Brian Maxwell vs. Chad Johnson
June 6, 2021 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Brian Maxwell / Chad Johnson
(Get latest betting odds)
Chad Johnson and Brian Maxwell fight Sunday at the Hard Rock Stadium in an exhibition boxing match.
Chad Johnson will make his boxing debut in this fight, as he’s a retired 43-year-old NFL wide receiver. Johnson stands at 6’1” and is still in terrific shape, often posting workout videos on social media and training with current NFL players. It’s hard to get a feel in terms of Johnson’s boxing ability given we’ve never seen him fight. However, there’s no doubt he’s an elite athlete and there’s still something there despite his age.
Ochocinco admits to being a fan of boxing and he’s no stranger to trying out the box things. He’s participated in soccer, bull riding, reality television and acting. On the football field, Johnson had terrific footwork and lengthy arms, two things that should help him in the ring. Still, there’s only one way to find out if Johnson can actually be effective in this field or if it’s simply a money grab.
Brian Maxwell is a 33-year-old MMA fighter who has a 2-2 record and most recently beat Eric Ellerbee at Elite Warrior Challenge 20 in 2019. Maxwell also has a background in Muay Thai, wrestling before his MMA career and has dabbled in Bare Knuckle Fighting. Both of Maxwell’s MMA victories have come by submission.
Maxwell is riding a four-fight losing streak when you consider three losses in Bare Knuckle bouts and a boxing loss back in February to Gaspard Pierre. The results don’t do Maxwell justice, but he should like his chances against a retired football player with no fighting background.
I doubt there’s going to be an actual betting line for this fight. But it was interesting enough to give a prediction anyway. For Johnson, this feels like an attempt at an easy check or something to cross off the bucket list. Maxwell isn’t a household name or somebody to fear as a pro fighter. But his experience in various arts makes him the overwhelming favorite here.
There’s no excuse for Maxwell to lose this fight, exhibition or not. This will be the biggest audience Maxwell has had, so there’s reason for him to put on a show.
Give me Maxwell in a victory.
