Apparently, the subsequent step after ending up a profession as a professional athlete is getting into one other one inside a boxing ring. We’ve seen this development acquire momentum during the last couple of years, and now former NFL working backs Le’Veon Bell and Adrian Peterson are set to be the subsequent to strive their hand on the candy science. This exhibition will happen on July 30 on a YouTube promoted card.
Most lately, we’ve seen Frank Gore depart the gridiron, throw on a pair of boxing gloves, and get it on. In his first bout, he fought former NBA level guard Deron Williams. Gore misplaced that bout by way of cut up choice solely to return to the ring a couple of months later, on his birthday, to say his first skilled victory within the ring.
And everybody remembers Nate Robinson, albeit in a celeb boxing setting, working into the ring and swiftly being proven the exit. Whereas Peterson and Bell must be nearer to the identical expertise stage, this battle could be simply as large a catastrophe as Robinson’s nap on the canvas.
I’m not mad at Bell, Peterson, or every other former professional athlete who decides that is the route they wish to take as soon as their major sports activities profession ends. However we don’t wish to see these guys get within the ring and appear to be has-beens. I’m positive there isn’t anybody apart from the 2 fighters who anticipate this battle to resemble something near a boxing clinic.
If somebody is prepared to pay these newbie fighters who simply occur to be former professional athletes massive sums of cash to get within the ring, then I say go for it. As a result of the reality is, as soon as most of those athletes retire for good from their sport, that’s normally it. As soon as that highlight disappears, it doesn’t return for the overwhelming majority.
There are at all times a couple of exceptions, like Michael Jordan, LeBron James (as soon as he retires), Charles Barkley, Deion Sanders, and doubtless even Tom Brady as soon as he formally calls it quits. After which some select the media route upon retiring, however even then, most of them fade into the background ahead of later.
Moving into boxing instantly after retirement is one other method for guys who’re used to a sure stage of physicality to nonetheless be bodily and receives a commission for it. I’m simply hoping they take it significantly and method boxing with the identical depth and vigor they did their respective sport.
I’m to see how lengthy it takes for both Peterson or Bell to get drained and drop their fingers. Whereas they’re professional athletes, soccer and boxing coaching are completely different beasts. It’s simple to get damage on the sector or court docket, but it surely’s even simpler in a battle sport like boxing, particularly should you don’t know what you’re doing.
That is only the start, particularly with NFL gamers leaping from discipline to ring. Now that there’s a lane and apparent viewers for this, I believe we’ll see not less than one or two retired NFLers announce their boxing debut throughout the subsequent handful of offseasons. If somebody funds it, they may come. You may wager on that.
