Jayson Tatum Trains With Boxing Champion Amid Reports of Jaylen Brown Turmoil

Jayson Tatum already achieved a superhuman feat in the 2025-26 season, recovering from and returning to action after an Achilles tear, an injury that typically sidelines players for over a year. But the Celtics, who made it to the postseason without him, were never the same force with Tatum far from 100%. They were knocked out in the first round by the 76ers, and heading into the 2026-27 campaign, fans are hoping to see Tatum back at full strength. As part of his training regimen, the 2024 NBA champion is utilizing cross-sport training. Like several NBA stars before him, he was recently spotted training in boxing.

Tatum wasn't just training with anyone who could throw punches, though. He enlisted the help of another world-class athlete in former champion and now-retired fighter Shawn Porter.

Tatum shared snapshots of himself getting work done in the boxing ring with Porter on his Instagram account. The photos were part of a collection highlighting the progress he’s made so far, which also included offseason workouts on the basketball court.

The pictures of him on the court appear to have been taken at a recent basketball camp, which he hosted with legendary retired point guard Chris Paul.

Having all summer to fully rehabilitate should be just what Tatum needs to get right back to playing dominant basketball. He was able to suit up in 16 games toward the end of the 2025-26 season, and he was fairly good. He averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. But the Celtics collapsed in the playoffs despite being 3-1 up in the series.

The biggest problems for Boston, however, began afterward, when 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown went on Twitch to call it his “favorite season” despite the disappointment the team suffered. It reportedly caused fractures and resulted in Brown being traded to the 76ers.

They did get Paul George in return, but given how he’s played over the last two seasons and the injuries he has suffered, it’s clear he’s no longer the player he once was, although a career resurgence can’t be completely ruled out.

The Celtics and Tatum, despite what happened at the end, will surely miss Brown’s presence on the court. In Tatum’s absence, he averaged 28.8 points per game, leading Boston to a No. 2 finish in the East. That’s something George, most likely, won’t be able to replicate. But it seems Boston will only miss Brown from a basketball standpoint, as it has been reported in recent days that Tatum and Brown barely had a relationship off the court.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Reportedly Merely Had A Professional Relationship

Jayson Tatum was drafted in 2017, a year after Jaylen Brown was selected by the Boston Celtics. The two essentially grew up together in the NBA, learning from the same coaches and mentors while facing the same challenges.

Given everything they experienced together as professionals, it would be easy to assume they’d develop a close bond, the kind that has led many teammates to call each other brothers long after their playing days ended. However, their relationship came into question when Brown's name began circulating in the rumor mill.

When he was being floated as the centerpiece of a trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tatum was noticeably quiet. After the team kept Brown on the trade block following its failed pursuit of Antetokounmpo, Tatum remained silent.

Now that Brown is with a different organization, reports have started circulating that he and Tatum had a strictly professional relationship. They worked hard together to achieve their goals on the court, but, according to those reports, they weren’t really friends off it.

But at the same time, it doesn't mean they were enemies. Tatum surely valued Brown's presence on the court, as after the 76ers trade became national news, he took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message.

"9 years! Forever grateful for all that we accomplished together, for pushing me to be a better player. From first-round exits to winning a chip together. I'm thankful for it all. Nothing but love and respect for you as a player and as a person! Looking forward to seeing how you attack this next chapter of your career and wish nothing but the best for you! Continue to be special!" Tatum wrote.

Whether Tatum and Brown were close friends or simply coworkers chasing the same goal may never really matter. Together, they helped turn the Celtics into contenders and ultimately delivered an NBA championship to the city. Now, with Brown in Philadelphia and Tatum working his way back from injury, both stars are entering a new chapter of their careers.