will ‘Greek Freak play next season?
“I for @giannis_an34 if you leave next year,” Kuzma wrote in an Instagram stories publication about a video of him in a combat session.
Kuzma continued that position suggesting that Lillard could be “next” teammate to draw his anger. “Ding ding,” Kuzma subtitled another video of him with boxing gloves.
Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers controls the ball during the second half against Utah jazz in Vivint Arena on March 22, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Alex Goodlett/Getty images)
Lillard learned of Kuzma’s challenge and responded in kind.
“When I am healthy … I will stop you in the fifth … long torso = bhop vs. de la hoya,” Lillard wrote in an Instagram stories publication.
April 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.; The Milwaukee Bucks Guard, Damian Lillard (0) reacts with striker Kyle Kuzma (18) in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game four of the first round of the NBA playoffs in 2024 in the FISVer 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 was defending his medium weight title when he knocked out De la Hoya. The fight is greatly remembered because it is the first time in De la Hoya’s career, he lost a fight for knockout.
The Bucks list Lillard as 6 ‘2 “and 195 pounds. Meanwhile, Kuzma appears in 6’ 9” and 221 lbs.
De la Hoya was remarkably smaller than Hopkins when they were in the ring. De la Hoya, who is often known as “The Golden Boy”, tried to win a belt in a weight that was heavier than normally competed.
Lillard recently underwent surgery to repair his torn left Achilles tendon. He suffered the injury in April during the Bucks playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Shortly before the LCA injury, the star shipowner had returned from a deep vein thrombosis problem in his right leg. Lillard was marginalized for the last 14 Bucks games of the regular season 2024-25.
