Floyd vs. Manny II Is No Nostalgia Act ... Says Promoter Jas Mathur
If you thought the first showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao was massive … buckle up!!!
Jas Mathur -- CEO of Pacquiao’s promotion company and one of the key figures behind the rematch -- tells TMZ Sports the September 19 clash at Sphere in Las Vegas isn’t just big … it’s historic.
“I’d say huge is an understatement,” Mathur told us, pointing to the original fight’s eye-popping $600 million haul. “You’re talking about a spectacle.”
And this time, it’s not just boxing -- it’s a full sports-entertainment takeover inside one of the most high-tech venues on the planet … with Mathur promising a production that’ll leave fans not believing what they see.
TikToker Benjamin Gleason Arrested, Faces Rape Charge
TikTok star Benjamin Gleason was arrested Friday and charged with rape, TMZ has learned.
Columbia County Jail in New York tells TMZ ... Gleason was booked the evening of March 20, and he's got a long list of serious charges.
He's been charged with 2 counts of rape, 1 count of predatory sexual assault committed against more than 1 person, 1 count of criminal sexual act in the 1st degree by forcible compulsion, 1 count of 2nd-degree aggravated sexual abuse, 1 count of first-degree sexual abuse, and 1 count of criminal sex acts conducted with person incapable of consent.
Don Lemon I Was Almost in Rihanna's Neighborhood Night of House Shooting!!!
Don Lemon's had a rough year so far, but it could've been a lot worse! The journalist told us he was supposed to be in Rihanna's neighborhood the night a shooting was reported at her house.
We caught up with Don at the 12th Annual Better Brothers Los Angeles Truth Awards on Saturday, where he told us how lucky he was not to get caught in the line of fire earlier this month.
Don says he has a friend who lives near Rihanna's home and was supposed to visit her, but opted not to because of complications caused by the L.A. Marathon. And it's a good thing ... according to Don, his friend lived so close to the shooting that her house was actually damaged in the incident.
James McCoy Taylor Former 'Bachelorette' Contestant Arrested Again in Assault Case
Former "The Bachelorette" contestant and country singer James McCoy Taylor has been arrested in connection to a 2024 case in which he was charged with assault causing bodily injury and unlawful restraint, TMZ has learned.
Online court records show Taylor was arrested Friday on a warrant from Texas for the charges. He was released the same day on a $10,000 surety bond.
TMZ has reached out to Taylor for comment and police for additional information ... so far, no word back.
The one-time reality star was originally arrested and charged for an incident involving a 19-year-old college student -- police say he groped and forcibly kissed the woman, and threw her to the ground as she tried to leave an apartment.
DeAndre Hopkins Reunion With Kyler??? I'd Be Down For That!!!
DeAndre Hopkins opened up to TMZ Sports about his approach to free agency this offseason ... and he admitted if the Minnesota Vikings hit him up, he'd love to run it back with his old QB, Kyler Murray.
The 33-year-old vet spoke at length about his thought process as he figures out where to call home in 2026 ... and he made it clear he can absolutely contribute at a high level.
D-Hop is currently up for grabs after spending one season with the Baltimore Ravens, and we asked what's next for the five-time Pro Bowler.
When we brought up reconnecting with Murray, his teammate in Arizona from 2020 to 2022, he had nothing but high praise for the quarterback.
"Kyler ... that's my bro, man. Kyler is like family," Hopkins said at LAX this week.
Claressa Shields NFL Players Can't Beat Logan Paul ... If They Don't Train
Claressa Shields is weighing in on the Logan Paul vs. NFL fight debate ... and she's siding with the WWE Superstar -- telling TMZ Sports there's no way the football guys can beat him if they don't have at least six months of training under their belts.
The chatter -- which evolved from the Maverick's ongoing beef with Tom Brady -- has folks wondering how Paul would fare in a bout with a name like Myles Garrett, one of the most-feared defensive monsters on the planet.
Seems crazy to imagine a Paul vs. Garrett match doesn't automatically end in the Browns superstar's hand raised ... but Shields says being 6'4" and 272 pounds doesn't mean squat if he doesn't know how to fight.
1982 UNC Tar Heels Signed Ball To Hit Auction Block ... Jordan, Worthy & More!
Hey UNC fans, need a distraction after that First-Round exit? Here's an auction to take your mind off Thursday's loss -- a basketball from the Tar Heels' 1982 championship team is heading to auction ... signed by legends like Michael Jordan and James Worthy!
TMZ Sports has learned the UNC-themed rock -- which will be sold by Heritage Auctions -- is from the 1981-82 season ... when Jordan, Worthy, Sam Perkins, and others were led by iconic head coach Dean Smith.
The ball features Jordan's autograph, as well as signatures from Worthy, Perkins, Buzz Peterson, Cecil Exum, Warren Martin, John Brownlee, and more.
We're told the ball is expected to sell for more than $10K when the bid opens on April 24th ... and it's not just because of all the big names.
Amy Duggar King My Heart Goes Out to the Kids After Kendra's Arrest!!!
Amy Duggar King's amending her earlier statement in which she showed support for Kendra Duggar ... telling TMZ she's now only standing in solidarity with the children involved.
We spoke with Amy -- Joseph Duggar's cousin -- after Kendra was arrested for child endangerment and false imprisonment.
If you don't know, right after Joseph was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor, Amy showed support for both Kendra and their kids in a statement.
'SYTYCD' Winner Joshua Allen Mixture of Drugs, Alcohol Revealed in Autopsy
Dancer Joshua Allen had a mixture of drugs and alcohol in his system when he died ... TMZ has learned.
According to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office ... their investigation shows Allen tested positive for ethanol, cocaine, and ketamine.
Allen was also wearing a black ankle monitor when the M.E. observed him ... it's unclear why he was wearing it.
'The Bachelorette' Taylor's Suitors Mull Lawsuit Against ABC, Warner Bros. Discovery
Taylor Frankie Paul's ill-fated season of "The Bachelorette" has pissed off some of the suitors to the point they're now considering a lawsuit.
Sources with knowledge tell us ... 5 contestants who were competing for a rose from Taylor are mulling over legal action against ABC and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Harvey and Mark Geragos get into it on the latest episode of "2 Angry Men." Fact is, some of these men put their lives on hold, quitting their jobs or foregoing financial opportunities in exchange for the promise of pop culture visibility.
We're told the 5 contestants also feel like Warner Bros. Discovery -- which produced the show -- created an unsafe working environment by allowing Frankie Taylor Paul -- who has clearly shown flashes of violence in the past -- to interact with them in intimate settings.
Kendra Duggar Released from Jail, Husband Joseph Still Behind Bars
Joseph Duggar's wife Kendra has been released from jail in Arkansas after her arrest, TMZ has learned.
Kendra was released Friday, around 6:20 PM, from the Washington County Detention Center under a $1,470 bond after being taken into custody for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment.
Police went to the Duggar family compound in Washington County, Arkansas, earlier Friday with a warrant for Kendra's arrest ... but she was not there. She was later taken into custody, according to the jail's website.
TikTok Star Matthew Wurnig Arrested for DWI in Minnesota
TikTok star Matthew Wurnig -- known as the "50 Dates 50 States" creator -- has been booked for a DWI in Minnesota Saturday, TMZ has learned.
The 29-year-old was caught during a traffic stop when he was suspected of driving under the influence ... refusing to submit to a required chemical test -- such as a breathalyzer or blood test-- when requested by law enforcement, according to jail records.
Wuring was later booked into Crow Wing County Jail around 3:30 AM local time and hit with 2 DWI charges, one for refusing to submit to a chemical test and another for second-degree DWI.
'The Bachelorette' Devin Beefing With Sam M, Again ... Amid Taylor Frankie Paul Fallout!!!
Devin Strader is clapping back at his foe Sam McKinney ... after Sam took a dig at him while cracking up at the news of Taylor Frankie Paul's 'Bachelorette' season getting canned.
ICYMI, Sam hopped on Instagram Thursday and said he feels no sorrow for ABC amid the historic fallout ... adding it's their fault for the drama because they cast "the female version of Devin" as their lead.
Devin was often questioned by the suitors on Jenn Tran's season of "The Bachelorette" ... as they saw him as disingenuous. He ended up winning Jenn's heart ... but then dumped her after they got engaged, because he had doubts about their relationship.
Devin didn't hold back when speaking to TMZ about the ordeal, saying Sam M. -- there were two Sams that season -- used his name to gain relevancy. He added ... "I guess my name pays more than his Home Depot spinoff or whatever it is they’re shooting down there. I’m hiring a new accountant soon, seems he needs a new career!"
Michael Jackson’s Estate Fires Back at Paris Jackson After She Rips Biopic
Paris Jackson slammed the two executors running Michael Jackson’s estate and trashed some of the production decisions behind the upcoming biopic in the process … but a lawyer for the estate scoffed at her complaints and called them “without merit.”
According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, Paris has been fighting with John Branca and John McClain -- the principal figures managing MJ’s estate since the pop star died in 2009 -- over financial matters ... and now she's blasting them over the upcoming biopic Michael.
Paris has spoken out about the film in the past, and it seems she is not over her gripes with it. MJ’s daughter says she wishes those involved in the film well, but “that does not change potential concerns” she has with the estate’s involvement. She claims Branca used his position as producer to cast A-list actor Miles Teller to play himself, but questioned the move, saying it's "unclear how this peculiar and presumably costly casting decision will result in commensurate box office receipts."
She also says Branca’s lack of experience producing' films “may be the root of reports that the estate has had to fund tens of millions of dollars in reshoots after the terms of a well-known settlement agreement prevented the production from using substantial amounts of footage already shot.” Paris said she was concerned it was a “botched production on a” 3.5-hour biopic “which the estate has reportedly invested at least some, if not all of the $150 million budget, is troubling, to say the least.”
Chuck Norris Legendary Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Talks Martial Arts Legacy ... Trained For Decades
Chuck Norris' longtime jiu-jitsu instructor, legendary professor Rigan Machado, is remembering the martial arts legend as much more than a Hollywood star and cultural icon, but someone who was like family for decades.
"[Chuck's] a brother. For me, he's not just a friend. My relationship with Chuck Norris was over 30 years. Me and my brothers we called him Carlos because we were so close to him as a friend," Machado told TMZ Sports just hours after Norris' death was announced.
"We don't feel the celebrity vibe. We talk to him like a brother. I kind of get sad, but at the same time, he accomplished everything he wanted to in his life. He's a phenomenal martial artist. A phenomenal action movie star, a phenomenal father, husband. He accomplished everything he dreamed about."
VCU Coach Phil Martelli Jr. Chip Off The Old Block ... And a Cinderella Dream
VCU opened the NCAA Tournament by busting brackets -- and Phil Martelli Jr. proved the March Madness gene might run in the family.
TMZ Sports caught up with the VCU head coach fresh off leading his 11-seed squad to a massive upset over No. 6 North Carolina -- a moment that hit even harder with his father, legendary coach Phil Martelli Sr., in the building to witness it all.
Martelli Sr., of course, knows a thing or two about March magic.
He famously led Saint Joseph’s to an undefeated regular season and an Elite Eight run in 2004 … turning the Hawks into one of the tournament’s most iconic Cinderella stories.
Now, it’s his son writing a similar script in his first year with the Rams.