This matchup follows a tradition of “physicality bets” in poker
High-stakes poker professional and two-time WSOP bracelet winner Dan “Jungleman” Cates is scheduled to make his sanctioned boxing debut on January 22. The event is sanctioned by the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) and will take place at the Beverly Hills Fight Club in Southern California.
Cates is set to face off against “Elf,” a prominent poker player and host of The Elf Show on X. While Cates has a long history of engaging in eccentric physical “prop bets” within the poker community—including a highly publicized but unmaterialized challenge against Timofey Kuznetsov—this match represents his first formal entry into a regulated combat sports environment.
The bout is one of five fights on the evening’s card and will be held before an invitation-only audience of approximately 250 guests, though it is expected to be streamed for the wider poker community.
Early community sentiment and betting markets show high volatility for the match, as both participants claim to have minimal formal combat training prior to their current training camps. Cates, known for his intense and often unpredictable persona at the poker table, has reportedly integrated a rigorous conditioning regimen to prepare for the physical demands of the ring. His opponent, Elf, has also documented a significant physical transformation, leading some community members to favor him in early odds.
This matchup follows a tradition of “physicality bets” in poker, such as the 2009 match between Lex Veldhuis and Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier. However, the involvement of the IKF marks a shift toward professional oversight and safety protocols. The match serves as a high-profile example of the intersection between high-stakes gambling culture and competitive athletics, with significant side bets likely being negotiated between spectators and the participants themselves.
