Chad Johnson made a name for himself over the course of more than a decade in the NFL, as a six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and for a cavalcade of antics both on and off the field, including legally changing his last name to “Ochocinco” to match his number.
Johnson, 43, stepped into an entirely different sports world on Sunday on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Logan Paul boxing match, taking part in a four-round exhibition fight against 33-year-old Brian Maxwell to open the pay-per-view portion of the card.
Despite getting knocked down late in the contest — an exhibition bout with no judges, meaning there was no winner or loser declared — Johnson drew praise from NFL players, past and present, for his performance inside the ring. Current UFC fighters Jorge Masvidal and Tim Means joined in on congratulating Johnson for his performance and taking the fight, as did a couple of current NBA stars.
Great job @ochocinco you made us Miami boys proud #MayweatherPaul
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) June 7, 2021
OCHO VS SCIENCE! Salute brother! @ochocinco ??
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 7, 2021
@ochocinco didn’t embarrass himself AT ALL tonight. The jab and that hook looked sharp. Can’t wait to see the next one ✊?
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) June 7, 2021
Not a lot of people would’ve attempted this challenge. Much respect bro! @ochocinco
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 7, 2021
Respect! @ochocinco
— Terry McLaurin (@TheTerry_25) June 7, 2021
@ochocinco ❤️??✊?
— Thurman Thomas (@thurmanthomas) June 7, 2021
Thought @ochocinco represented very well tonight. Your thoughts?
— David Akers (@David2Akers) June 7, 2021
I respect @ochocinco for getting in that ring fasho ?
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) June 7, 2021
We love you @ochocinco ! Always had heart ! ????? @Bengals #Whodey
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) June 7, 2021
It was a fun fight to watch and despite the knockdown @ochocinco still won
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 7, 2021
Man respect to @ochocinco!
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) June 7, 2021
@ochocinco ? I’m still rockin with ya ?? idc
— Lynn Bowden Jr (@LynnBowden_1) June 7, 2021
Shoutout to @ochocinco
— James White (@Flight8) June 7, 2021
@ochocinco Respect OG!!
— Dominique Franks (@DFranks24) June 7, 2021
@ochocinco respect for stepping in.
— tim means (@MeansTim) June 7, 2021
Aye when the commentators said it looks like Ochocinco was fighting in a Waffle House parking lot I was dead??
— Branden Bowen (@BrandenBowen) June 7, 2021