Influencer boxing bout scheduled between former NFL quarterback and podcaster

Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel is scheduled to make his professional boxing debut later this month in a bout against influencer and podcaster Bob Menery. The contest is set to take place on 23 May at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, under the promotional company of streamer Adin Ross.

This event represents the latest development in the trend of social media influencers entering professional boxing. Manziel, 33, will face Menery, 38, in what will be his first professional boxing match. The fighters will compete in a contest that has drawn attention due to the backgrounds of both participants.

Manziel previously starred at Texas A&M as a freshman phenom, but his football career did not sustain at the professional level. He attempted to play in the Canadian Football League but his tenure there was brief. His career trajectory was documented in a Netflix film detailing his rise and fall before he turned his attention to the squared circle.

Bob Menery is a podcaster known for his interactions with UFC President Dana White. Reports indicate that White has expressed interest in the fight, having previously bet that Menery would back out, and is hosting the event at his venue. These claims regarding White's involvement are based on reported interest and remain unconfirmed until officially stated by the UFC.

The specific date of 23 May 2026 appears inconsistent with the narrative implication of an imminent event later in the current month, suggesting a potential error in the provided text or a future-dated scenario not fully clarified. The exact status of the fight's confirmation beyond reported statements remains unverified by official athletic commissions.

As this is Manziel's first professional boxing match, any claims regarding his skills or readiness are speculative. The bout serves as a notable entry point for both athletes into a new sporting arena, capitalising on their existing public profiles.