For legendary NFL running back Le’Veon Bell, being away from the gridiron does not mean sitting idle or becoming a rookie commentator or analyst. The legendary Pittsburgh Steelers star is ready to grow in his best form. However, he ditches the gridiron to try his luck in boxing this time.
Last year, he was in direct combat with Bellator welterweight Dillon Danis at the Misfits Boxing. Going by the speculations, this time, Bell’s fans will probably witness a face-to-face between the former NFL star and the famous boxing star Tristan Hamm.
Boxing as Bell’s chosen alternative
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Bell played in the NFL between 2013 and 2017 and took a long break only to return with another stint between 2019 and 2021. His best days were with the Steelers, as he made three Pro Bowl teams. However, during the past three years, he hit a low in his career and took up boxing. Bell’s fans have to wait over a month to cheer for him in the boxing ring as the Misfits Boxing matchup is scheduled for May 25.
🚨🚨🚨Sources to @_MLFootball:
Legendary #Steelers running back, Le'Veon Bell has a big boxing match on May 25. It is being announced tomorrow.
The fight will be on Misfits Boxing, and people are speculating he’ll be fighting Tristan Hamm.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 12, 2024
Last year, Bell debuted against the undefeated JMX, Joel Morris. It was his third boxing bout. His amateur debut was, however, against Adrian Peterson, his fellow NFL star. The boxing duel took place in September 2022. Besides his gridiron skills, Bell found his new identity as a boxer.
He went out with a spectacular start. As with his amateur debut, he scored a fifth-round knockout of Peterson. But unfortunately, his pro debut was not that smooth. In October 2022, he lost to the former UFC middleweight contender, Uriah Hall. As per speculation, Bell is attempting to return to Pittsburgh.
Bell’s time with the Steelers
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The player had amassed 7,996 scrimmage yards in his career of five years, along with 42 scores. During his time with the Steelers, Bell was once among the best overall running backs in the NFL. Even though he has been away from the field since the 2021 NFL season, he recently confessed his desire to return to the league.
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The confession came through his Snapchat account, “I’m telling y’all right now, when I go out there and train in March, and if I hit April and I make the decision to come back to play in the NFL again, mark my words down, I will be better than I ever was, ever. And I will only come back for that one team. I don’t gotta say no team, y’all know who it is.” In his five seasons with the Steelers franchise, he was chosen for the All-Pro team three times.
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Bell confirmed that he has never retired since he has been away from the league for quite a long time. This adds up to the rumor that he is all geared up to break the hiatus and is likely targeting the Steelers as his preferred destination.