In a surprising twist, Anthony Davis, the star player of the Los Angeles Lakers, briefly transitioned from the basketball court to the boxing ring in June 2023. He engaged in a captivating sparring session against undefeated boxer Jalen Walker. Despite Davis’ significant height advantage standing at 6-foot-10, he encountered difficulties landing punches on the smaller and agile Walker, who measured 5-foot-8.
In the video footage, Davis can be seen wearing the Lakers’ iconic purple and gold colors along with a stylish grey sweater. Throughout the spar, Davis playfully pursued Walker around the ring, demonstrating his agility and attempting to find opportunities to land punches. However, Walker’s swift footwork and defensive skills seemed to thwart Davis’ efforts, preventing him from fully utilizing his superior reach.
Jalen Walker, who had enjoyed a successful boxing career, had an eagerly anticipated match scheduled against Alejandro Guerrero on April 13. Walker had emerged victorious in his previous four bouts since facing Angel Contreras in April 2021, establishing himself as a rising star in the boxing world.
Despite his venture into the boxing ring, Anthony Davis has remained a crucial figure for the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the season. With only four missed games, Davis has been consistently present on the basketball court, averaging an impressive 24.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. His exceptional shooting accuracy of 55.5 percent from the field has significantly contributed to the Lakers’ performance.
As the regular season approached its conclusion, the Lakers held a 38-32 record, placing them in the ninth position in the highly competitive Western Conference. With 12 games remaining, the team was expected to participate in the Play-in Tournament in April. Notably, other California teams such as the Golden State Warriors (10th) and Sacramento Kings (8th) were also competing for a spot in the tournament.
Surprisingly, the Phoenix Suns, considered strong contenders, had encountered some challenges and were positioned in the seventh seed, adding further intrigue to the playoff race.
