Fights

Evander is out, LENNOX IS IN!!

Mike Tyson tells TMZ Sports ... his next boxing opponent is all lined up and it's a rematch with former heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis!!

"I'm gonna fight Lennox Lewis," Tyson told us Tuesday night on the way out of Catch in L.A. ... "September."

YES!!!

Mike is 54 years old. Lennox is 55.

Remember, Tyson was in talks to rematch Evander Holyfield on May 29 in Miami but the deal fell apart in March because the two sides couldn't agree on money.

So, Tyson's camp continued the search for a big-name opponent -- and according to Mike, Lennox is in!

The two have fought before -- Lewis famously KO'd Tyson in the 8th round when they clashed in June 2002.

In the buildup to the fight, Tyson making some wild threats ... famously saying he wanted to "eat" Lennox's children!

We spoke with Lennox back in February about the possibility of fighting Tyson and he told us he was open to it ... but only "if the public wanted it."

Well, clearly enough people made it clear they'd love to see Lennox get back in the ring!

FYI, Lewis is one of the greatest heavyweight fighters ever -- he finished his pro career in 2003 with a 41-2-1 record ... defeating legends like Vitali Klitschko, Evander Holyfield, Shannon Briggs, Ray Mercer, Frank Bruno and, of course, Mike Tyson.

Tyson was 50-6 in his pro career -- but looked AWESOME in his exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr. in Nov. 2020.

"As many as you guys know, I've struggled with depression and anxiety for some time."

That's undefeated boxing superstar Ryan Garcia bravely choosing to talk about the reason he withdrew from his July 9 fight against Javier Fortuna ... revealing he's in need of a mental health break.

Over the weekend, the undefeated 22-year-old posted the fight news on IG -- saying he wanted to focus on managing his "health and wellbeing" ... but didn't really expand on what that meant.

"I have decided to take some time off to focus on becoming a stronger version of myself," Garcia has posted.

But on Tuesday, Garcia expanded on his health situation -- saying he's often "pushed through" some difficult moments ... but feels it's important to slow down and get some professional help.

"I pushed thru so many times but I need some time off and I'm choosing to finally get some help with my mental health," Garcia said.

Garcia is currently in Hawaii with his girlfriend, Drea Celina, and their 4-month-old daughter ... and from the looks of things, they're focusing on health and relaxation.

Kamaru Usman vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov?!!? How awesome would that be?!

Kamaru says it would "absolutely" be the biggest fight in UFC history -- but the champ isn't holding his breath that it'll happen.

Remember, Khabib (29-0) announced his retirement back in October 2020 after defeating Justin Gaethje -- but later told Dana White he would consider a comeback if one of the top fighters showed him something "spectacular."

Well, enter Usman ... who's been destroying the best fighters in the UFC's welterweight division including wins over Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns and more.

The question -- is Khabib impressed enough to consider a comeback against the reigning welterweight champ?! Usman isn't counting on it.

"I’ve lost faith in this one," Usman tells TMZ Sports ... "I think you have more of a chance at making Kamaru Usman and Georges St Pierre happen before Kamaru Usman and Khabib."

We also asked about a possible matchup with Nick Diaz down the line ... and Usman seems interested!

Floyd Mayweather is zeroing in on a date and location to fight Logan Paul -- and multiple sources tell us the target is Sunday, June 6 in Miami.

We're told the date is not set in stone -- but Floyd's camp is really pushing for the Sunday date.

So, why not shoot for Saturday night like most major Pay-Per-View boxing events?

We're told the hope of having a bunch of live fans at the venue for the fight is playing a key role.

One source tells us the Sunday date works better with the intended venue in Miami -- a venue that would be able to hold a large crowd, which is very important to Floyd.

Floyd and Logan Paul were originally scheduled to fight on February 20th -- but the event was postponed due to "COVID and other things."

Since then, there have been questions about if the fight was ever going to happen -- but we're told Floyd is 100% in and can't wait to get it on.

The fight would technically be considered an exhibition -- which means it would not count on either fighters' professional record.

26-year-old Logan is 0-1 record as a pro -- but he's full of confidence ... especially after his brother Jake Paul obliterated MMA star Ben Askren.

Plus, the Paul brothers have proven to be legitimate PPV draws -- which we're certain is appealing to Floyd.

44-year-old Mayweather is 50-0 and widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time with wins over legends like Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao.

And we all remember what he did to Conor McGregor ...

Welp, this is a way to bruise Conor McGregor's ego ...

Kamaru Usman tells TMZ Sports he's more interested in "beating the s**t" out of Jake Paul than taking on Conor ... explaining he's been looking for an excuse to punish one of these "Internet guys."

Usman is fresh off of a VIOLENT performance against Jorge Masvidal -- where he basically sent Gamebred to the shadow realm with one of the most devastating knockout punches in UFC history.

Before that, Usman went on a run dominating the best the UFC's welterweight division had to offer ... from Gilbert Burns to Colby Covington, Tyron Woodley and more.

So, in the immortal words of Bill Goldberg ... WHO'S NEXT!?

Usman says he's down to fight TWO more times before the end of the year -- but admits there's no one in his division that's tickling his fancy at the moment.

Sure, he's been trading Twitter trash talk with Conor McGregor -- but Usman says when push comes to shove, Conor doesn't want the smoke.

"He's fought once in the last year and a half and that didn’t end well for him," Usman says.

"Imagine what I would do to him. I would take his life in there."

Which brings us to Jake Paul ...

"If these guys don't show me anything, maybe I'll put out one of these guys who think 'I can box' and beat the sh*t out of them."

Kamaru even referenced the back and forth between Daniel Cormier and Jake Paul in the stands at UFC 261 ... and begged DC to stand down so he could teach the guy a lesson.

"DC, sit down, let me take care of that for you," Usman said.

Usman says he's sick and tired of Paul dissing legends like Cormier -- and believes it would be his duty to beat some respect into him.

Hey, Jake's looking for a fight too ... so, never say never.

Jeff Lowe claims Carole and Howard Baskin are spying on him with drones, and when he went to confront them, a fight allegedly broke out with his neighbors and the cops had to respond.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the Lowes called cops Tuesday morning to report a disturbance at their property in Thackerville, and when deputies showed up they discovered Jeff had gotten in a fight with a neighbor -- not Carole and Howard.

Jeff says it all started when his son saw a drone flying over the zoo, and when he went to investigate he claims he saw Carole, Howard and his neighbors, a couple, hanging with a film crew.

The way Jeff tells it ... the Baskins and his neighbors took off when they saw him, and when he tried to stop a car leaving the neighbors' property -- thinking Carole might be inside -- the neighbors' son got out and they tussled.

Our law enforcement sources say Carole was in the area, but was not on Jeff's property and she broke no laws.

Howard tells TMZ ... they were flying a drone in the area to monitor conditions at the zoo, and he says the initial drone footage shows a significant amount of what appears to be stress-related or "stereotypic" pacing among the animals.

Carole's husband says they had a film crew there to record what they were doing, and the Baskins were visiting with Lowe's neighbors for a different reason altogether.

Jeff claims it was the neighbor's son who started the fight, throwing coffee at his car and pushing him. However, Howard claims Jeff started the fight with the neighbor's son ... he says Jeff attacked unexpectedly and dragged the guy to the ground.

The incident is far from over ... our law enforcement sources say the police report will be sent to the local District Attorney, who will determine whether Jeff or the man he was fighting will be charged.

Trey Songz will not face criminal charges for his violent altercation with cops at an NFL playoff game ... TMZ has learned.

The Prosecutor's Office for Jackson County, MO tells us they have decided to decline filing charges against the singer, citing insufficient evidence.

We broke the story ... Trey was arrested back in January at a Kansas City Chiefs home playoff game, with video showing what looked like a violent dust-up with a police officer.

The incident started when Songz allegedly refused to wear a mask inside Arrowhead Stadium, despite coronavirus protocols in place at the game.

As we told you, Trey was arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest -- both misdemeanors -- and for assaulting a police officer, a low-grade felony.

The footage police released appeared to show Trey throwing the first punch during his interaction with police, but his camp claimed the officer had it out for him before the brawl. In any event, no charges are being filed in the case.

"I'm going to rip his face apart. I'm going to hurt the kid. I will teach these kids not to continue to do this with people like me."

Daniel Cormier just UNLOADED on Jake Paul ... saying if the YouTuber-turned-boxer wants a piece of him, they can meet in the Octagon for an MMA fight -- and he's promising a bloodbath.

Of course, DC and Paul have been going at it ever since the 24-year-old wrecked Ben Askren at Triller Fight Club earlier this month ... with things getting heated when both guys crossed paths at UFC 261 this past weekend.

The 42-year-old UFC legend expanded on his hate for Jake on ESPN's "DC and Ariel" earlier today ... saying he will NOT step in the boxing ring with Paul.

"Floyd Mayweather is the greatest boxer of all time. So you go and play on his playing field. Why would I go and box Jake Paul?" DC said Monday.

"Who I am doesn't make me chase anything. I made my money as the heavyweight champion of the world. I don't have to chase a payday."

BUT -- if Jake REALLY wants to test his luck, DC says he's down to teach him a lesson in the Octagon ... and it ain't gonna be pretty.

"If he wants to actually fight with me, fight me in mixed-martial arts," Cormier said ... adding he'll even cut all the way down to 205 pounds for the bout.

"This is not going to be fun. I'm telling you right now, at 42 years old -- bad back and everything -- I'm going to torture him. I'm going to hurt him. I don't want to box him. I don't want to fight in a limited skill set of rules."

"If you really want to fight me, fight me in a mixed martial arts competition."

DC went on ... "I'm going to smash him and I'm going to hurt him and then he can go back to fighting these YouTube kids."

Chris Weidman and his shattered leg are on the road to recovery ... 'cause the UFC star says doctors successfully fixed his broken tibia and fibula during surgery on Sunday.

Only 17 seconds into the 1st round of his fight with Uriah Hall, the former middleweight champ fired off a leg kick ... literally snapping his leg while the packed crowd in Jacksonville watched in horror.

36-year-old Weidman posted a video on social media ... updating his fans from his Florida hospital bed, saying, "It's pretty brutal but I'm going to get through this."

Weidman continued ... "They put a titanium rod through the tibia so they go through the knee and put the rod and drill it through the tibia make it straight and hard. My fibula was broken as well."

As for how long Chris will be off his feet, it's going to be 2 months before he can so much as walk unassisted.

"I think it's gonna be 8 weeks until I can walk without crutches and stuff and drive and all that."

Weidman says he's heard from a TON of family, friends, fighters and fans since suffering the devastating injury.

"I'm so thankful for all the love and support."

But, will Weidman ever fight again?? It sure sounds like he's going to try ... but, it's gonna take some time.

Chris says it'll be 6 to 12 months before he can start training again.

"My message for Jake Paul is he's a massive p***y and he doesn't want to fight ... So, when he grows a pair of balls, come and see me. But until then, don't mention my name ever again."

That FIRE is coming from rising boxing star Tommy Fury, who tells TMZ Sports he's 100% down to fight the internet sensation ... but says Paul is too scared to make it happen.

21-year-old Tommy and the 24-year-old internet superstar have been going at it for MONTHS on social media ... with Tommy's 2-time heavyweight champ older bro, Tyson igniting the feud by mentioning Paul on Twitter.

Now that Jake whooped Ben Askren's ass last weekend, we spoke with Fury about the possibility of being next ... and he's ready to put him in his place.

"I'm here and I'm ready and I'm going to fight, but obviously, this man is not," Fury tells us ... adding he had ZERO interest in getting involved until Jake called him out for clout.

"In the boxing world, he's a nobody and he's just trying to use the Fury name -- the best fighter in the world is Tyson -- to try and get the boxing audience talking about him."

FYI, Fury is a monster in the ring -- he's 5-0 with 4 knockouts ... and would easily be Paul's toughest matchup to date.

Fury says he's down to fight Paul "anytime, anyplace, anywhere" ... and might get his wish -- Jake recently said he would fight Tommy if Tyson boxed Michael Hunter on the same card.

Kamaru Usman was ready to party his face off after practically knocking Jorge Masvidal's face into space during UFC 261 ... and he did that and then some at a post-fight rager.

The Nigerian mixed martial artist swung by Myth Night Club late Saturday night after beating the brakes off Masvidal at the nearby VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL ... and club-goers were definitely ready to embrace the welterweight champ.

Usman was dressed to impress as well ... rocking a clean suit and some shades. He was ready to boogie too -- the guy didn't shy away from the dance floor, or the DJ booth.

We're hearing Usman showed up near closing time ... when DeeJay Capone was still blasting music. After the normies were kicked out -- an after-party proceeded ... which is what you see here in the video of the event we obtained. Looks like a good time was had by all.

The man had every reason to celebrate ... this after knocking out Masvidal cold with a clean, hard punch to the jaw. The KO went down in the second round, about a minute or so in.

Masvidal was actually laughing at Usman seconds before he got his clock cleaned ... and the crowd was absolutely stunned at how it all unfolded.

This is incredibly disturbing ...

A flag football coach in Michigan punched a parent in the face during a meltdown at a game over the weekend -- igniting a police investigation.

Officials confirm the incident took place Saturday at the Midwest Performance Academy in Niles, MI ... in front of a bunch of young kids.

Unclear what set off the coach ... but you can see in the video he appeared to be arguing with a parent or coach from the other team and as he storms off the field, he stops to square up with a parent on the sideline.

The parent did NOT impose any sort of physical threat -- but the coach apparently didn't like his body language and sucker-punched him in the face, sending the dad crashing to the floor.

Chaos ensues ... you can hear kids crying and other parents screaming in shock.

At one point, other adults attempt to subdue to the coach.

So far, the name of the coach has not been released -- but WNDU's Ibrahim Samra reports the victim has reached out to the Niles Police Dept. and an investigation is underway.

Boxing phenom Edgar Berlanga has KO'd all 16 of his opponents in the 1st round ... and when he goes for #17 this weekend, Lil Wayne will walk him to the ring!

The 23-year-old knockout artist dropped the news to TMZ Sports as he gears up to fight Demond Nicholson (23-3-1) on Saturday night ... in what many expect to be another signature violent performance from the young star.

Wayne is a big boxing fan -- and he's clearly taken notice of Berlanga as he's destroyed every pro fighter who's ever stepped in the ring against him.

Fat Joe has also become a huge fan.

And Berlanga tells us ... both rap stars have told him they'll be in the house as VIP guests at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, FL.

"I'm going to spoil it right now for TMZ," Berlanga told us ... "[Wayne's] gonna be there with us this Saturday night, so I have him and Fat Joe."

Wayne won't just be a spectator ... Edgar says the hip-hop icon will be a part of his ring-walk entourage and will perform one of his hits on the way in.

"Lil Wayne is gonna perform and Fat Joe is gonna come to show love like he always does."

FYI, Edgar and Joe are both from NYC ... and go back a few years. FJ has been a regular at Berlanga's fights.

And Wayne isn't just hopping on the bandwagon ... he's been a staunch supporter of Berlanga for a while and has been mentoring Edgar about how to navigate the fame that comes with obliterating 16 straight opponents!

In fact, Weezy even has a near-life-size cardboard cutout of Edgar!

Oscar De La Hoya is admitting to what many already knew ... he WAS boozed up during his appearance at the Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren fight ... and now he's apologizing.

48-year-old Oscar was a babbling mess when he joined the announcer's table to commentate during one of the undercard fights at the April 17 event in Georgia ... leaving many wondering if something was wrong with the boxing legend.

In fact, Frank Mir -- who was fighting Steve Cunningham when Oscar joined the broadcast -- tweeted after the fight that he hopes Oscar's people get him professional help for his issues.

"I could be angry and I could laugh too but addiction is no joke, I know," Mir said ... "I sincerely hope that those around Oscar get him the help he needs."

As you may know, Oscar has publicly talked about his battles with substance abuse over the years ... and has sought treatment on several occasions.

But, Oscar is playing off the situation as no big deal ... saying he just got caught up in the party atmosphere at the event -- which included live performances from Snoop and Justin Bieber -- and simply drank too much.

"I started having a couple drinks. And then [the Triller producers] told me, ‘Why don’t you go and commentate?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, man! Okay, okay,'" Oscar said this week on the DAZN Boxing show.

"I got a little over carried away. And I apologize. But it’s all good. It’s all good."

UFC superstar Kamaru Usman was hit so hard by COVID following his July 2020 fight with Jorge Masvidal, he drove himself to the emergency room for treatment.

Usman says he was so dehydrated, he peed blood, lost his sense of smell and dropped 17 pounds as a result of the virus ... telling ESPN he was seriously concerned about dying.

The good news ... Usman insists he has recovered and is ready to go for his UFC 261 rematch with Masvidal this weekend.

But, man, the story behind his illness is scary stuff.

Usman told ESPN he started feeling symptoms after he flew from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi to his home in Colorado.

At first, Usman says he felt sick -- and he thought he would beat it easily. But, things escalated quickly.

After five days of symptoms, Usman says he couldn't wait it out anymore and went to a local emergency room for treatment.

Usman was admitted to the hospital, where he tested positive for COVID and was immediately given medicine to help him recover.

Usman tells ESPN his mind went to a dark place, admitting he thought to himself, "Man, I just made all this money and I'm not gonna be able to spend it."

Fortunately, Usman was able to make a complete recovery ... and returned to the octagon in February 2021, where he defeated the #1 welterweight contender, Gilbert Burns.

"I think they're awesome people and I can't wait to see what the baby's gonna look like!

That's UFC star Rose Namajunas sending big love to Ronda Rousey and Travis Browne on their newly announced pregnancy ... telling TMZ Sports, "She's gonna be a great mother!"

Rose and Ronda go way back ... in fact, Namajunas posted a pic with Rousey way back in 2014 (before Rose shaved her head!).

The two have had a friendly relationship ever since, with Ronda even showering Rose with praise after her 2018 victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

And, now that Ronda and Travis are expecting, Rose couldn't be more excited for them -- "I'm really happy for them and their family."

Meanwhile, Rose is gearing up for a highly anticipated showdown with Zhang Weili for the UFC strawweight title at UFC 261 on April 24.

Weili hasn't lost a fight since her pro debut back in 2013 -- since then she's been on a 21-fight win streak with victories over stars like Jedrzejczyk, Jessica Andrade and Tecia Torres.

Rose tells us she's got the right skillset to break the streak.

"My movement, the way that I move, the way that I think and my fighting spirit. They're all unique."

So, how does she see the fight going?

"My game plan is the same every time. I go in there and punch their face, take their back and choke 'em out. It may manifest differently each time but that's my goal and that's what I'm focused on."