The Cincinnati Bengals may be getting new stripes, but a former player is getting a new ring.
Former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson will head to the boxing ring this summer for an exhibition bout against a still-unnamed opponent. The clash will be the undercard to the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Logan Paul fight on June 6 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Johnson announced the news during the May 3 episode of the I AM ATHLETE podcast, which he hosts with fellow former NFL players Brandon Marshall, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder. Mayweather's team confirmed the announcement to ESPN.
During the podcast, Johnson said that the opportunity was one he "couldn't really pass up."
"Everything in life, I'm good at — outside of golf. I can't do that (sound cut, but the word presumably was 'shit')," Johnson said.
The player formerly known as Ochocinco noted that he had trained at Mayweather's boxing club during the offseason, so the retired prize fighter's manager Leonard Ellerbe asked Johnson if he would be interested in a match. Ellerbe said that Johnson could make "a cool million" for a few rounds.
After considering the time it would take to prepare his body, Johnson, who is 43, agreed to the fight.
"June 6, 'Sweet Feet Johnson' gonna go in there," Johnson said, cracking his podcast mates up.
But Johnson was adamant about his chances.
"It doesn't matter who I'm facing. When I played on Sundays, even though it was a different sport, there was one thing I brought to the table — you knew you were going to get your money's worth," he said. "I don't like to get hit, because I look good."
Johnson spent 10 seasons with the Bengals and is the team's all-time leader in receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns.
He's been featured in recent promos for the Bengals' new uniforms and left a $1,000 tip at Rookwood's Redlands Grill on April 6.
Watch the podcast episode below.
