Damien Lillard and Kyle Kuzma’s Boxing Challenge

Damien Lillard, recognized for his basketball skills as a nine-time NBA All-Star, also has a strong interest in combat sports. Recently, Kyle Kuzma, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks in February, decided to challenge Lillard, aware of his passion for boxing.

In a lighthearted social media post, Kuzma hinted that if he were to leave Milwaukee this offseason, superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo would face repercussions. There’s been chatter that the two-time NBA MVP might consider joining a team with deeper playoff potential this summer.

Kuzma joked, “If I leave next year, I’ll go to @giannis_an34,” and shared videos of himself training in the boxing ring.

He then suggested that Lillard could be his next target, saying in a follow-up post, “Dindin,” while showcasing his boxing gloves in another training clip.

Lillard responded in several ways to Kuzma’s playful challenge. He boasted, “When I’m healthy… I’m stopping you on the 5th… long torso = Bhop vs. de la Hoya,” referring to the legendary boxing match between Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya in 2004.

This matchup was notable as Hopkins knocked out De La Hoya, marking a significant moment in De La Hoya’s career. In terms of physical stats, the Bucks list Lillard at 6’2″ and 195 pounds, while Kuzma is taller at 6’9″ and 221 pounds.

For context, Lillard recently underwent surgery to fix his torn left Achilles tendon, an injury he sustained during the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers. Just before that, he had returned from an issue with deep venous thrombosis in his right leg, missing the last 14 games of the Bucks’ 2024-25 season.