<
        >

          Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul undercard: The sports world reacts to Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson's boxing debut

          Former All-Pro NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson, right, made his boxing debut on Sunday against Brian Maxwell. Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images
          • ESPN
          Jun 6, 2021, 09:22 PM ET

          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.