TMZ Sports - Page 50

Antonio Brown's longtime personal trainer has completely cut ties with the Steelers superstar ... saying working with A.B. is "bad business."

A.B. and Florida-based fitness expert Bo Smith were inseparable for years ... and the duo had documented their intense workouts on social media.

But that's all come to an end ... with Smith sharing news of the messy breakup on Instagram, saying "I had to walk away & remove myself from the bulls**t! Be a MAN of your WORD and own up to your WRONGS as a MAN should, Communication is KEY!"

He added ... "I've learned to walk away from anything or anyone that THREATENS my PEACE of MIND, SELF-RESPECT, VALUES, MORALS or SELF WORTH."

Unclear exactly what caused the rift -- but it doesn't sound good.

The situation sounds similar to Brown's split with his personal chef -- who split from the NFL star last year in a public, bitter breakup.

Smith should be able to rebound -- he's trained a laundry list of big athletes including Chad Johnson and Geno Smith.

Kurt Angle owes his entire pro wrestling career to Ric Flair -- telling TMZ Sports it was the Nature Boy who talked him into signing with WWE instead of WCW.

Angle was at a WWE 2K18 party over the weekend when we asked if he had a message for the wrestling icon, who's recovering from a medical emergency.

"I learned a lot from Ric Flair," Angle said ... "He's the guy that pushed me to go to WWE instead of the WCW."

"I was ready to do a deal with WCW and he said, 'No, go to WWE cause Vince McMahon will know what to do with you.'"

What's interesting ... Flair was actually with the WCW at the time he counseled Angle.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler has been formally charged with 3 misdemeanors for allegedly roughing up a dude in an apartment parking lot last month ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, Fowler has been charged with 1st degree misdemeanor battery, criminal mischief and petty theft.

As we previously reported, Fowler was initially arrested after cops say he got into an altercation with a man who criticized his driving -- and proceeded to hit the man, knock off his glasses, stepped on them ... and then grabbed the man's bag of newly purchased liquor and threw it in a nearby lake.

If convicted on all counts, Fowler faces about a year behind bars.

Fowler has since apologized for the incident -- telling Jaguars fans, "I'm a better person than that."

Blake Griffin thinks LeBron James could end up in NYC -- but that's news to LeBron James.

Bron was leaving Coral Tree Cafe in Brentwood on Sunday when we asked about the prediction Griffin made on the "View From the Cheap Seats" podcast ... that LeBron will leave Cleveland for the Knicks.

"Honestly, I don’t see him coming to L.A. period," Griffin said ... "I could see him going to New York before L.A."

So, how did Bron feel about that?

"I don't even know what you're talking about, shawty," LeBron told our female photog ... right before hopping into his clean white Porsche.

Justin Bieber is not only off Floyd Mayweather's Money Team, he's now one of Floyd's mortal enemies ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to both Justin and Floyd tell us, the folks at the Hillsong Church have been counseling Justin for months on taking a hard look at his friends and pulling back from those who are bad influences.

We're told church pastors did not single out Floyd as a bad influence, but Justin decided on his own he needed some distance. Our sources say Justin didn't want a clean break from Floyd, he just wanted to "reset boundaries" ... walling himself off from things like Floyd's obsession with strip clubs.

Justin unfollowed Floyd on Instagram as part of the resetting of boundaries, and our sources say Floyd went "insane, nuclear." He lashed out at Justin, called him a "traitor" because Floyd had stuck with Justin during his meltdown when everyone was attacking Bieber.

Sources connected with Floyd say the boxer continues to be incensed at Justin ... screaming incensed.

Now it makes sense why Justin curiously told a photog last week he didn't think Floyd would knock Conor McGregor out at next Saturday's fight.

Lonzo Ball says he's incredibly thankful to Jay-Z for ordering 3 pairs of his ZO2 kicks -- but reminds the mogul the shoes ain't coming for another 3 months!

We got Lonzo out in Bev Hills over the weekend -- after dropping some cash at Louis Vuitton -- and asked about Jay publicly and privately throwing his support behind the Big Baller Brand.

"I'm just thankful man," the Lakers rookie said ... "Appreciate it."

Lonzo says he hasn't met with Jay and doesn't know too much about the business side of the shoe line -- "I just play basketball man. I don't handle that."

As for Jay's one complaint ... that he hasn't received any of the shoes yet -- Lonzo reminded Hov that they aren't scheduled to ship until November.

As we previously reported, Jay appeared on "Rap Radar" podcast on Tidal last week and told Elliott Wilson and B.Dot that he's backing the BBB brand because it's important for him to help black owned businesses.

Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio has Sean Smith's back -- sorta.

Del Rio was asked about Smith's arrest over an alleged July 4 beatdown of his sister's boyfriend and produced a possible defense for the cornerback.

"He was defending his sister," Del Rio told SFGate.com ... "Obviously, things occurred that were taken issue with, so he’s having to defend himself right now.”

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Smith -- who signed a $40 MILLION contract last year -- was arrested for felony battery in Pasadena after cops said he beat and stomped the man so badly he was hospitalized in critical condition.

Smith's lawyer says his client is innocent and will fight the charges -- but Del Rio's comments essentially confirm he did get physical with the other man. So, the "It Wasn't Me" defense is out the window.

But even if Smith was "defending his sister" -- the law only affords someone the right to use "reasonable force" to stop an imminent attack.

Based on the injuries the man suffered -- multiple broken bones, unconscious when police arrived, critical condition -- it sounds like officials believe Smith exceeded that standard.

NBA star Emmanuel Mudiay made a dream come true for one of the best junior high basketball players in the country Tuesday ... when he challenged the 8th grader to some 1-on-1!!

It all went down at Mudiay's skills academy at the YMCA in Albany, NY where Mudiay took on 13-year-old Dior Johnson -- and the kid straight-up BALLED OUT!!

Mudiay clearly didn't go 100% -- he was wearing Vans -- but that doesn't take away from the crazy impressive shots Dior hit. At one point, he makes 5 straight 3-pointers!!

But Mudiay ends up getting his revenge by throwing the hammer down on the young baller to end the game.

FYI, Dior ain't no joke -- he's widely regarded as one of the top young prospects in the country ... and if things go the right way, you could see him in the 2023 NBA Draft.

TMZ Sports has put our investigative resources to good use ... and found out the identities of the Corona Girls who've been tapped to work the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight.

You're welcome.

Meet Kyra Keli, Tawny Jordan, Jessica Harbour, and Samantha Kumiko ... 4 of the women who will be working the ring during the August 26 fight.

As we previously reported, Corona won the bid to become the official beer sponsor of the fight and will provide the ring girls.

We're told the women are STOKED -- not only because they're getting the best seats in the house for the fight, but they feel like they'll be showcased to a HUGE audience!

Huge sporting events mean huge money for sex workers ... but cops in Vegas have a message for tourists -- if you're gonna pay for it, KEEP IT LEGAL!

Captain America. Wonder Woman. The Olympian?

Marvel's roster is full of badass superheroes -- and Team USA legend Gabby Douglas wants to join the squad.

Gabby recently announced that she's gonna take her talents to Hollywood ... so when we saw her at LAX, we had to ask what her dream acting job would be.

Without hesitation, she told TMZ Sports she wanted to be the next crime-fightin' megastar.

Gabby's shootin' HIGH right out the gates ... but we're pretty sure she's got the moves to do it.

Ice Cube dished out some life lessons as the guest speaker during a Seattle Seahawks team meeting, but the gist of his speech echoed one of his hit tracks -- Do ya thang!

The rapper made a surprise visit to the Seahawks' facility Saturday along with NBA legend Allen Iverson -- the 2 are in town for the BIG3 playoffs Sunday at KeyArena -- and coach Pete Caroll let Cube address his squad.

Among the topics he broached was the choice to sit or stand during the National Anthem, a hot-button issue for the NFL. Ice made his stance pretty clear -- all players have the freedom to make their own decision.

The team meeting changed pace afterward when a free throw contest broke out between A.I. and cornerback Richard Sherman. Check out the vid for 'the answer' of who won.

We've got some great Nature Boy news -- Ric Flair is "awake, communicating and progressing" ... according to his rep.

The legendary wrestler's been hospitalized in critical condition since early this week after undergoing surgery and suffering from multiple organ problems. ... but it sounds like he's making strides toward recovery.

He's definitely not out of the woods yet, though -- his rep Melinda says there are still "complications" ... so Ric needs his rest.

Melinda thanked fans for the outpouring of prayers and well wishes and says Flair's a survivor -- Hulk Hogan would agree -- and that he's even been able to cut a promo on a nurse.

A very, very good sign indeed. Get well soon, Nature Boy!!!

Hulk Hogan is thanking God Ric Flair seems to be doing better after his medical emergency.

Hulk was at Newark Airport Friday when he told the photog his famous counterpart seems to be improving. As we reported, Ric had been placed in a medically-induced coma earlier this week and underwent surgery Monday.

As far as we know Ric is still in critical condition after suffering multiple organ problems.

On a much lighter note, Hulk scoffs at Stone Cold Steve Austin, who just bragged he could easily go toe-to-toe with the Hulkster.

Sugar Ray Leonard seemed genuinely shocked that Floyd Mayweather told the world he will party every night from now through next Saturday, when he faces off with Conor McGregor.

The former champ seemed almost in disbelief that Floyd would do such a thing, although there's a good argument Floyd's saying it just to promote his Vegas gentleman's club, Girl Collection.

TMZ Sports has obtained injury photos from the man Robert Horry tried to fight at a youth basketball game ... which shows bloody damage to the man's neck.

We broke the story ... Horry is under investigation for allegedly attacking the opposing coach at his 10-year-old son's youth basketball tournament at L.A. Live on August 5.

The opposing coach tells TMZ Sports -- he was a big Horry fan BEFORE the tournament. But Robert was aggressive and out-of-line from the moment he got to the courts.

The coach -- who doesn't want to be named -- says Horry was cussing and talking trash before and during the game and initiated the violent encounter that was captured on video.

The coach says he was"terrified" of Horry and only shoved the 46-year-old to protect himself.

Horry tells a different story ... claiming the coach struck first.

Cops are currently investigating the incident.