What was billed as an unusual meeting between two former NBA players ended in just 38 seconds on Friday night, leaving Michael Beasley celebrating a victory and Delonte West facing renewed concern over his wellbeing.
The former basketball veterans stepped into the ring at streamer Adin Ross' Brand Risk 16 event in Miami, but their boxing contest barely lasted long enough to develop into a competitive exchange.
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Beasley, 37, secured a first-round technical knockout after connecting with a right hand that sent West to the canvas, prompting the referee to intervene when his opponent struggled to recover.
The result immediately generated criticism online, with viewers questioning the decision to stage the fight given West's difficult circumstances since leaving professional basketball.
West approached his boxing debut aggressively, advancing toward Beasley from the opening bell while throwing a series of heavy punches.
However, his attacks frequently left him off balance, allowing the younger former NBA forward to maintain his composure and capitalize on an opening.
Beasley eventually landed a clean right hand that knocked West down, with the referee beginning a count as the 43-year-old attempted to regain his footing.
The official stopped the contest after just 38 seconds, although confusion followed when the ring announcer mistakenly identified West as the winner.
The error was subsequently corrected, confirming Beasley's victory in a contest that had already attracted considerable attention because of the circumstances surrounding his opponent.
West's boxing debut prompts concern
West spent eight NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks, establishing himself as a capable guard before his final league appearance in 2012.
Since leaving professional basketball, the former first-round draft pick has faced significant personal challenges, including substance abuse, periods of homelessness and struggles with his mental health.
His difficulties have been widely documented, making his appearance in a celebrity boxing event particularly concerning to some viewers following Friday's rapid stoppage.
West was also arrested in Virginia earlier this year following an alleged robbery involving $23, according to TMZ, before being released on a $1,000 bond.
That incident was unrelated to the boxing match, but his recent circumstances contributed to questions about whether organizers had adequately considered his welfare.
Adin Ross responds to criticism
Ross addressed the backlash during his livestream, defending the decision to include West and emphasizing that the former NBA player had received financial compensation.
"I made sure he got paid well," Ross said, explaining that he wanted to provide West with an opportunity to improve his personal circumstances.
However, the streamer's explanation did little to satisfy critics who questioned whether the financial benefits outweighed the potential risks associated with the contest.
Some viewers characterized the matchup as exploitative, while others raised concerns about the medical clearance required before West was permitted to compete.
Although Beasley emerged victorious, the conversation surrounding the event has focused less on his performance than on the responsibilities involved in organizing celebrity boxing matches.