When we think of Eminem, images of fiery rap battles and record-breaking albums likely come to mind, but according to boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, the rapper has a surprising secret talent—he could’ve been a boxing champion.
It’s no secret that Eminem has had a number of roles in Hollywood, but what truly caught fans off guard was learning that Slim Shady’s fighting abilities are no joke. In a conversation with DJ Whoo Kid, De La Hoya shared an incredible revelation about Eminem’s boxing skills, stating that he’d actually seen the rapper throw some serious punches.
De La Hoya explained that the late Emanuel Steward, a renowned boxing trainer who worked with De La Hoya on several of his fights, had once shown him a video of Eminem training in the ring. “He was punching the hand mitts, and he was moving. He looked really good actually with a lot of power,” De La Hoya said, via Complex. It turns out that not only does Eminem have the passion to perform on stage, but he also has the physicality and skill to make a name for himself in the ring.
De La Hoya, clearly impressed by what he saw, even floated the idea of a celebrity boxing match with Eminem. “We can do a charity box-off together,” he suggested, adding, “I can come down in weight.” This proposal left fans buzzing about the possibility of seeing two titans from different worlds—hip hop and boxing—going head-to-head in a friendly competition for a good cause.
While we may never see Eminem officially step into a boxing ring for a full-fledged career, it’s clear that his ability to command attention isn’t limited to music alone. Whether he’s spitting bars or throwing punches, Slim Shady’s passion and talent seem to know no boundaries.