Johnny Manziel is going to be boxing social media star Bob Menery at the UFC Apex. Seriously, this is a thing that is happening.
The former quarterback for the Texas A&M Aggies, Cleveland Browns, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes, Memphis Express, and the Fan Controlled Football Zappers will reportedly make his boxing debut on May 23 in Las Vegas.
Kick streamer Adin Ross’ Brand Risk Promotions, which is well-known for putting celebrities in boxing matches with content creators, will promote the fight, according to ESPN. UFC President Dana White will be hosting the event, which will be broadcast live on YouTube, Kick, Twitch, X, and TikTok.
“Menery hits me up and says, ‘Who are you betting on?’ I said, ‘I’m betting on you don’t even show up, that’s my bet,’” White said on Instagram in April. “Menery never does anything he says he’s going to do,” White added. “… There’s no way 49 percent of people believe in Bob Menery and that he’s going to show up.”
The rivalry between Johnny Manziel, 33, and Bob Menery, 38, reportedly dates back to Fan Controlled Football. It supposedly got worse during a tense interview between the two that some thought may have been staged.
Johnny Manziel recently served as a sort-of mentor to Diego Pavia
Manziel was recently in the news for reportedly giving advice to Diego Pavia ahead of the NFL Draft.
“He’s giving me what to look out for, what it’s like, how to stay in the process,” Pavia said. “And, you know, he’s given me some good advice, for sure. And he always reaches out, too, checks up on me, makes sure I’m good, and he just, like, he’s just a friend to me, you know? And so he’s giving me some mentorship. He’s been around me, he’s been around my family. He’s just a great person for those that really don’t know him.”
Pavia ended up going undrafted – the first Heisman finalist since Jordan Lynch in 2014 to do so – but ended up signing a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens after accepting the team’s invitation to attend their rookie minicamp.