Tag: Charlie Powell

Antonio Brown vs. Logan Paul? Seems more and more likely

Former NFL receiver Antonio Brown has begun training in boxing for a possible fight against internet personality Logan Paul.

Many former football players have tried to make the transition to boxing. And many have failed.

Is Antonio Brown next on the list?

First of all, Brown has the time now. The All-Pro receiver had an acrimonious departure from the NFL and no one seems to be interested in signing him even though he’s only 31, at least not at the moment.

And he might have a foil if he decides to actually exchange blows in the ring. Logan Paul, the YouTube personality who lost to counterpart KSI in an official fight in November, told TMZ Sports that he and Brown have already begun talks to fight one another.

That makes perfect sense. Paul knows fans would buy into a fight with a former NFL star. And he has an advantage: No one would describe Paul as a skillful boxer but at least he has been training for a while.

That doesn’t seem to be the case with Brown. Check out the video of Brown hitting mitts that DAZN USA posted on its Twitter account. DAZN, which streamed Paul-KSI, presumably would do the same with Paul-Brown.

Brown appears to be fit in the video. And we know he’s quick and athletic. However, it appears he never threw a punch in his life.

Of course, football players-turned-boxers such as Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Mark Gastineau, Alonzo Highsmith and Seth Mitchell fought genuine boxers in their careers. Brown would be fighting another novice.

The best football player-turned-boxer? Probably heavyweight Charlie Powell, who was a remarkable athlete in the 1950s and early ’60s. He played minor-league baseball out of high school and then became the youngest NFL player ever at 19. He lasted five seasons as a defensive end and linebacker.

Powell (25-11-3, 17 KOs) made his pro boxing debut during his NFL career, in 1953. He went on to knock out No. 2-ranked Nino Valdes in 1959 and later fight Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson, getting stopped by both. He never fought for the heavyweight title but was capable enough to share the ring with future Hall of Famers.

With a little work, Brown might become capable enough to fight an internet personality.