Johnny Manziel, the former Heisman Trophy winner who once lit up college football, is trading his cleats for boxing gloves. The 33-year-old is set to make his boxing debut on May 23 against influencer Bob Menery at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, under the promotion of streamer Adin Ross's company. This matchup is the latest in the growing trend of social media boxing events that blend sports and entertainment.
Manziel's journey from gridiron star to prizefighter is a fascinating chapter in his post-football life. After a meteoric rise as a freshman phenom at Texas A&M, his NFL career quickly fizzled out. He later tried his hand at the Canadian Football League, but that stint was also short-lived. More recently, he was the subject of a Netflix documentary detailing his dramatic rise and fall, keeping him in the public eye.
As for Menery, the 38-year-old podcaster has managed to get under the skin of UFC president Dana White. White not only bet that Menery would back out of the fight but has taken such a keen interest in seeing it happen that he's agreed to host the bout at his own venue. It's a setup that promises drama both inside and outside the ring.
Whether you're a fan of Manziel's college glory days or just love a good crossover fight, this May 23 event is shaping up to be one you won't want to miss.
