When three-time Grammy winner Ne-Yo enters the stage for the Big 12 Championship game’s halftime on December 7, it will be a familiar sight.
Known for his hooks on songs like “So Sick” and “Miss Independent,” the seductive vocalist has been a mainstay on the radio for almost 20 years. He has been an R&B legend since the mid-aughts.
However, you might hear Ne-Yo’s songs at a completely other athletic event a few weeks later on a completely different level. Paul Bamba will compete against Rogelio Porky Medina for the WBA Gold Cruiserweight World Title on December 21. And Shaffer Smith—better known by his stage name, Ne-Yo—is Bamba’s manager.
To tell the truth? Ne-Yo explained his decision to enter the boxing world to NBC News, saying, “Just believe in the fighter.” It all made sense when I realized where I could help him and where he could help me. When you don’t shoot, you miss 100% of the shots. So let me test it out and see what it’s about.
The musician, who was reared primarily in Las Vegas but was born in Arkansas, claims to have spent the majority of his childhood as a boxing lover. He attributes his early exposure to the sport to his uncles. Prior to being a singer, Ne-Yo was also involved in combat sports because his mother had taken him to martial arts training when he was a little boy.
Additionally, Ne-Yo has included boxing in his exercise regimen for well over a decade. The singer first connected with Bamba about 18 months ago through a common connection, primarily to assist Ne-Yo with his training in Los Angeles. However, after Ne-Yo was struck by Bamba’s motivation and commitment to a cause, their connection quickly developed into a professional one.
The singer says, “You’d be surprised how rare that is nowadays.” As if everyone wants to be handed something. Do you understand? The quick and simple way is what everyone desires. Paul Bamba isn’t one of those cats, either.
Ne-Yo says he’s still learning on the job and doesn’t expect to become Don King tomorrow, but he does think he can leverage his entertainment business expertise to help Bamba in his career. Ne-Yo claims that there are similarities between boxing and entertainment, particularly in the way that the most captivating story may draw the most attention.
The 35-year-old Bamba has undoubtedly had an impressive run to the battle next month. After his stint finished, Bamba, a retired Marine who served in Iraq, found himself homeless. In order to support himself, he began boxing, sparring with local amateurs for $10 per session. Bamba has already engaged in 13 fights in 2024, all of which he has won by knockout.
Ne-Yo claims that he has chosen to support Bamba because, in addition to the story, there must be talent.
Ne-Yo adds that exposure is one area in which I can undoubtedly assist him. I’ll do my bit as long as he keeps doing what he’s doing, which is knocking people out. I will ensure that everyone is aware of his name.
In order to aid in such exposure, he can also offer some music. According to Ne-Yo, his and Calvin Harris’s popular song “Let’s Go” would be the ideal song for Bamba to walk to the ring. In the song video, Ne-Yo can be seen boxing.
Bamba informed NBC News that he had an R&B artist as his manager, saying, “I think it’s dope.” People who achieve the level of recognition he has do not invest their time in someone unless they genuinely believe it would be worthwhile. Let’s just say I can’t BS him even if I wanted to, given his believe in me.
Ne-Yo and Bamba are both dedicated to promoting the boxer, mostly by targeting the biggest stars in the industry.
Tommy Fury, a boxer and reality TV personality, was scheduled to face Bamba in November 2022, but the match was canceled since Fury was unable to maintain his weight. Even though a title bout is imminent, Bamba is now aiming for Jake Paul, the most contentious figure in sports.
In my opinion, Jake Paul is not as afraid to face me as Bamba and Tommy Fury were. I completely get the gimmick fights because I’m all for making money. He can come fight me after December, though, if you truly want to take boxing seriously and compete for a world title. In my opinion, I would f— Jake Paul.
Ne-Yo concurs, adding that he would love to assist with setup.
It’s about time Jake faced someone who could genuinely fight, in my opinion.
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