Le’Veon Bell to Fight Adrian Peterson in Celebrity Boxing Match

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is in the process of securing a boxing fight against fellow former NFL running back Adrian Peterson, according to a report by TMZ.

Bell scheduled to make his boxing debut in a card run by Austin McBroon at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on July 30 called Social Gloves. But his opponent has yet to be announced, and according to TMZ, it could be Peterson.

The two match up in height and weight, at least from their NFL days. Bell was listed at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, while Peterson was 6-foot-1, 217 pounds. The 30-year-old Bell is seven years Peterson’s younger.

Bell played last season with the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but recorded a career-low 39 carries for 101 yards on the season. The 30-year-old former Steelers second-round draft pick was a three-time All-Pro in his four seasons in Pittsburgh, but left the team after sitting out the 2018 season in a contract dispute and never re-gained the level of success he had with the Steelers.

Redskins RB Adrian Peterson, Broncos at Redskins 8/24/18 — Wikimedia Commons

Peterson saw time with the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks in 2021, rushing 38 times for 98 yards. He scored two touchdowns. The 2012 NFL MVP, Peterson was a seven-time All-Pro while with the Minnesota Vikings from 2007-16, and has bounced around the NFL since.

Neither player has officially retired from the NFL, and neither player has an official boxing record. Former NBA player Nick Young is also reportedly on the boxing card. The Social Gloves promotion held a similar card in Miami last year.

Frank Gore, a running back contemporary of Bell and Peterson, won his professional boxing debut in March, defeating Yaya Olorunsola via knockout in Biloxi, Mississippi.