Ne-Yo launches new career as a boxing manager… and he’s already signed his first client
Singer-songwriter and actor Ne-Yo has added a new profession to his already cramped business card: Boxing manager.
And the 43-year-old born Shaffer Chimere Smith isn’t wasting any time, having already signed his first client.
Paul Bamba, an 18-3 cruiserweight from Puerto Rico, has signed with the platinum-certified artist ahead of his December 21 bout with former super middleweight contender Rogelio ‘Porky’ Medina of Mexico. That fight will take place just outside of Staten Island, New York in Carteret, New Jersey.
‘I’m honored to work with NE-YO in this capacity and I’m grateful for his unwavering confidence in me,’ Bamba, the WBA NABA Cruiserweight champ, said in a statement.
‘I know he has the ability to open new doors and create opportunities for me to elevate as a fighter. It’s going to be an exciting new chapter.’
Singer-songwriter and actor Ne-Yo has added a new profession to his already cramped business card: Boxing manager. And the 43-year-old isn’t wasting any time
Paul Bamba, an 18-3 cruiserweight, has signed with the platinum-certified artist ahead of his December 21 bout with former super middleweight contender Rogelio ‘Porky’ Medina
Ne-Yo is not a neophyte when it comes to combat sports. He’s already worked with Bamba in the gym and last month took a Muay Thai class in the sport’s homeland.
‘I’ve always been a martial arts fan, so I was excited to take my first professional Muaythai (sic) class while I had some downtime from the tour in Thailand,’ he wrote on Instagram. ‘Trust me, it looks a lot easier than it actually is.’
‘Outdoor gym w/ the boys @neyo & @bambajuice,’ he wrote. ‘Sweat more, bleed less! #Focused’
Since losing to Chris Avila by unanimous decision in 2023, has 13 straight knockouts over a very busy 2024.
However, Bamba is still searching for his first signature victory at age 35.
