Boxing

Oscar De La Hoya said he can knock out Conor McGregor in 2 rounds ... and Conor McGregor says PROVE IT -- calling out the legend for a real-deal boxing match.

SO, WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?!? LET'S DO THIS!!!!

Here's how it all got started ... 47-year-old ODLH was asked about his chances against the 31-year-old UFC superstar earlier this week ... saying it would be a cakewalk.

"2 rounds," the Golden Boy told "The State of Combat" podcast. "Because one thing about me ... I went for the kill always."

"And look, Conor McGregor is – I love him in the Octagon. I respect him. I watch him all the time."

"But, the boxing ring is a whole different story. It’s a whole different story."

Conor -- who's always wanted a second shot at a boxing match following his loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 -- heard what ODLH had to say ... and he wants the legend to put his money where his mouth is ... IN THE RING!!!

"I accept your challenge, Oscar de la Hoya," Conor tweeted.

Now, Oscar (39-6) hasn't had a pro fight since losing to Manny Pacquiao in 2008 by a referee technical decision ... but the Golden Boy's confident he can shake off any ring rust against the 0-1 Conor.

Remember, ODLH made a similar threat to Conor back in 2017 ... saying he was in shape and ready to throw down with the Notorious.

There's only one way to find out -- PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

If Mike Tyson is serious about a comeback ... $1 MILLION has already been put on the table for an exhibition match in Australia -- with a promoter wanting Iron Mike to fight a former rugby star!

Australian boxing matchmaker Brian Amatruda says he's already reached out to Tyson's camp with the offer ... and sees pro-rugby-players-turned-boxers Barry Hall, Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams as potential opponents.

"He might be 53 years old but he's still a huge name," Amatruda told The Daily Mail this week, "and any of those blokes Hall, Gallen or Sonny Bill would jump at the chance to get into the ring with him."

Amatruda says the event would be MASSIVE -- and while he admits the charity fight couldn't take place until the coronavirus pandemic clears up, he says THOUSANDS would flock to see it go down.

"I'd hold it at Melbourne Arena where we'd get over 10,000 or even Princes Park where they got 30,000 for Jeff Fenech versus Azumah Nelson," Amatruda said.

"It would be enormous," he added. "Not just a fight, it would be an event."

Of course, it remains to be seen if Tyson is even serious about a return to the ring.

The boxing legend posted a clip of him recently terrorizing mitts in a scary training sesh and did tell rapper T.I. he's interested in taking some exhibition fights to raise money for charities.

But, Tyson also famously told Joe Rogan just last year he stopped training because he didn't want to turn into a version of himself that he was trying to forget.

If Mike is down and chooses to pass on the Australia match ... Shawn Porter tells TMZ Sports he wouldn't mind seeing Tyson return for a rematch with Evander Holyfield!

If Mike Tyson is serious about a comeback -- and wants an exhibition fight -- HOW ABOUT A REMATCH WITH EVANDER HOLYFIELD!!

That's what boxing star Shawn Porter wants to see ... telling TMZ Sports, "To see him in the ring in an exhibition against Holyfield would be amazing."

53-year-old Iron Mike set the boxing world on fire this week after posting new training footage ... and even though the clip is short, he looks as explosive as ever.

"Just to see that small combination that he threw with the velocity he was throwing it at, and again the integrity that came along with it was very special for me," Porter explained.

"His technique looked phenomenal."

Of course, Tyson fought Holyfield twice -- losing by TKO in '96 and losing by DQ for biting off Evander's ear in '97.

But, Tyson says he's a changed man now -- and he's actually become friendly with Holyfield over the years, even joking about the ear.

So, with Evander now doing exhibition fights all over the world ... it's possible they could strike a deal for a 3rd fight -- and Porter says he'd absolutely be down to watch!

There's more ...

32-year-old Porter -- a 2-time welterweight champ -- also tells us how he's staying in shape during the COVID-19 pandemic and why he's still hoping to fight before the end of the year.

"As far as I know, boxing will hopefully be back before the end of the year and I think I want to be one of the first guys to get back in there and do it."

The Mountain from "Game of Thrones" just broke an almighty weightlifting record that once belonged to his archrival ... and now, he wants to break the dude's face in the ring.

Hafthor Bjornsson -- who played The Hound's brother on the hit HBO series -- set a new world record Saturday by deadlifting 501 kilograms (about 1,104 lbs) and staying standing upon releasing the massive weight, while he was getting gassed up by his squad nearby.

It's an incredible feat, and before this ... his muscle-man foe, Eddie Hall, held the record at 500 kg from just a few years ago when he deadlifted at the World Deadlift Championships.

It should be noted that Eddie went down in utter exhaustion after his lift, BUT ... he did hold the bar up longer than Thor did. In any case, The Mountain's got him beat with this latest show of strength, but the feud's not over ... 'cause the guy wants to settle this once and for all in the ring -- as in boxing. He said as much in a post-interview, where he challenged Eddie to a fight in the ring, during which he says he wants to dole out a KO.

Welp, Eddie has already responded to the call ... saying he will "1,000 percent sign those papers" while going on to explain it's not for money or glory, but to teach The Mountain a lesson after he apparently called Eddie a cheat at a competition they were both in once upon a time.

EH also makes a point to say he was never naive enough to think no one would ever beat his record -- but it sounds like this bitter rivalry will, in fact, end up with gloves on.

Welp, this is frightening ... 53-year-old Mike Tyson is back in boxing mode -- AND HE LOOKS LIKE A KILLER!!

A rep for Iron Mike confirms this footage was shot a few days ago as part of a promotional deal with Sony ... but damn, HE LOOKS TERRIFYING!

Just last year, Tyson told Joe Rogan he cut training out of his life completely because the adrenaline rush reminded him of the old, bad Mike Tyson ... the one he was trying to forget.

But recently, Tyson has been kicking around the idea of a comeback -- telling rapper T.I. he's interested in taking some exhibition fights to raise money for charities.

"I want to go to the gym and get in shape to be able to box 3 or 4 round exhibitions for some charities and stuff," Tyson said.

"Some charity exhibitions, make some money, help some homeless and drug-affected motherf**kers like me."

Well, he wasn't BSing ... Tyson really did strap on the gloves and he looks as explosive as ever.

Mike Tyson says if Floyd Mayweather wants to be the best trainer alive, he'll be the best trainer ... telling TMZ Sports boxing's Floyd's life, and TMT will CRUSH IT on the other side of the mitts.

Remember, Floyd revealed his newest passion earlier this month ... saying he's using his knowledge to help the next generation of boxers.

We spoke with one of the best to ever do it -- Iron Mike -- who says it's rare for a boxing superstar to successfully transition to training ... but Floyd's different than your average former champ.

"Mostly, the guy that's the great trainer is not the great fighter and that's why he becomes the great trainer," Tyson tells us.

So, what separates Floyd from the rest?

"I give Floyd a good chance because Floyd's a gym rat, that's all he does."

"You see him in the club for one week but he's in the gym every day for 25 years. Even when he goes out and party, he's back in the gym the next day. He does it in his sleep, this is what he do."

FYI, there's a track record in the Mayweather family. Money's longtime trainer and uncle -- Roger Mayweather -- was a 2-weight boxing champion who flawlessly transitioned into his role as Floyd's coach ... before passing away in March.

Tyson points out Floyd is ALWAYS in shape and could be ready to fight at any time (Hi, Conor!) ... and that discipline is what separates Mayweather from everyone else.

"His lifestyle is predictable to a long duration athletic range."

If Tyson says it ... we ain't gonna disagree.

Floyd Mayweather is taking his talents to the other side of the mitts -- TBE says he's decided to become a boxing trainer ... and he's gunning to be the BEST.

Money sent out a heartfelt message on his new endeavor on Friday ... saying he's been inspired to help others find greatness through the sport in wake of his Uncle Roger's passing.

Of course, Roger was a legendary trainer ... and is credited for turning Floyd into the 50-0 boxing megastar he is today.

Floyd says he's going to use the downtime created by the coronavirus pandemic to help others fall in love with the sport the same way he did.

"In a time where we must distance ourselves from others, it has allowed me to reflect on how I want to make a difference in people lives and help them achieve their goals."

Floyd's first clients?? His oldest son, Koraun, and his nephew, Chris ... who could someday carry on the family legacy.

"It has become a goal of mine to help others reach the best versions of themselves and walk with it in confidence."

Floyd continued ... "I want to do my part on this Earth and allow people to see the potential in themselves so that they can share it with the world."

Floyd makes his ambitions clear -- this isn't just a hobby ... he wants to go down as a legendary boxing trainer, just like his uncle.

"But I promise you, I will be one of the best trainers in the world."

Floyd's entire explanation is powerful ... and you can read it below.

Floyd Mayweather's daughter, Iyanna, has been arrested for felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, TMZ has learned, and it appears to have been a confrontation over NBA Youngboy.

Iyanna Mayweather is currently in Houston's Harris County jail after getting arrested at 1:30 AM Saturday. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, the alleged victim and NBA Youngboy were at his home when Iyanna arrived and told the woman, Lapattra Lashai Jacobs, she was Youngboy's fiancee and Jacobs should leave the house. Jacobs then told Iyanna to leave.

We're told the argument moved into the kitchen, where Iyanna was holding 2 knives. According to our sources, Jacobs stepped toward Iyanna and Iyanna charged at her with one of the knives. Jacobs told cops she didn't feel the first knife wound but then she said Iyanna charged at her with the second knife, stabbing her again.

When EMTs arrived, Jacobs was laying on the floor. She was taken to the hospital. We do not know her condition.

Youngboy, who was home at the time, was briefly handcuffed by cops -- presumably as a precautionary measure -- before being released.

Iyanna told cops Jacobs had incited her by initially pulling her hair outside the house and then running into the kitchen, where the confrontation went down.

Iyanna told cops she had never met Jacobs before.

Cris Cyborg is a living, breathing MMA legend who paved the way for women in mixed martial arts ... but her next fight, well it ain't gonna be in the cage, 'cause she wants to box!!

TMZ Sports talked to the 34-year-old Bellator featherweight champ -- the only fighter in history to hold titles in 4 major MMA promotions (UFC, Bellator, Strikeforce & Invicta FC) -- and when we asked Justino who she planned to beat up next, her answer was surprising.

"I'm training a lot in boxing now. I was thinking about maybe I do my next fight in boxing," Cyborg tells us.

Over her 15-year professional fighting career, Justino has NEVER competed in a boxing match ... but that doesn't mean she's looking for an easy opponent.

"Me and Cecilia Braekhus always talk back and forth. But, you know, I'm training," Cyborg says.

"I think everyone is gonna be a very good match for me. It's gonna be a great fight. I like to challenge myself. I never look for the easy way. I like to train hard, and make the best fight for my career, for my fans."

Braekhus is a BEAST!! She's 36-0 and is hands down one of the scariest women in the world ... but Cyborg isn't intimidated.

"I always compete in everything, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, MMA, jiu-jitsu, grappling. But, I never got the opportunity [to fight] Muay Thai, I never got the opportunity to fight box. For me, it's gonna be an honor to fight her."

For the record, Cyborg says Bellator boss Scott Coker is cool with her move to pugilism ... and Cris says this move doesn't mean she's done fighting MMA.

But, before anyone beats each other up, the world has to beat coronavirus ... and Cyborg's doing her part to keep people healthy and fit by leading online workout classes during the quarantine.

Lose weight AND learn to beat somebody's ass ... all from the comfort of your living room.