NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown steps into boxing ring in Nigeria with zero preparation

Philadelphia 76ers forward Jaylen Brown took part in an unplanned boxing match in Nigeria this week, sharing footage of the bout on his Instagram page and acknowledging he had “0 prep for this” going in.

The appearance came roughly a month before Brown is due to begin his first season with the 76ers following his summer trade from the Boston Celtics. Despite the lack of preparation, Brown is not entirely without boxing pedigree — his father, Quenton Marselles Brown, is a former WBU champion.

The match appeared to draw attention to Brown’s 7uice Foundation, which, according to the organisation’s social media, “partners with leaders and institutions to bridge opportunity gaps and empower youth through education and innovation.”

Brown, 28, was traded to Philadelphia in July in a deal that sent Paul George and two future second-round draft picks to Boston. He arrives at the 76ers as one of the most decorated players in the league, having helped the Celtics claim the 2024 NBA title with a five-game demolition of the Dallas Mavericks — a run in which Brown was named Finals MVP.