NFL running back Adrian Peterson and Joe Castaneda might settle their difference in the ring
A poker room brawl involving former NFL running back Adrian Peterson might be turning into a Pay-Per-View boxing event. The incident, which occurred in May at JokerStars card room in Houston, involved Peterson and fellow poker player Joe “Baby Joe” Castaneda exchanging punches during a heated dispute at the table. Now, Castaneda says he’s open to running it back—this time for money and with gloves on.
Peterson, who retired from professional football in 2021 after 15 seasons and several Pro Bowl appearances, has shifted his focus to poker. He’s been a regular at various Texas poker clubs and has made appearances on Hustler Casino Live and the Celebrity Poker Tour. Despite his poker credentials, he’s become just as known for the JokerStars altercation, which gained national attention after TMZ leaked a video of the fight.
The footage showed both men landing shots in a brief but intense exchange. Neither was clearly dominant, and the fight was quickly broken up. While both players have since said the issue is behind them and that they remain friends, Castaneda sees a potential business opportunity in revisiting the skirmish under sanctioned rules.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, the 47-year-old Castaneda said he’s open to boxing Peterson if there’s money to be made. “I wouldn’t shy away from it,” he said. Castaneda added that he isn’t sure whether Peterson would agree, but he’s hopeful.
Peterson does have prior boxing experience, though it wasn’t memorable for the right reasons. In 2022, he lost an exhibition bout to former NFL star Le’Veon Bell via knockout.
The setting of their original scuffle, JokerStars, was already under scrutiny. Days after the fight, the card room was in the spotlight again when authorities uncovered a cheating ring involving RFID tech and a hidden reader.
Whether this poker room feud makes it to a pay-per-view event remains to be seen, but there’s clearly interest in turning a viral moment into a televised showdown.
