Boxing

Francis Ngannou returned to the cage last weekend -- 6 months after tragedy struck his family -- and the combat sports superstar admits he was unsure whether he'd ever fight again.

TMZ Sports talked to the 38-year-old former UFC champion turned boxer/PFL fighter just days after he dispatched Renan Ferreira via a first-round knockout in Saudi Arabia ... and then broke down in tears after the bout while talking about the devastating loss of his little boy, Kobe.

"Oh, yes [I didn't know if I'd fight again]. There was a point that you didn't know anything. Everything seemed so fragile," Francis told us, adding his mind was racing a mile a minute during that horrific time.

Tyson Fury just revealed devastating news ... his wife, Paris, suffered a miscarriage six months into her pregnancy ... the day before the heavyweight boxer lost to Oleksandr Usyk.

The 34-1 superstar boxer opened up on Wednesday, saying Paris -- whom he married in 2008 -- called him to let him know she couldn't make his Usyk fight in Riyadh on May 18 due to high blood pressure.

But, Fury knew something was wrong.

"I asked her what was up and asked her to tell me, but she wouldn’t. So I knew," Fury said.

The boxer who was knocked out cold after taking a wildly illegal kick to the face during a fight wants to make sure his opponent never gets an opportunity to do it again -- telling TMZ Sports he wants the guy banned for life.

If you haven't seen the crazy video of the incident already ... Bagher Faraji was going up against Idris Abdurashidov in Phuket, Thailand ... when out of nowhere, the Russian pugilist used his foot instead of his fists -- resulting in an immediate disqualification.

Faraji was outboxing Abdurashidov in the ring prior to the disgusting move ... and naturally, fans quickly called for swift and severe punishment.

Lennox Lewis vs Mike Tyson II?!?!

If Tyson handles Jake Paul in November, The Lion tells TMZ Sports he would consider giving Iron Mike another shot at him!!!

We caught up with Lewis out in NYC this week ... and asked his thoughts on the 58-year-old's upcoming bout with 27-year-old Jake.

Mike Perry is breaking his silence following his DUI arrest ... sharing his remorse for the inappropriate language he used toward law enforcement during the incident.

The 33-year-old posted an apology to his X page on Wednesday ... saying, "I understand that my words were hurtful and offensive, and I sincerely regret my actions."

"I recognize the important and often difficult work that law enforcement officers do to keep our community safe, and I truly respect the dedication and sacrifice that comes with the job. My behavior was inexcusable, and I take full responsibility for my actions."

Sydney Sweeney seems to be getting a feeling of euphoria from working out ... 'cause she's showing off her muscles in new photos from the Christy Martin biopic set.

The actress shared a couple pics early Wednesday morning to show off the character transformation ... saying paparazzi photos -- taken last week -- already spoiled the surprise for everyone, so she's got no issue sharing the pics from set.

SS is outfitted in a pair of gray sweatpants and a red tank top ... showing off her powerful arms while making a muscle for the camera.

2:59 PM PT -- Eddie Hearn's attorney, Frank Salzano, released a statement to TMZ Sports ... saying Jake's claim that his comments were protected under New York's Anti-SLAPP laws -- which shield defendants from lawsuits meant to hinder their freedom of speech -- "fails for several reasons."

"The most glaring reason is that Anti-SLAPP laws were primarily enacted to protect against plaintiffs who filed claims seeking to suppress freedom of speech, these statutes were not enacted to protect maliciously false or defamatory statements – which Paul’s remarks clearly constitute," the statement read.

Salzano said the plan is to dismiss the "meritless" claim and continue with Hearn's defamation case.

Jake Paul isn't taking his fight with Eddie Hearn laying down ... 'cause two years after the British promoter filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against the Problem Child, the 27-year-old is firing back with his own legal action against Hearn.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, Jake argues Eddie's suit is nothing more than an attempt to silence his right to free speech using intimidation tactics to shut Paul up.

Jake says Eddie's lawsuit is straight BS, and he shouldn't owe the Matchroom Boxing promoter a red cent. Instead, Paul claims he's the one who's deserving of a fat payment ... arguing in the docs he should be entitled to compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to the cost of legal fees.

The Problem Child is ready to have some Problem Children ... 'cause Jake Paul just revealed his plans to start a family with his Olympic speed skater girlfriend, Jutta Leerdam.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer opened up on his fatherhood ambitions on a recent episode of "BS With Jake Paul" ... explaining he has to wait a bit before seeing them come true.

"Jutta is on a delayed timeline here 'cause of her sport," Paul said.

Mike Tyson's health scare in May has some fight fans worried about his chances against Jake Paul next month ... but that group doesn't include combat sports legend Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who tells TMZ Sports he's still rockin' with the former heavyweight champ!

We recently caught up with the retired UFC superstar at LAX ... and asked for his thoughts on the November 15 mega fight between 58-year-old Tyson and 27-year-old Paul.

Even after dealing with the ulcer flare-up that caused the fight to be rescheduled (from summer to Nov. 15), Jackson tells us he'd never bet against Mike!

While some people still might doubt Jake Paul when it comes to boxing, Mike Tyson sure doesn't ... 'cause the boxing legend TMZ Sports the "Problem Child" is a "dangerous opponent" ahead of their November fight.

But make no mistake ... that doesn't mean he doesn't expect to whoop his ass!!

58-year-old Tyson -- whose last sanctioned pro bout was in 2005 -- spoke with us a month before his Nov. 15 event against Paul, Netflix's first-ever foray into the sport.

Jake Paul is hyper-focused on his megafight with Mike Tyson ... but the Problem Child also has an eye turned towards the future and an inevitable scrap with the great Canelo Alvarez!

And, 27-year-old Paul says when the day comes where the two men stand face-to-face in the squared circle, Jake will be anything but content to just be there ... 'cause he's in it to win it!

"Everything I've said has come true and why Canelo, you know, should be awake at night, because I'm coming for him," Paul told Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs nightly on FS1).

It turns out Conor McGregor is seeing action this year after all -- Notorious found himself in the middle of a fight at the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship weigh-in on Friday ... and all hell broke loose!!

The UFC superstar -- who recently became part-owner of BKFC -- was front and center when Franco Tenaglia and Tony Soto faced off ahead of their big bout for the vacant light heavyweight world title.

Tenaglia put his fist right up underneath Soto's chin ... who then reacted by lunging at his opponent.

Ryan Garcia is apparently in the clear in his hotel vandalism case -- his attorney tells TMZ Sports the misdemeanor charge the star boxer was facing has been dropped.

The 26-year-old and one of his lawyers, Michael Goldstein, posed for a picture outside of a Los Angeles-area courthouse Tuesday ... and on a caption on the image, Garcia wrote, "CASE DISMISSED."

"Thank you [Michael] Goldstein," he added. "Best attorney on the planet!!!!"

Pro Bowl defensive end today ... UFC heavyweight champ down the road?!?

Maxx Crosby sure seems to think that's possible ... telling TMZ Sports he could see himself stepping into Dana White's Octagon at some point in the future.

Crosby, of course, is fully dedicated to his NFL career at the moment ... but he says he trains to be a beast on Sundays with daily boxing exercises -- and it's clear, it all could lead to a professional tilt later on.

An exotic dancer who says she worked at Floyd Mayweather's gentleman's club in Las Vegas is now suing the former boxing superstar ... claiming he slapped her in the face during a dispute at the venue.

But Mayweather -- through his rep, Felton Newell -- told The Athletic this week he "vehemently denies the allegations."

The dancer, Jasmine Woodward, filed the lawsuit in Clark County, Nevada on Monday ... alleging the violent incident with Mayweather happened at his Girl Collection strip joint on April 23, 2023.

Mike Tyson clearly hasn't missed a step after his medical emergency a few months back -- the boxing legend just shared footage from his latest workout ... and his punches look as violent as ever!!

Iron Mike is 42 days from entering the ring against Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium ... and as Nov. 15 approaches, he put to rest any concerns about his health by posting a brief clip of his training -- featuring a number of combos that should send shivers down the Problem Child's spine.

"Final stretch," the 58-year-old pugilist said Thursday. "Less than 50 days left."