Boxing

12:24 PM PT -- Mayweather Fitness co-founder and CEO, James Williams, one of the people who the letter was sent to, tells TMZ Sports the following ... "My team and I have consistently operated Mayweather Fitness with integrity and in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and we look forward to that being clearly reflected through current proceedings."

"I’ve always had a great relationship with Floyd, and want to make clear that the letter is correct in stating that I oversee and am responsible for all operational aspects of the business. Floyd is not involved in the day-to-day operations."

"My focus remains on leading the company, supporting our partners, and continuing to build the brand."

Floyd Mayweather is sending a salvo at the many fitness clubs bearing his name ... warning Mayweather Fitness to shape up or face the consequences!

TMZ Sports obtained a letter, sent last week by TBE's attorneys, demanding that the franchised health clubs fix a laundry list of alleged issues, or they'll find themselves in court opposite Floyd.

Among the 50-0 fighter's beefs, Floyd says Mayweather Fitness + Boxing, with over 50 locations in the U.S., has allegedly failed to pay their employees wages, and the legendary boxer, who says he has no control over day-to-day operations, is paying the price.

"Mr. Mayweather has not participated in the management, operations, or strategic oversight of [Mayweather Fitness]. Despite his limited involvement as a brand ambassador, your organizations have continually and improperly exploited his name, image, and likeness for financial gain while simultaneously embroiling him in lawsuits and negative press."

Michael Carter-Williams has traded in jump shots and chest passes for jabs and body blows -- he's a boxer now -- and he tells TMZ Sports he's gunning for a knockout in his first time on the mat later this month!!

The ex-NBA star -- the 11th overall pick in the 2013 draft -- has formally made the transition to the fight game since the end of his hooping career ... and his first official match will go down at the Broad Street Brawl on May 29 at the Leman Ballroom in New York.

His opponent is Sam Khatib -- an amateur boxer who's 36 -- and it will be a three-round affair with proceeds from the tilt going to a good cause.

Caleb Plant is down to be Jake Paul's next opponent after El Gallo gets done with Julio César Chávez Jr. -- telling TMZ Sports he'd love to get in the ring soon with the former YouTuber and mix it up.

The 23-2 fighter had nothing but kind things to say about Paul while out at The Mayan in downtown Los Angeles earlier this month ... but he said if Jake really wants to throw hands and make some cash in the near future, he's all for it.

"I mean, if he wants to get in there and rumble," Plant said, "we can do that."

Holly Holm says she'd love to take on her UFC nemesis Ronda Rousey in the boxing ring ... but tells TMZ Sports there's a snowball's chance in hell of that ever happening.

We caught up with the first woman to ever hand Rousey an L in the UFC Octagon out at the Jake Paul vs. Julio César Chávez Jr. press conference this week ... and as a new member of the Most Valuable Promotions family, we had to ask how she felt about the idea of going head-to-head with her rival again.

"Of course," she said. "I think that's just maybe hypothetical. I don't think that would ever happen, but of course I would."

Jake Paul and Julio César Chávez Jr. are a little over a month away from trading blows in California ... but El Gallo already has wheels in motion on his next potential fight -- telling TMZ Sports he would love to go up against Badou Jack!!

We caught up with one-half of the June 28th main event following Wednesday's press conference in L.A. ... and asked about Badou saying he would give Paul a shot at his WBC cruiserweight title.

"I'm super interested," Paul said. "I had Nakisa [Bidarian] contact his team behind the scenes, so those discussions are happening."

Verbal jabs were thrown during the Jake Paul vs Julio César Chávez Jr. press conference ... but it wasn't between the two combatants -- but rather Paul and and his opponent's dad.

The two jawed at each other after event moderator Chris Mannix asked the 62-year-old how he believes the bout will go down between his son and El Gallo.

"He's never faced a fighter like my son," the boxing great said. "With all due respect, fighting Mike Tyson, I think I would have given him a better fight. He didn't throw one punch all fight."

If you found yourself daydreaming of a Jermall Charlo vs. Jake Paul fight, it might be time to think of another reality ... 'cause The Hitman tells TMZ Sports even though he's down for the bout -- he's pretty sure Paul wouldn't want the smoke.

We caught up with Charlo this week ahead of his May 31 fight against Thomas LaManna ... and he told us his body feels good as he's looking to keep his undefeated record intact.

He also talked about a potential throwdown with Paul -- and while he said he was "for sure" into it ... he admitted there are some big roadblocks.

Rolly Romero's making it clear it's totally fine for men to cry ... and he tells TMZ Sports anyone who's making fun of Ryan Garcia for his emotional outburst after their fight last week can go pound sand.

The star boxer -- who upset Garcia in Times Square on May 2 -- passionately defended his opponent while out in L.A. on Wednesday ... explaining he, too, had a big cry following their tilt.

"It's OK for men to cry, bruh," Romero said ... adding, "It just shows we're human."

Rolly Romero's next fight almost certainly won't be against Devin Haney ... the boxing superstar just ripped his rival during a chat with TMZ Sports -- calling him "shattered" and "a track star."

After triumphantly beating Ryan Garcia in Times Square last week, Romero said Tuesday he's on the hunt for a "big name" for his next bout ... but, he made it clear it likely won't be Haney.

Romero implied the 26-year-old -- who won a controversial tilt against José Ramírez minutes before his Garcia showdown in NYC -- is just too boring to attract mass amounts of Pay-Per-View buys.

Francis Ngannou is opening up on the tragic motorcycle accident that resulted in a young woman's death ... saying his "heart is shattered" by the "devastating loss of life."

According to news outlets in Cameroon, Ngannou was driving the motored vehicle when he struck a female in the streets of Yaounde late last month.

The reports stated Ngannou transported her to the hospital and provided financial assistance as she received medical attention ... but unfortunately, she succumbed to the injuries she suffered in the accident.

Rolly Romero will step into the ring against Ryan Garcia on Friday night in some custom, "Marty McFly" Nikes ... and, Great Scott, they're cool!!!

TMZ Sports has learned Jose Coronado, AKA Aztek Kustoms, "deconstructed" the $40,000, "Back To The Future"-themed kicks so the 29-year-old could wear them in the ring for his huge tilt with King Ry ... and check 'em out, they're fully functional.

The shoes -- which were originally created by the Swoosh to honor the self-tying kicks Michael J. Fox once wore in "Back to the Future Part II" -- have operational LED lights and all the same markings of the OG ones McFly wore in the old-school flick.

Floyd Diaz, an undefeated boxer, was arrested in Sin City last week ... after Las Vegas Metro cops pulled the pugilist over while driving a stolen vehicle, TMZ Sports has learned.

During the stop, LVMPD also found the 21-year-old boxer was carrying a firearm he was not legally allowed to possess.

Diaz was initially stopped after a patrol unit received a LoJack alert indicating the vehicle was stolen.

Julio César Chávez Jr. is ready to step in and defend Mike Tyson's honor ... telling TMZ Sports he plans to whoop Jake Paul in the ring in June to avenge the boxing legend.

Remember, Paul -- 11-1 as a pro boxer -- beat Tyson by unanimous decision in an eight-round bout in November 2024, the most watched fight ever.

Chávez, a former middleweight world champion, will have his chance to get some payback for Iron Mike on June 28 ... when he faces Paul at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

And best believe that's the goal.

Former boxing champion Fernando Vargas is calling out anyone criticizing his sons' boxing careers ... telling TMZ Sports they're bold behind a keyboard, but don't have the guts to say any of it to their faces!!

Vargas' three sons are all boxers ... including Amado, who has a fight on Saturday against Angel Luna at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta.

Vargas is confident his son will secure his 13th straight win by knockout in "four, five rounds" and maintain his perfect record.

Jake Paul is making a major move -- El Gallo is in line to be the new owner of a $42 MILLION estate in Georgia!!!

TMZ Sports has learned the internet superstar and boxer is in contract to land the 5,700-acre property in Decatur County ... as part of one of his growing business ventures.

The estate has a $42 million price tag ... although it's unclear what Jake offered for it.

Sources tell us Jake's unlikely to move into the place ... but regardless, it has everything one could ever ask for -- including a lodge, horse barn, manager's house, guest house, duck pond, lake and a 200-foot bluff overlooking Lake Seminole.

Deontay Wilder says he'll slap Jarrell Miller on sight for running his mouth ... telling TMZ Sports he hopes "Big Baby" has his funeral arrangements made -- 'cause he's a dead man walking!!

Miller (26-1, 22 KOs) has been calling out the former heavyweight champ for a minute ... claiming he'll whoop his ass if they ever agree to a fight.

So, when we spotted the Bronze Bomber at LAX this week ... we had to ask for his response -- and he says he doesn't need to be in a boxing ring to get his hands on the guy.