Boxing

Will Smith was in a dark place after he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, but he had a champion in his corner -- the actor says Floyd Mayweather called him every day for 10-straight days after the incident, just to make sure he was doing okay.

Smith made the revelation during a private screening of his new "Emancipation" movie at The London hotel ... and with Floyd in attendance, he took a moment to praise TBE for being there for him, even though they weren't exactly best buds at the time.

"I want to say something also about Floyd," Smith said in video obtained by TMZ Sports. "So, we've met each other, we've seen each other around, but we weren't like, friends."

"And, the day after the Oscars, for 10 days he called me every day," Smith added. "And, he was like, 'Ay, you know you the champ, right? You good? You know you the champ, right? I want you to hear my voice say it,'"

"That was every day he called me ... and it's like, that's my dude forever right there."

Smith has rarely spoken about the slapping incident -- he only released an apology video back in July -- so to hear him go into detail about the days following the incident is incredibly rare.

As for the film, Mayweather loved it.

“Emancipation captures an important time in history. The movie has me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire film,” Floyd tells us.

Producer Deon Taylor, Floyd's partner on his upcoming docuseries, "The GOAT," also spoke at the screening. Jona Rechnitz and James McNair, part of the production team, were also in the house for the viewing.

This is really sweet.

Floyd Mayweather didn't only hook up two young fans in a major way, gracing the boys with some spending cash and a promise of tickets to an NBA game ... the boxing legend spent quality time with the youngsters, and even gave an impromptu "interview."

We're told the two young fans were selling candy/waiting for Floyd outside the Ritz in Los Angeles. When Mayweather saw them, he busted out his wallet and handed each a Benjamin ... and even answered a few hard-hitting questions.

"Floyd Mayweather, how do you feel about stopping boxing?" the future reporter asked.

TBE answered ... "You know how it is. Our philosophy is 'Never stop getting it!'"

The interviewer shot back, "The internet says you stopped boxing 'cause you're 40 years old."

Floyd laughed, amused by the question.

Mayweather also told the kids he was going to hook them up with some tickets to an upcoming NBA game at Crypto.com Arena.

And the kids were super excited! In fact, Floyd's buddy, Jona Rechnitz, says one of the kids, after learning about the tix, said "We always sell chocolates to people leaving the arena but we've never been inside the arena before."

Anderson Silva's fight with Jake Paul is still on -- the MMA legend has been cleared to compete in the boxing match, an Arizona athletic commission ruled Thursday night.

The big last-minute meeting was called after the website MMA Weekly posted an interview with Silva ... where the 47-year-old MMA G.O.A.T. admitted to being "knocked out" twice during a training session before the fight.

Anderson, who speaks English as a second language, quickly issued a statement saying he inadvertently used "knockout" instead of "knockdown." He also revealed the interview was almost 2 weeks old, despite just being released this week.

The Commission could've pulled Silva's license at any time ... so the meeting was a huge deal not just for Anderson.

Chairman Scott Fletcher said he was "completely comfortable" letting Silva fight ... after coming away satisfied with how well Anderson spoke when answering questions.

Commissioner Dr. Ara Feinstein, who's also a surgeon and ringside physician, reviewed Silva's neurological report and MRI, and saw no issues with the results.

"I was NEVER knocked out in sparring," Silva told us after the scandal broke, continuing ... "I misspoke in that interview as I sometimes do when interviewing in English and exaggerated the normal back-and-forth action that occurs in sparring."

"This sparring session I referenced was in early September. The interview with MMA Weekly was done on Sept. 13 and, for some reason, just released this week. So, it wasn't recent."

Cam Shaw -- an undefeated boxer from the U.K. -- tragically passed away this week ... after drowning while snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

He was only 25 years old.

The 4-0 featherweight fighter and his girlfriend met up with two of his friends in Cairns -- the gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef -- for a snorkeling experience on Monday.

Unfortunately, Shaw drowned during the expedition.

A Queensland Police spokesperson says Shaw's death is under investigation ... but "it is believed non-suspicious."

Shaw's father, Rod, told the York Press that he taught his son how to swim when he was almost three years old and he was a strong swimmer.

"He was a fit lad," Rod said.

"He had just spent a season in New Zealand and he wanted to see one of the seven wonders of the world - the Great Barrier Reef."

Shaw turned pro in 2019 after winning the Amateur Boxing Association's Elite 60KG title in 2018 and the gold medal at Hvidovre Box Cup in 2017. He went on to win his first four pro fights.

"Cam excelled at everything he did and we didn't realize just how popular he was until now," his father added. "We have been blown away."

Le'Veon Bell's decision to box former UFC fighter Uriah Hall has been questioned by many, and while almost everyone expects the former Pro Bowler to get rolled over, Bell tells us that's not how he sees it going ... he's planning to beat Hall's ass, and one day become champ!

"Honestly, I'm trying to be the best," 30-year-old Bell said when he joined Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs weekdays on FS1), adding ... "I wanna be a champion at some point."

The 5-time All-Pro is fighting 38-year-old Hall on the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva card on Showtime PPV ... and he's a heavy underdog against the former UFC title contender (Uriah beat "Spider," Chris Weidman, Gegard Mousasi in an MMA cage)

Bell -- who beat fellow NFL star Adrian Peterson in his first pro bout in September -- knows he has to go through tough opponents like Uriah if he wants to be a champion.

"The goal I have set in mind, I have to get in the ring with guys like Uriah Hall. He has a ton of experience, he has a lot of fighting background, and the direction I'm trying to go, I gotta beat guys like that. Step in the ring and beat him and Uriah Hall is the next guy."

And, Bell isn't content with just hanging in there ... he wants to end the night with his hand raised.

"I'm going in this fight like I'm trying to win. I got a mission. Uriah Hall is a guy who's on the route of my journey. He's one of those guys I gotta get through. He's gonna be probably one of the toughest guys I done fought because I done fought obviously, I only fought Adrian Peterson, but I haven't even sparred guys with 17 years of experience like Uriah Hall."

Le'Veon was previously rumored as an opponent of Jake Paul's ... so we asked LB if he was interested in fighting the Problem Child, should they both win.

"Yeah, the interest is definitely there, whether I'm the next opponent or whoever my next opponent is. I don't know. If Jake Paul wanna be fight number 2 professionally for me, that would be perfect."

Bell continued ... "Whatever guys that make sense and they put in front of me, I gotta take those guys out and keep on climbing up the ladder, 'cause like I said, I'm trying be a champion and whoever's in my way tryna stop me from that, I'm definitely willing to fight 'em."

Le'Veon last played NFL football in 2021 with the Bucs and Ravens ... and is still only 30. So, would he play again?

Check out the clip ... Bell says there's almost no chance he'd play again, unless one very particular situation presented itself.

The Problem Child looked more like the Problem Cowboy ahead of his fight against Anderson Silva ... 'cause Jake Paul showed up on horseback to his open workout on Wednesday!!

The undefeated boxer -- who's known for his grandiose antics before bouts -- decided to one-up himself in Phoenix ... by doing his best Canelo Alvarez impression and making friends with a foal.

Of course, Canelo is known for his love of animals ... and has showcased his horse-dancing skills over the years.

Paul eventually got off his horse and got to work ... showing off his moves in the ring.

But not only did Paul ride on a horse -- he had several HPs on his wrist, too ... with a Bugatti watch he wore to the open workout!!

TMZ Sports has learned, JP was rockin' a Bugatti Chiron 16-cylinder Tourbillon watch made by Jacob and Co.

The limited edition is designed with 18k of rose gold, anti-reflective sapphire crystals, and a 30-degree inclined Tourbillon cage. Unsure what Jakey dropped ... but we're told the retail price for this bling is $380k!!!

Silva also had his time to shine during his workout -- although, he did not have a horse.

Paul is now the favorite (-190) to beat Silva on Saturday ... after initially coming in as the underdog.

Silva says he's been training like crazy to prove the doubters wrong ... and after reports he was knocked out twice in sparring (which he says was NOT true), he released a statement confirming he's in fantastic fighting shape.

"I am fit and ready to fight and the only knockout people should be worried about is the one I'm about to deliver to Jake Paul on Saturday night."

Jake Paul's bad luck could strike once again -- his fight against Anderson Silva might be in trouble ... after the former UFC champ claimed he was knocked out twice during his last sparring session.

47-year-old Spider made the shocking comments in a video posted to MMA Weekly on Tuesday ... saying his workouts leading up to Saturday's fight in Phoenix were so grueling, he was KO'd twice.

"I'm training hard for the win," Silva told Jim Grieshaber. "I'm training with the good boxers, high-level, and five guys come to help me. "And the last sparring with [my partner], he knocked me out two times, and when I finish my training, I talked to my coach and even said, 'Coach, let me tell you something, why the guys knock me out two times?' And the coach said, 'You need to prepare for war, and you prepare for war.'"

Silva's statement caught the attention of the Arizona Department of Gaming -- the organization that oversees professional bouts in the state -- which told MMA Fighting it is "looking into the matter."

Here's the issue -- due to Silva's age, he must undergo rigorous testing in order to be cleared to fight ... which includes disclosing his most recent knockouts and the amount of time he was unconscious.

Silva's coach, Luiz Carlos Dorea, adamantly denied the fighter's claims ... saying he is 100% ready for the fight.

No update has been provided so far ... but Paul is clearly expecting to scrap on Saturday -- tweeting out, "3 days" as he continues to count down to the big event.

If Silva's revelation ruins the fight, it'll be the third time Paul has been left without an opponent ... after Tommy Fury and Hasim Rahman Jr. were forced to back out.

Here's hoping it doesn't come to that.

The boxing judge who Jake Paul said helped fix two recent, huge fights is now firing back at the former YouTube star ... suing the 25-year-old for defamation.

Glenn Feldman filed the suit in New York on Monday, TMZ Sports has learned ... claiming Paul "made outrageously false and baseless accusations" against him during an interview last month.

Paul made the comments -- which also implicated famed boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who has already sued Paul -- during a talk with IFL TV on Sept. 20.

Paul accused Feldman during the interview of taking money from Hearn and his Matchroom Boxing promotion company to influence the outcomes of the fights between Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano.

Paul said: "Glenn Feldman shows up in Saudi and scores Anthony Joshua to win the fight when everyone who watched the fight said it was not a split decision ... Clearly, this guy is getting paid money by Matchroom Boxing."

Feldman said in his suit the words "crossed the line from banter and clearly amount to defamation." He added Paul's statements were "made with malicious intent and have caused financial and reputational harm."

Feldman has filed a motion to join Hearn's initial lawsuit, which was filed on Sept. 23. In that case, Hearn's attorney, Frank Salzano, said Hearn was seeking more than $100 million in damages.

No word so far on what dollar figure Feldman is seeking.

"My client has an unblemished record and impeccable reputation which he built over 30 years and Mr. Paul’s defamatory remarks have directly impacted and damaged my client’s reputation," Feldman's attorney, John Laudati, said in a statement TMZ Sports. "As such, Mr. Feldman is seeking legal redress as a result."

Roy Jones Jr. has fought some big dudes ... but never anyone this big!

TMZ Sports has learned 53-year-old Jones Jr. will fight Robert Wilmote, AKA NDO Champ, a social media star and IFBB bodybuilding professional on January 28 in Miami.

We're told there will be five one-minute rounds.

NDO Champ (it stands for "No Days Off") is 38-years-old ... and stands 5'8". He reportedly weighs around 230 pounds.

Wilmote, who was born in Liberia and came to the U.S. as a kid to avoid civil war, is absolutely massive ... and has competed in many big bodybuilding competitions over the years, including 2nd in the Super Heavyweight division at the Arnold Classic in 2019.

Robert hasn't competed in several years but said just yesterday he planned to return to the stage soon.

He also has some fighting experience ... and has even sparred with Andre Berto.

Obviously, when it comes to the boxing experience ... he's brand new to the sport compared to RJJ -- one of the most talented pugilists to step foot in a ring.

Roy last fought in November 2020 ... in an eight-round exhibition fight against Mike Tyson. The fight was ruled a draw.

Jake Paul is giving those picking Anderson Silva to win on Oct. 29 enough time to reconsider ... telling TMZ Sports they're going to lose all their money!!

We spoke with the Problem Child -- who's currently the betting underdog against the former UFC champion -- about his highly anticipated upcoming bout ... and despite having a ton of respect for his opponent, Paul tells us he's out for blood once they hit the ring.

"I'm knocking this guy out," Jakey P says ... adding the fight won't last past five rounds. "I'm promising everyone that."

"Come back to this interview, everyone, after the fight, and they'll say, 'Wow, he predicted the future,'" he added. "I have a crystal ball in my room and I can see it."

Jake says he's excited to prove people wrong on Saturday night ... and has a message for those putting their hard-earned money on Spider.

"You shouldn't have done it. You should've invested into something else."

"And everyone who bet on me?? Good stuff, man. You're gonna have some dough, maybe a new car, maybe your rent paid."

Jake also dishes on those downplaying the fight considering Silva is 47 years old ... and he explains why it's actually an advantage for Anderson.

Here's more proof fighters are insane.

Bare-knuckle boxer Nathan Decastro shared several gruesome photos of his face, which was absolutely smashed during a recent bout in London, and Nathan's pissed ... but not because he was hurt. He's livid the doctor stopped the fight, suspecting a broken orbital bone.

Decastro -- who holds a Bare Knuckle Boxing record of 2-1 -- ate several shots to his left eye during his fight against Lorawnt-t Nelson at the BYB 12 London Brawl event on Oct. 16.

The blows caused the 31-year-old's eye to swell up like a balloon ... and caused the ringside physician to call the fight at the end of the 3rd round.

The super middleweight fighter was furious Nelson took home the win ... and Decastro expressed his frustrations the next day with photos of his bloody injury, saying "I am f***ing devastated."

"I never complain. I just get on with each and every fight!" Decastro said on social media.

"That said the ref was poor I’ll not get into that as everyone can see it for themselves!"

"The doctor stopped the fight in the corner after the 3rd round because of my eye a suspected broken orbital which absolutely broke my heart."

Decastro -- a former British champion -- says he begged officials to let the fight continue (he believes he was winning the fight, despite the damage to his face), but to no avail, the fight was called off.

"I'm willing to go to the death," Decastro said, "but they stopped it against my will I begged to carry on, I would of win the fight but it was taken out of my hands!"

Roy Jones Jr. is returning to the ring ... the boxing legend has inked a deal with Celebrity Boxing, and now the promotion is seeking a big-name social media star or celebrity for the Hall of Fame pugilist to fight!

We're told 53-year-old Jones Jr. recently signed a contract with CB founder Damon Feldman, who's pumped over the signing.

"We are so excited. It's our biggest event ever, and we're looking for a big opponent for Roy," Feldman told TMZ Sports.

Roy last fought in November 2020 against Mike Tyson ... an 8-round exhibition match that was declared a draw. Most fans agreed it was a fun fight ... and a good event.

Prior to the fight with Iron Mike, Roy was last in a ring professionally in February 2018 ... when he defeated Scott Sigmon by unanimous decision.

Now, RJJ will again return to the squared circle.

Celeb Boxing has put on fights with famous people in the past ... for example, Lamar Odom vs. Aaron Carter fought last year.

But, this is next level for CB  ... Roy Jones Jr. is one of the most talented fighters to ever step foot in a ring. He held multiple world titles in four different weight classes.

Roy beat the best fighters up and down numerous weight classes in incredible fashion ... including wins over Felix Trinidad (2008), Antonio Tarver (2003), John Ruiz (2003), James Toney (1994) and Bernard Hopkins (1993), just to name a few.

Izzy Drake, the social media troll who Drake has distanced himself from should probably just throw in the towel on the whole clone thing ... as well as any chances at a boxing career.

Izzy took a pounding in Atlantic City over the weekend via a Celebrity Boxing match against YouTuber/rapper M2thaK.

Izzy was originally supposed to fight Lamar Odom ... but claims real Drake paid him off NOT to fight, which Lamar has denied. M2thaK came out the gate swinging, connecting plenty of jabs to Izzy's noggin.

The fight was far from a professional bout, both fighters contributed to their own knockdowns, slipping all over the canvas.

But, M2thaK managed to stay consistent for all three rounds ... and the refs unanimously handed the dubya to M2thaK -- and his fists of fury.

Following the fight, M2thak taunted Izzy with the newest addition to his jewelry collection ... the golden Celebrity Boxing championship belt, gloating about how Izzy's pride got left on the mat.

No matter what happens between Anderson Silva and Jake Paul, 47-year-old Spider will NOT be retiring after their boxing match, the UFC legend tells TMZ Sports.

We talked to the MMA G.O.A.T. about his upcoming scrap with 25-year-old Paul -- going down on October 29 in Phoenix, AZ -- and asked Silva if this could be the last fight of his historic career.

"No, no, definitely not," Silva told us without hesitation, continuing ... "I don't know when I'm gonna stop. I know one day I will stop. But not now."

"I try to challenge myself every day, and especially right now my kid started fighting, and I help my kid."

Anderson, who will turn 48 in April, has been fighting professionally for 25 years and is arguably the greatest mixed martial arts fighter to ever grace a cage.

Silva last fought for the UFC in October 2020 ... when he lost to Uriah Hall by TKO.

Despite losing his last 3 fights in the Octagon, Anderson has looked incredibly sharp in the ring.

Silva starched Tito Ortiz in September 2021, but the really impressive feat came against former boxing champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. ... who lost to AS by a split decision in June 2021.

Of course, Chavez's dad is arguably the most respected Mexican athlete ever.

As for Paul, he's 5-0 in the ring, with 4 knockouts. The first Tyron Woodley fight was the only bout to go the distance.

Despite the age difference, Silva is actually a slight betting favorite for the fight ... airing on Showtime PPV.

Bottom line, Silva clearly loves fighting, and walking away isn't even on his mind at this time.

Le'Veon Bell says he doesn't watch the NFL these days ... telling TMZ Sports his focus on his fighting career has his full, undivided attention.

We spoke with Bell outside DASH radio store in Hollywood Monday -- and the former Steelers RB told us he hasn't been keeping up with his old team amid their 1-4 start.

"I ain't gone lie, I have not watched one down of football," said Bell, who last played in the NFL in 2021 with Tampa. "I don't know nobody's record or nothing."

Bell -- who knocked out ex-NFL running back Adrian Peterson in an amateur fight last month -- is slated to make his pro boxing debut against MMA star Uriah Hall on October 29 in Arizona.

Despite Bell's impressive fifth-round KO of AP ... people aren't giving the 30-year-old a legitimate chance of beating Hall, one of the most feared men in combat sports, when they collide.

"Everybody sleeping on me," Bell said. "I'm glad I'm the underdog. This probably be the last fight I [will] be the underdog. My first pro fight probably be the last fight I'm an underdog."

LB may be all in on boxing at the moment, but the future Hall of Fame running back hasn't abandoned making music. In fact, he's already eyeing the perfect person for a collab.

How would Muhammad Ali, the undisputed OG of trash talk, feel about the slick-talking/fighting Conor McGregor?? He would've loved him ... so says The Greatest's grandson, MMA fighter Biaggio Ali Walsh.

24-year-old Ali Walsh, who recently signed with one of the top MMA promotions, PFL, tells TMZ Sports his grandpa wouldn't just have enjoyed mixed martial arts, he would've been a big fan of The Notorious!

"I think [my grandfather] would've loved it, especially when McGregor was in featherweight in UFC, when he fought [Jose] Aldo, that whole reign, he would've loved it, especially Conor's trash talk," Ali Walsh says.

"Poppy started the trash talk. He would've been super entertained. I think he really would've liked the sport."

Of course, Muhammad wasn't just known for his supernatural ability in the squared circle ... but also for his incredibly sharp tongue.

Ali made talkin' trash cool ... and though Conor may be a bit more vulgar, they're very much alike from the standpoint of getting inside their opponent's head.

Like his grandfather, Ali Walsh is a fighter ... but instead of choosing boxing like his brother Nico, he chose MMA.

Biaggio is new in the sport ... and has a 1-1 record as an amateur. He lost his first fight, but rebounded in his second fight, winning by first-round TKO.

Ali-Walsh will make his Professional Fighters League debut on November 25 ... and fittingly, it's going down at Madison Square Garden.

Of course, MSG was the site of many of Ali's legendary fights ... including the "Fight of the Century," Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier I on March 8, 1971.

We asked Biaggio about fighting under the same roof as grandpa ... and while he thinks it's pretty neat, he was honest in saying it's not a huge deal.

"I think it's cool but at the end of the day, a fight's a fight. It's me, the ref, and another guy who's trying to hurt me, whether it's Madison Square Garden or in the back of someone's barnyard. It's cool that it's at Madison Square Garden but I don't care, honestly."

Considering Biaggio clearly has fighting in his blood, we had to ask how his grandpa would've fared as an MMA fighter.

"I think he would've done great just because of how strong he was mentally. A lot of it is mental, a lot of fighting is mental and he had the mental part. He had the heart and he had the will, so if you have the will, you can definitely get the skill."