Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Chris Rock’s brother says he wants to fight Will Smith in a boxing match: ‘I’ll let the hands do the talking’

‘I should get in the ring with Will Smith,’ Kenny Rock said

Tom Murray
Thursday 14 April 2022 17:08 BST
Comments
Jason Manford jokes about Will Smith Oscars slap during Olivier Awards

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Kenny Rock has issued a fighting challenge to Will Smith after the actor slapped his older brother, comedian Chris Rock, at the Oscars earlier this month.

Kenny has just signed a deal with Celebrity Boxing to fight in Florida this summer and was asked whether he thinks his brother and Smith should get in the ring.

“No they shouldn’t but I should get in the ring with Will Smith,” Kenny responded to TMZ.

Asked what his message was to Smith, Kenny said: “I’ll let the hands do the talking.”

Speaking on his feelings about the Academy’s move to ban Smith from attending the Oscars, Kenny added: “They might say a 10-year ban and after three years they’ll think we may have forgot about it and they’ll slide him in there after two years, three years, five years. So we have to make sure these people do what they say they’re going to do.”

Kenny had previously criticised the Academy for its lack of action after the altercation, telling the Los Angeles Times in a 4 April article: “It eats at me watching it over and over again because you’ve seen a loved one being attacked and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars (AP)

“Every time I’m watching the videos, it’s like a rendition that just keeps going over and over in my head. My brother was no threat to him and you [Smith] just had no respect for him at that moment. You just belittled him in front of millions of people that watch the show.”

Smith resigned from the Academy on 1 April, five days after the incident.

Read Smith’s full response to the ban here. Follow along for live updates here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in