On Saturday, July 30, free-agent NFL running backs Le’Veon Bell and Adrian Peterson will square off in a celebrity exhibition boxing bout at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.

Bell made the formal announcement on Twitter on Friday.

Twitter Post by Le’Veon Bell:

Le’Veon Bell

@LeVeonBell

“& it’s official 🍿👀 nothing else needs to be said, let’s gooo”

According to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, this will be the first time both running backs have competed in a boxing ring.

The bout will take place on an undercard that also includes two YouTube stars in the main event, Austin McBroom and AnEsonGib.

On the undercard, ex-NBA player Nick Young will fight rapper Blueface.

Bell and Peterson are two of many current and previous sportsmen who have competed in boxing. Deron Williams, an ex-NBA point guard, defeated former NFL running back Frank Gore in a split decision. YouTube sensation Jake Paul defeated ex-NBA player and Slam Dunk Contest winner Nate Robinson. In a four-round demonstration, ex-NFL wideout Chad Johnson faced up against bare-knuckle brawler Brian Maxwell.

Bell and Peterson will now take shifts in the ring.

Bell, 30, spent eight seasons in the NFL. The 6’1″, 225-pound running back played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2013 to 2017, earning three Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro team nods. In the three years since, Bell has played for the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and, most recently, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, totaling 9,843 yards and 51 touchdowns.

The 37-year-old 6’1″, 220-pound Peterson has played 15 NFL seasons, earning seven Pro Bowls, four All-Pro selections, and the 2012 NFL MVP award. He led the league in rushing three times and eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark with 2,097 yards in 2012. The ex-Oklahoma star has played for seven NFL teams, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings.

Professional career of Le’Veon Bell

The majority of observers anticipated Bell to be a second or third round pick out of Michigan State. NFLDraftScout.com ranked him as the fifth best running back, and NFL expert Bucky Brooks listed him as the greatest overall running back. He was invited to the NFL Combine and took part in all workouts and positional exercises.

Adrian Peterson’s Professional life

NFL Draft in 2007

Peterson stated on January 15, 2007, that he will bypass his final year of college and join the 2007 NFL Draft. He was recognized as a tall, upright runner with an unusual mix of speed, strength, agility, stature, and vision, as well as a very aggressive running style when he first entered the league. His uncommon skill as a tremendous breakaway and power runner has drawn parallels to Eric Dickerson, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, O. J. Simpson, Franco Harris, and Jim Brown. 

The media and possible NFL organizations were concerned about his injuries incurred in college. He started 22 of 31 games in college and had a dislocated shoulder his freshman year (though he did not miss any games), a high ankle sprains his sophomore year, and a broken collarbone his senior year. His durability was a factor for at least two teams in their draft analysis, which influenced the selection position. Professional football evaluators likened Peterson to Eric Dickerson before the 2007 NFL Draft.