Michael Beasley Earns First-Round Stoppage Over Delonte West at Brand Risk 16
Michael Beasley defeated Delonte West by first-round technical knockout during Adin Ross' Brand Risk 16 event in Miami. West hit the canvas in the opening round of his combat sports debut and could not beat the referee's count. The bout marked Beasley's return to the ring after suffering a submission loss under mixed martial arts rules earlier this year.
Former NBA forward Michael Beasley secured a decisive first-round technical knockout over Delonte West during the Brand Risk 16 exhibition card held at the Brand Risk Warehouse in Miami on October 16, according to a report by AllHipHop.
The matchup brought two former professional basketball players into the boxing ring for an event organized by live-streamer Adin Ross. According to reporting from MMA Fighting cited by AllHipHop, the fight ended rapidly when West hit the canvas inside the first round and was unable to beat the referee's 10-count.
Entering the bout, Beasley held the height and reach advantage over his opponent. Coverage of the fight noted that West pressed forward looking to connect with big swings, while Beasley worked from outside his opponent's punching range. That exchange ended with West on the canvas, prompting the referee to halt the bout.
The early stoppage delivered a turnaround for Beasley in crossover combat sports. Back in May at Brand Risk 14 in Las Vegas, Beasley had tested mixed martial arts against another former NBA colleague, Lance Stephenson. That MMA contest concluded when Stephenson took Beasley down and locked in a rear-naked choke submission to force a tap out. The two had previously competed against each other in Big3 basketball and played a one-on-one basketball contest for $100,000.
Following that submission defeat, Beasley remained open to boxing while acknowledging that grappling had proved difficult. AllHipHop highlighted Beasley's reflection after the May loss: "Practicing getting choked and getting choked ain’t the same!"
For West, the Miami card marked his first competitive appearance in combat sports. Both athletes had previously competed against one another during their tenures in the NBA and throughout their careers in China's top professional basketball league before joining Ross' event.
Despite stepping into the ring as opponents, the pair maintained mutual respect leading up to the opening bell. During fight week appearances, interviewer Fred Beck asked West about crossing paths with Beasley again, as reported by Athlon Sports. West referenced their past athletic encounters and shared drive: "Oh, yeah, yeah. We’re two fierce competitors, you know. And we both want to win. We love to win."
The match between the two basketball veterans was part of a varied program organized by Ross' Brand Risk promotion, which was broadcast free to viewers across social media networks and Ross' Kick channel. Alongside the former NBA players, the card featured internet personalities and performers, including a boxing contest between R&B singer YK Osiris and online creator Deshae Frost.