Ex-Browns QB Johnny Manziel Taking Talents to Boxing Ring

The fight between Johnny Manziel and Bob Menery is scheduled to take place on May 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Ex-Browns QB Johnny Manziel Taking Talents to Boxing Ring

Johnny Manziel (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Johnny Manziel is set to fight social-media influencer Bob Menery on May 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
  • The fight will be promoted by Adin Ross's Brand Risk Promotions and will stream live on multiple platforms.
  • The rivalry between Manziel and Menery reportedly stems from a heated argument during a drunken interview.

Johnny Manziel continues to find new arenas to continue his legacy. This time, however, the arena has ropes around it. That’s right, Manziel is all set to step into a boxing ring as he aims to settle a beef against social-media influencer Bob Menery.

Given the recent influx of former football players into boxing and the UFC, it was only a matter of time before college football’s former poster child dipped his hands into it.

According to ESPN, the fight between Manziel, 33, and Menery, 37, is scheduled to take place on May 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Controversial Kick streamer Adin Ross has received the rights to promote the fight. The ESPN report stated:

The fight [between Johnny Manziel and Bob Menery] will be promoted by Kick streamer Adin Ross’ Brand Risk Promotions, which is known for pitting celebrities against content creators in boxing matches.

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What is the story behind the bout between Johnny Manziel and Bob Menery?

The reason behind the fight is quite vague. According to sources, the rivalry between Manziel and Menery dates back to the Texas A&M phenom’s professional playing days in the Fan Controlled Football league (no longer operational).

Ex-Browns QB Johnny Manziel Taking Talents to Boxing Ring
Johnny Manziel (Image via IMAGO)

While there’s no credible evidence on the subject, people close to them claim that the pair got into a heated argument after a drunken interview. Regardless, at this point, hardly anyone cares what started the feud in the first place. The only thing that matters to the audience is that they get to enjoy a fight.

Initially, the fight was supposed to happen at Ross’s hood in Miami. UFC boss Dana White stepped in and shifted the event to the entertainment capital of the country. White previously said he would bet $10,000 on Menery’s no-show at the event. White said via HITC Sport:

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.’ Menery never does anything he says he’s going to do.

The fight will stream live on YouTube, Kick, Twitch, X, and TikTok on May 23, courtesy of Adin Ross’s Brand Risk Promotions.

Is Johnny Manziel mentoring Diego Pavia?

Manziel was electric during his college days at College Station. He won the Heisman Trophy and was the favorite to be drafted first overall. On draft day, he slipped to the 22nd pick, where he was selected by the Cleveland Browns.

After two seasons and a 2-6 record, the Browns cut ties with Manziel. With zero interest from any other NFL team, Manziel bounced from the Canadian Football League to the now-defunct Alliance American Football League and Fan Controlled Football League.

Twelve years later, Diego Pavia climbed from the depths of community college to earning a Heisman nomination after leading Vanderbilt to a 10-win campaign in 2025. Pavia received valuable advice from none other than Johnny Football in his journey. Manziel told Pavia.

I’m like, ‘Learn from my mistakes, brother. Learn from Johnny. Don’t be Johnny off the field.’

However, Pavia did the opposite. He rubbed coaches and NFL scouts the wrong way with his childish acts of disobedience.

The NFL teams are always bullish about such behavior. Pavia went undrafted and is fighting for a roster spot at the Baltimore Ravens.

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