Houston, TX, July 9, 2025 – Joe “Baby Joe” Castaneda, a professional poker player, has signed a contract with Celebrity Boxing to face NFL legend Adrian Peterson in a sanctioned boxing match, as reported by TMZ Sports. The agreement, formalized on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch following a viral brawl between the two at a Houston social club on May 27, 2025.

The altercation stemmed from a heated poker game at JokerStars, where Castaneda confronted Peterson over trash-talking directed at one of his friends. The dispute escalated into a physical scuffle, with both men exchanging punches and sustaining minor injuries—Castaneda reported a bloody nose, while Peterson attributed his facial injury to falling into a chair. Despite the incident, both have since reconciled, with Castaneda stating, “We’re cool,” and describing the fight as a “brother situation” where they “got it out of our system.”

Celebrity Boxing founder Damon Feldman, seizing on the viral attention, offered both men a chance to settle their differences in the ring. Castaneda, 47, expressed enthusiasm, saying, “Time to get in shape and sharpening up these hands to put on a show!!! Baby Joe is here for all the smoke!!!” While Castaneda has no formal boxing experience, his willingness to fight hinges on appropriate financial compensation. Peterson, 40, a former NFL MVP with prior celebrity boxing experience—having faced Le’Veon Bell in a 2022 TKO loss—has yet to sign the contract, though Feldman expects a deal soon.

No official fight date has been announced, but the event is poised to capitalize on the public’s fascination with celebrity boxing, a growing trend featuring athletes, influencers, and reality stars. The bout, if finalized, will likely draw significant pay-per-view interest, given Peterson’s fame and the viral backstory. For updates, follow Celebrity Boxing’s announcements or visit tmz.com.