Who knew that boxing was going to become the new clout chase? Veteran contact sport and basketball athletes, rappers and rapper impersonators have been on the cultural shift.
The recent iteration comes from NFL running backs Adrian Peterson and Le’Veon Bell, who reportedly have inked on for a heavyweight boxing exhibition. The fight is scheduled for July 30 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Adrian Peterson and Le’Veon Bell have signed contracts for a heavyweight boxing exhibition on July 30 at https://t.co/jQOG7qPgUR Arena in Los Angeles, sources tell @MikeCoppinger. pic.twitter.com/8NuDo6KF1y
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) June 27, 2022
The two will face off on the undercard of Social Gloves 2, promoted by YouTube star Austin McBroom who will fight fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib in the main event.
The 30-year-old Bell has been dropping not-so-subtle hints on social media that he was itching for a fight. After Jake Paul’s fifth career bout and win, knocking out former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley last year, Bell staked his desire on Twitter to fight Paul.
@jakepaul fight me, stop tryna fight ppl who can’t box
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) December 19, 2021
“@jakepaul fight me, stop tryna fight ppl who can’t box”
Then in a follow-up tweet, he wrote:
“I’m tired of watching him out box ppl who don’t even wanna box…if he wanna boxing match, a real one, he’d fight me…period, stop fightin small dudes who can’t box”
I’m tired of watching him out box ppl who don’t even wanna box…if he wanna boxing match, a real one, he’d fight me…period, stop fightin small dudes who can’t box https://t.co/EaxEBbJFR9
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) December 19, 2021
Another Tweet for optimal impact followed:
“he won’t tho cuz i’m 29, I’m actually his size, an athletic background, & been boxing just as long as he has …”
he won’t tho cuz i’m 29, I’m actually his size, an athletic background, & been boxing just as long as he has … https://t.co/NKgwLIoRvb
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) December 19, 2021
However, Paul wasn’t having it. Instead, he pawned Bell off on Woodley, saying, “Tyron would drop you faster than the Ravens.”
Although the former Steelers standout has struggled to find an NFL home since departing Pittsburgh, where he spent his first five seasons, Boxing apparently takes everybody.
Now the former All-Pro running back has found his Huckleberry in Peterson, and despite Bell’s assertions that he has been fighting a long time, it will be both his and Peterson’s first boxing match.
Aye @TWooodley this clown saying you can’t box.
How about you show him as part of the next MVP event?
Tyron would drop you faster than the Ravens !! https://t.co/upqpKwWay0
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 19, 2021
The fight is an exhibition and not a professional debut for either athlete. Recently, Frank Gore made his professional boxing debut, landing a right cross that viciously knocked out Yaya Olorunsola in the fourth round of the co-main event of Gamebred Boxing 1 in Mississippi.
Why the allure of the crossover into one of the most dangerous sporting professionals on Earth next to football? It has a lot to do with training in the off-season.
“I try to find ways to be healthier,” Bell told CBS Sports in 2018. “I want my body to be in great shape so as the season comes closer you’ll start seeing that form to take shape. [Boxing] is just to help with my cardio and my stamina.
“It’s a little different than football, and I try to stay off my joints in the offseason as much as possible, still get cardio. Instead of cutting and doing a lot of drills, I’ve been doing a lot of boxing training.”
Peterson, now 37, was the oldest running back in the NFL in 2021. The free agent is also a former MVP and fifth on the NFL’s career rushing yards list.
Also on the card are former NBA player Nick Young, who will fight rapper Blueface on the undercard. With Izzy Drake, aka fake Drake, the professional Drake impersonator challenging “Champagne Papi to a $1M celebrity boxing match, you never know what is coming next.
The promoter of Celebrity Boxing reportedly booked a fight in late August for fake Drake, whether Aubrey Graham accepts the fight or not.
Get your popcorn ready?
