49ers legend Frank Gore loses boxing debut vs. Deron Williams

On Saturday night, San Francisco 49ers legend Frank Gore fought former NBA star Deron Williams as an undercard of the Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley fight in Tampa, Florida. In the four-round bout, the former NFL running back lost his pro boxing exhibition debut. Williams was named the winner by a split decision of 38-37 Williams, 38-37 Gore, 40-35 Williams.

Gore and Williams checked in at about the same weight. The 5-foot-9 Gore was at 209.6 pounds and the 6-foot-3 Williams at 211.2 pounds.

Gore went down in the second round, getting pushed out of the ring by Williams. The pro-Gore crowd made itself known with "Let's Go Frank" chants in the same round. Gore made a push in round four, but ultimately, Williams landed more clean shots on his opponent throughout the fight. By the end of the four rounds, it was evident that both fighters were exhausted.

"I've been around [boxing] for so long. I love competing," Gore recently told Showtime when asked about his interest in the sport. "I want to give it a shot. I'll see how this fight goes. If I want to do it again, I know I can. If I want to just do it one time and it's over after that, it'll be something I wanted to do, and I did."

As Gore pursues a boxing career, a return to the NFL is not out of the question, especially if his former team makes a postseason run and comes calling.

"I'm in the best shape I've ever been in," Gore said. "The most ripped I've ever been. Hopefully, San Francisco makes a run, and my boys tell me to make a run with them."

Gore's 11,073 rushing yards through 10 seasons with San Francisco remain the most by a single player in franchise history. The running back turned boxer ranks No. 3 all-time with exactly 16,000 rushing yards. Only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton rank above him.