In this week’s installment of “Ochocinco, as The World Turns,” Chad challenges Shawne Merriman to a boxing match.

Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco and Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman are known for their talk on the field, but it’s their online chatter that’s becoming good offseason entertainment.

Ochocinco said this week on the social networking site Twitter that he was confident the Bengals would win the Week 15 matchup between the two teams and challenged Merriman and the San Diego defense.

Merriman’s reply of “Are you serious?” prompted Ochocinco to challenge the Chargers OL to a boxing match. The receiver, who is sparring this offseason, also posted: “Shawne Merriman tryin to stop Ocho Cinco, CHILD PLEASE, better chance at finding Osama!”

In response, the Chargers linebacker, who’s working his way back from knee surgery last season, posted a video of himself sparring, looking ready to shut up the Bengals receiver Ochocinco.

A brief tale of the tape gives the advantage to Merriman, who’s 6-foot-4 and 272 pounds compared to Ochocinco, who’s 6-1, 192.

As usual, Ocho is just goofing around trying to get a rise out of people. Two weeks ago he put fake tattoos on his face, last week he said he as staying at Carson Palmer’s house for the summer and this week he’s challenging Merriman to a fight. It’s all an act.

Glad to see he’s having fun again, although I’ll reserve laughing until he actually puts up good numbers this season.