Adrian Peterson receives celebrity boxing offer to settle poker room dispute after recent fistfight

On May 27, former NFL running back Adrian Peterson had a physical altercation with a poker player at a social club in Houston, Texas, according to TMZ Sports. Peterson and the other man — who was Peterson’s friend — exchanged numerous punches.

Peterson said he and his friend were involved in a disagreement while at the table. He then said, “One thing led to another,” and they began to fight. Now, the two men have the opportunity to settle their dispute in a more official manner.

“Damon Feldman, the founder of Celebrity Boxing, tells TMZ Sports … he wants to make a real scrap between Peterson and Joe ‘Baby Joe’ Castaneda happen after he saw the two go at it over cards at social club in Houston, Texas in May,” TMZ Sports reported.

“At least one half of the combatants has expressed interest in mixing it up in the squared circle — as Castaneda told us last week he’d be down to put on the gloves for the right price.”

As of this report, Peterson hasn’t revealed whether he’d be interested in accepting Feldman’s offer. However, it wouldn’t be the first time the former NFL MVP has stepped into a ring.

In September 2022, Peterson fought fellow NFL veteran running back Le’Veon Bell in a celebrity boxing match. Peterson was defeated by Bell in the fifth round, via technical knockout, after he was knocked down and unable to continue.

Peterson’s friend, Joe Castaneda, might not be as physically imposing as Le’Veon Bell, but he could be seen landing several shots on Peterson in a video released by TMZ Sports. Adrian Peterson and the poker player had bloody wounds on their faces after the altercation, according to TMZ Sports. Alas, Peterson told the outlet that he suffered his injury after he fell into a chair — not from a punch. 

“Me and the guy, we’re cool,” Peterson said. “We’ve known each other. It was literally like a brother situation. We agreed to disagree, we had our words, and we threw blows – and that was it.

“I felt really bad,” Peterson added. “It’s a situation where I kind of regret it.”

Peterson and Castaneda reportedly made up after the fight, and the police weren’t called. Nonetheless, Feldman’s offer could potentially re-ignite the beef between the two men. After all, Peterson has an undeniable competitive streak.

In 14 years in the NFL, Peterson was named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro Team seven times, led the NFL in rushing yards three times (2008, 2012, 2015), was named Offensive Rookie of the Year (2007) and Offensive Player of the Year (2012) and won the NFL MVP award (2012). Perhaps Peterson will put his competitive nature to his use in the boxing ring in the near future.