Le’Veon Bell has been telling the world that he is about this boxing life and his words fell on deaf ears; however, his performance against Adrian Peterson did not. Bell took Peterson out in the fifth round with a TKO to back up his words about wanting to be taken seriously in the boxing game.
The event titled Social Gloves 2: No More Talk was held on Saturday night at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles and featured a fight with former NBA baller Nick Young aka Swaggy P.
LE’VEON BELL SLEPT ADRIAN PETERSON 😱 #McBroomGib pic.twitter.com/JqyM6fR4S1
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) September 11, 2022
The Bell vs. Peterson fight began with malaise as the two felt each other out for the first four rounds of the scheduled five-round exhibition, although Peterson did knock Bell down early in the fight. Then Bell turned up the heat in the fifth, dropping Peterson with a straight right hand that hit the wide receiver square on the chin. A noodle-legged Peterson returned to his feet, but the referee had seen enough and stopped the bout to save a rattled Peterson.
“I appreciate everybody’s love and support, for real,” Bell, the former Pittsburgh Steelers star, said after the fight. “That’s really what kept me going. Honestly, all the hate, that motivates me.”
For Bell, boxing is his new focus in light of his NFL career, which hasn’t had the same traction since his departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018. Bell had stints with the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, but since he departed from Steelers Nation, he has split his time across four squads: New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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“I know I’m not going to be playing this year because I want to focus on boxing,” the 30-year-old Bell told NFL media in July.
Peterson was vocal about wanting back in the NFL, but after some glimpses of brilliance in sparring, many thought he would have fared better against Bell. Last month, a video hit the internet showing Peterson on the offensive in sparring and knocking his opponent down. However, for Peterson, it was clear that boxing is only a hobby.
“But since I’ve started, this is something that I’ll continue to do,” Peterson said during a promo event for the fight. “I’ll continue to stay in the ring, continue to practice, get my skills right because it’s a different ball game when you step in that square. Fortunately for me, I have some great guys around me that are experienced.”
Talking about shit like this bs 😂 https://t.co/Fb3cRLqnZ3
— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) September 11, 2022
Also on the card was former NBA star Nick’ Swaggy P’ Young, who crashed through the ropes from an apparent headbutt from opponent Malcolm Minikon. The 37-year-old was initially supposed to face rapper Blueface in an exhibition fight scheduled for five rounds. Luckily he didn’t, as the 6-foot-7 NBA champion had limited boxing ability.
The 'crowd' has been allowed inside and the prelims have started. Link to official free prelims stream below. #McBroomGib pic.twitter.com/AEUARH4mIP
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) September 11, 2022
However, pressed against the ropes in the fourth round, Minikon sent Young out of the ring from a headbutt. The ref waved the fight off. Although the fight reportedly sold minimal tickets, the convergence of former professional athletes from other sports into boxing continues with wins and losses determining who has staying power.
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