Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Le’Veon Bell is making headlines again, but this time it’s because he’s matching up against another former NFL player in a different sport.
Bell is set to face former NFL running back and future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson in a heavyweight boxing exhibition on July 30 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, according to Mike Coppinger of ESPN. The exhibition match will be on the undercard for Social Gloves 2, an event in which Youtubers Austin McBroom and AnEsonGib face off in the main event, per ESPN.
Adrian Peterson and Le’Veon Bell have signed contracts for a heavyweight boxing exhibition on July 30 at t.co/jQOG7qPgUR Arena in Los Angeles, sources tell @MikeCoppinger.
Bell’s connection to Chiefs Kingdom comes from the 2020 season in which he played nine regular season games and one playoff game for Kansas City. He then stated after the 2020 season that he would “never” play for head coach Andy Reid again.
Bell Odds-On Favorite to Win Exhibition
Bell, now 30 years old, began taking up boxing as a way to do cardio during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His passion for the sport then grew in 2018 when he stepped away from football for a year.
“I try to find ways to be healthier,” Bell explained to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler in July of 2018 of why he took up boxing. “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.”
Bell played in the NFL last season, earning reps in five games for the Baltimore Ravens and three for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.During his eight seasons in the league, Bell has earned three Pro Bowl nods and been named an All-Pro two times.
Peterson, 37, played three games for the Tennessee Titans and one for the Seattle Seahawks last season. He is currently fifth all-time in career rushing yards in the NFL (14,918), per Pro Football Reference. During his 14 years in the NFL, Peterson earned seven Pro Bowl nods and was named an All-Pro four times.
Bell (-180) is the odds-on favorite to beat Peterson (+140), according to BetOnline.
Twitter Reacts to Bell/Peterson Matchup
Twitter users reacted to the boxing exhibition between Bell and Peterson.
“Honestly they both have probably had dozens of concussions. First good head shot will probably win,” one Twitter user wrote.
@ESPNRingside @ESPNNFL @MikeCoppinger Honestly they both have probably had dozens of concussions. First good head shot will probably win.
“Cash grab. Pointless in the world of boxing, pointless in the world of football. Simply just a cash grab. I’ll keep mine in my pocket,” another user wrote.
@ESPNRingside @MikeCoppinger Cash grab. Pointless in the world of boxing, pointless in the world of football. Simply just a cash grab. Ill keep mine in my pocket.
“Having shaken both of their hands, I can say without a doubt Adrian Peterson will win. He is so strong, almost broke my hand he had such a strong handshake. I will always remember that handshake years later,” another user wrote.
@ESPNRingside @MikeCoppinger Having shaken both of their hands, I can say without a doubt Adrian Peterson will win. He is so strong, almost broke my hand he had such a strong handshake. I will always remember that handshake years later.
“Good thing these guys already have money otherwise they’ll get scammed like everyone else that does business with Austin McBroom lol,” another user wrote.
@ESPNRingside @AdamSchefter @MikeCoppinger Good thing these guys already have money otherwise they’ll get scammed like everyone else that does business with Austin McBroom lol
“This is wild bc McBroom has already hosted celebrity boxing events and not paid the fighters. These guys are boutta get robbed lol,” another user wrote.
@ESPNRingside @AdamSchefter @MikeCoppinger This is wild bc McBroom has already hosted celebrity boxing events and not paid the fighters. These guys are boutta get robbed lol
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Former Chiefs RB to Face Future Hall of Famer in Boxing Match: Report