Johnny Manziel is making a comeback of sorts — only this one has nothing to do with football.
Brand Risk Promotions announced Thursday that Manziel will make his boxing debut against social media influencer Bob Menery on May 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The fight was initially expected to take place in Miami, but after White publicly expressed doubt that Menery would show up, the bout was relocated to Las Vegas.
The fight is expected to be an exhibition, though further details have not been announced.
For Browns fans, the spectacle of “Johnny Football” in a boxing ring may carry its own brand of appeal — specifically, the chance to watch him lose again.
Johnny Manziel Hates the Cleveland Browns
Manziel was selected by the Browns with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The hype that followed the Heisman-winner to Cleveland was enormous, although it never paid off.
He started eight games across two seasons, going 2-6 with 1,675 passing yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. His tenure was defined less by what happened on the field than by what happened off of it. Manziel was released in 2016. Cleveland does not hold a special spot in Manziel’s heart.
“I think I’m going to be pissed at them and hate them forever,” Manziel said on the Nightcap podcast. “No love for the Browns. I’m rooting for 0-16 seasons every season.”
After his time in Cleveland, Manziel attempted to come back a few times. He played in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes in 2018. Manziel also tried to catch on with the Alliance of American Football’s Memphis Express in 2019, and in Fan Controlled Football.
Browns QB Situation Remains Unclear
The Browns enter next season with new head coach in Todd Monken at the helm and a quarterback room headlined by Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. There’s no clear answer at this point on who will start Week 1.
Watson, a former Pro Bowler, enters the final year of his fully guaranteed contract following a deeply disappointing run in Cleveland. He has not played since rupturing his right Achilles in 2024. He has appeared in just 19 games for the Browns since arriving in 2022.
However, reports suggest Watson has an edge. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com said that the veteran holds the “inside track” to win the starting job.
“Deshaun Watson emerged from the Browns’ voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1,” Cabot said in April. “The Browns have said that their quarterback decision will be based on performance alone as opposed to development and a potential high pick in next year’s QB-rich draft class, and if the season started tomorrow, Watson would be the starter.”
Sanders took over as the Browns’ starter in Week 12 last season, going 3-4 across seven starts. He passed for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green remain in the mix but are unlikely to be considered for the starting job.
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