Former WWE Star Velveteen Dream Set for Boxing Debut as Patrick Clark

Velveteen Dream boxing debut is officially on the horizon, with former WWE Superstar Patrick Clark Jr. scheduled to compete in his first professional boxing bout later this month.

The former NXT North American Champion has been away from WWE for more than five years, but he is now preparing for a new chapter in combat sports. Clark will step into the boxing ring under his real name when he faces Ryan Pownall at Duel: Arena.

Velveteen Dream’s boxing debut confirmed

The boxing promotion Duel Arena announced that Patrick Clark Jr. will compete against Ryan Pownall at an event scheduled for August 29 at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.

Pownall is known as the host of the Pillow Fight podcast, while Clark is best known to wrestling fans by his former WWE ring name, Velveteen Dream.

Duel Arena announced the matchup on social media, confirming that the two fighters will compete on the card in Orlando. The bout is expected to mark a significant change in direction for Clark after his wrestling career came to an end.

Patrick Clark moves from professional wrestling to boxing

Clark became a prominent figure in WWE’s developmental brand NXT, where he competed as the Velveteen Dream. His character work and in-ring performances helped him become one of the company’s most recognizable young stars during his time in NXT.

One of the biggest accomplishments of his WWE career came when he won the NXT North American Championship. His run in NXT established him as a performer with significant potential, but his wrestling career eventually came to an end.

WWE released Clark in 2021 following controversy surrounding allegations of inappropriate online conduct involving minors. Clark has denied wrongdoing and has previously stated publicly that he was never charged in connection with the allegations.

Velveteen Dream previously addressed WWE return hopes

Clark has remained outspoken about his professional wrestling career since leaving WWE. In 2025, he used social media to discuss the controversy surrounding his departure and expressed his desire to return to the company.

At the time, Clark argued that people who had accused him should apologize, pointing to the fact that he had not been criminally charged over the allegations. He also launched a social-media campaign calling for WWE officials to consider bringing him back.

Despite his public efforts, Clark did not return to WWE. His latest move into boxing now appears to represent a new direction in his professional career.

Patrick Clark will compete at Duel: Arena

The upcoming boxing match will take place on August 29 at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. Clark will compete under the name Patrick Clark Jr., rather than his former WWE identity.

The event is also scheduled to feature a high-profile main event between Dillon Danis and Mike Perry, giving Clark’s boxing debut a prominent place on the card.

For Clark, the fight represents an opportunity to establish himself in another combat sport after spending years in professional wrestling. His experience performing inside a wrestling ring could provide familiarity with combat-sports presentation, although boxing requires a very different skill set and competitive approach.

What comes next for the former WWE star?

Clark’s transition from wrestling to boxing will be closely watched by fans who remember his time in NXT. His first fight will provide an early indication of whether he intends to pursue boxing as a serious long-term career.

The move also gives Clark an opportunity to build a new identity outside professional wrestling. Rather than returning immediately to WWE, he is now preparing for a completely different challenge inside the boxing ring.

With his August 29 fight against Ryan Pownall confirmed, the former Velveteen Dream has officially begun the next chapter of his combat-sports career.

Velveteen Dream boxing debut: Key details

• Fighter: Patrick Clark Jr., formerly known as Velveteen Dream
• Opponent: Ryan Pownall
• Sport: Boxing
• Date: August 29, 2026
• Venue: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
• Promotion: Duel Arena
• Main event: Dillon Danis vs Mike Perry

Conclusion

The Velveteen Dream boxing debut marks a major career change for Patrick Clark Jr. After becoming a familiar name during his WWE and NXT career, Clark is now preparing to test himself in boxing.

His fight against Ryan Pownall on August 29 will be the first major step in determining whether boxing becomes the former WWE star’s next long-term career path.