From balling to boxing, the life of Kaspars Kambala
January 15, 2008 by Julien
What would you do if you were banned from professional basketball for 2 years ? Latvian center Kaspars Kambala decided to give a shot to a boxing career…
Back in 2006, Kambala was playing the best basketball of his life being a force in the middle (16 ppg) for Turkish powerhouse, Ulker Fenerbahçe. He was known for his offensive skillset close to the basket and most definitely for his intimidating body (2.06m, 120 kgs).
But all of a sudden, Kambala went fatal error being convicted of cocaine use and suspended for 24 months by the FIBA Appeals’ Tribunal. The big man will be cleared to play pro ball again starting from December 2008. But reports say the 29-year old has no intention of resuming his basketball career (European centers can breathe again…). Instead Kambala decided to start a new challenge : a professional boxing career.
Don’t worry for the former UNLV standout, Kambala is not boxing for food. He earned well enough money playing for 5 years overseas. He’s just fighting for fun. And so far it has worked just fine. Kambala is no Muhammad Ali but he won his first pro fight this weekend. The opponent had lost 3 of his 4 previous fights so maybe it’s a bit early to ponder upon his chances to be the next heavyweight champion from a former Soviet Republic. Did you know that until September 2007, all 4 heavyweight champions of the World (IBF, WBO, WBA, WBC) came from that area (2 from Russia, 1 from Ukraine, 1 from Uzbekistan) ?
I got to finish that post saying I found it very ironic that Kambala decided to wear gloves because one of the last good things he did on a basketball court was actually trying to stop a boxing fight. It was back in 2006, Marcus Haislip vs Mirsad Türkçan, check that huge bald white guy coming 1 second too late to prevent a nice little punch in the face.
[youtube -sX2mpOsqeg nolink]
PS : Hat tips to Hedo05 and ggz frome the Basketsession forum.
LOL! He was one of my favourite post players… good luck in boxing, rofl.
[...] From balling to boxing, the life of Kaspars Kambala From balling to boxing, the life of Kaspars Kambala January 15th, 2008 by Julien at 10:01 am What would you do if you were banned from professional basketball for 2 years ? Latvian center Kaspars Kambala decided to give a shot to a boxing career… [Read more →] [...]
Kaspars kambala pursued boxing to stay in shape, no more no less. He is still addicted to cocaine. So even if he returns to play BB in Europe it will not be for long. He will test positive again.
[Quote] Came from that area? [/Quote]
Latvia is not near Uzbekistan go get a map before you make such stupid statements. Just like saying America is near Vietnam
Russia only occupied the Baltic states for a short period of time so stop calling it USSR. 50 years is nothing compared to the 1000 year history of the country. Get over it you communist lovers.
it’s funny how kas and jessica are splitting up and she wants to talk trash about him and say he has this big cocaine problem. what kind of wife is she, to not try and get help? maybe thats why he is leaving you. just accept that he doesn’t want you anymore and get a life. the free ride is over. i guess you have to get a job now and actually work for once. get a life and get on with yours, instead of trying to ruin his. he doesn’t want you, so go try and find another athlete. isn’t that what you were trying to do for a long time? i mean the rumor was you were trying to get with the guys from the championship team and none of them wanted you, so you kept trying year after year. hahahahahahahahahahaha joke is on you now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you know how to “google”. The whole world knows Kambala is an addict. Who are you to speak on a man and his wife and what they went through? The only joke is that his sons have an addict for a father. Google and then comment. Ignorance is free.