Javon Bullard’s new offseason obsession is already paying off for the Packers

Green Bay Packers defensive back Javon Bullard believes the difference between a missed opportunity and a game-changing turnover comes down to timing. That’s one of the reasons he spent part of his offseason picking up an unexpected new hobby—boxing.

The 2024 second-round pick turned to the sport to improve both his conditioning and hand-eye coordination, but he quickly discovered there was much more to it than throwing punches.

“I’ve grown to love it,” Bullard said. “I think it’s a real skill, but the timing of things, man, is really a beauty to watch.”

That newfound appreciation for precision is already carrying over to the football field.

During Thursday’s training camp practice, Packers defensive backs worked on a turnover drill that required them to dive onto a mat while punching the football free from a teammate’s grasp. For Bullard, the exercise mirrored what he had been learning in the boxing gym.

He explained that forcing a fumble isn’t about swinging wildly at the ball. Instead, it’s about striking at the exact moment the football is exposed—a concept that closely resembles landing the perfect punch in boxing.

Bullard reveals the unusual training 

“I punched my ass off last year, and I didn’t get nothing out,” Bullard said. “I’m hitting helmets. I’m hitting everything but the ball. It’s really about precision and accuracy … that timing is impeccable. You gotta be right on point.”

The extra work appeared to pay immediate dividends.

Later in Thursday’s practice, Bullard stripped the football from wide receiver Skyy Moore, with fellow safety Xavier McKinney recovering the loose ball. Bullard celebrated the takeaway, a promising sign that his offseason training may already be making a difference.

Turnovers are an area where Green Bay hopes to improve in 2026. The Packers finished tied for 18th in the NFL with just seven forced fumbles last season, while Bullard, despite playing roughly 65 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, failed to record one.

Now entering his third NFL season, Bullard is determined to change that narrative. If his boxing training continues translating into more forced fumbles, the Packers’ defense could become significantly more disruptive.

Sometimes the smallest adjustment makes the biggest impact, and for Bullard, stepping into the boxing ring may prove to be a knockout decision.

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