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One of Ukraine's Olympic heroes is putting on his cape again by sacrificing his gymnastic silver medal in order to help his country fend off the Russian invaders.

Ruslan Mezentsev put his medal -- earned during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney -- on the auction block, and TMZ Sports has learned it's now sold for $14,438.

Bidding just ended on July 21, and as we first reported ... Ruslan had pledged to donate all the money to Ukraine, to help fund his homeland's war efforts against Russia. We're told the auction house even donated the buyer's premium.

The now 41-year-old Olympian was a member of his country's men's team when they competed in the all-around competition back in 2000. Ruslan participated in the floor exercise, pommel horse, and still rings.

Ultimately, he helped his team take home the silver medal by scoring 28.725 and bringing the team's total 230.306. The Ukrainians finished just 1.613 points behind China, which won the gold medal.

Now, that silver medal is in the hands of an anonymous bidder ... and Ruslan, who is originally from a town called Kropyvnytskyi in central Ukraine, is giving all the coins back to his country as the war continues.

Danny Garcia has an edge over José Benavidez that cannot be matched, no matter how many miles he runs, or rounds he spars ... the former world champ was born with an extra toe, and that's all the advantage he needs!

Sure, Danny's totally kidding ... but this is an excuse to talk about one of our favorite clips ever.

If you haven't seen it, back in 2015, the 36-3 welterweight took off his Jordan's and literally proved he had an extra digit on his foot.

So, when we recently talked to Danny, we asked the 34-year-old about the toe ... in addition to a bunch of serious questions about returning after a lengthy layoff, and whether Garcia can once again be champ.

"I'm gonna keep showing it off because when I was a kid, I was ashamed of it," Danny said, adding, "Now, I'm somebody. That six-toe brought me a long way."

And, perhaps the extra appendage has actually helped in some way ... "I've never been knocked down!"

All jokes aside, Garcia says he's ready for 30-year-old Benavidez (27-1-1) ... and understands there are doubters considering his last match was a loss to Errol Spence in 2020. But, Danny says he's as fast and strong as ever, and he's ready to rock.

"It was tough in the beginning but the way I've been sparring, the way I've been training, the way I've been running ... everything is stronger and faster," Garcia said.

"I didn't lose a step. I feel great!"

So, with the boxing skills and physical advantage, Garcia says Benavidez is gonna need a little more help to beat him come July 30 at the Barclays Center (on Showtime).

"I already got the advantage. I got an extra body part. He's gonna need an extra arm to beat me."

Comedian and actress Hana Mae Lee was 23 years old when she was cast as Lilly Onakuramara -- the beatboxing Bella who barely speaks in her college acapella group -- in the 2012 rom-com 'Pitch Perfect.'

Hana shared the Pitch Perfect trilogy stage with fellow Barden Bellas Anna Kendrick as the rebellious and talented Bella, Beca, Rebel Wilson as the confident and encouraging Bella, Fat Amy, Brittany Snow as the caring and affectionate Bella, Chloe, Anna Camp as the uptight and conservative Bella, Aubrey and Elizabeth Banks as one of the sarcastic commentators, Gail.

BTS fans finally have their chance to live just like their favorite boy band ... the house the K-Pop superstars once called home is now available for a once-in-a-lifetime overnight stay.

Airbnb is giving two lucky fans the chance to rest their heads in the same house the group lived in while filming season 2 of "IN THE SOOP BTS" in PyeongChang, South Korea.

The homes got plenty of features to make sure none of BTS' seven members ever got bored, and guests will be able to enjoy them as well ... including an outdoor pool with a unicorn-shaped float, a basketball court, a karaoke machine, and sound system and all of BTS hit tracks and albums.

Guests won't go hungry either ... with catered dishes that have been BTS approved -- including charcoal grilled Korean beef, which the boy band dubbed, "the best taste in the universe."

Airbnb will offer the one-night stay in a raffle next month with entries at $7 a pop -- in honor of the 7 members of the band.

Country music icon Hank Williams Jr.'s late wife, Mary Jane Thomas, died from a collapsed lung -- and it happened just one day after she'd gone under the knife.

Mary Jane's death is being classified as an accident according to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner, who says she suffered the fatal injury during a cosmetic procedure.

The Medical Examiner says Mary Jane underwent liposuction on her back, arms and stomach, and had her breast implants removed during the March 21 surgery.

The M.E. says she suddenly became unresponsive the following day, and she died.

TMZ broke the story ... Hank's wife of over 30 years died March 22 in Jupiter, FL, and a family member said the early indication was she'd suffered a complication from surgery.

That initial theory seems to be at least close to the truth. Mary Jane's plastic surgeon, Dr. Harold Bafitis, told the ME he was about to see her for a follow-up visit in her hotel room when she suddenly became unresponsive while sitting up in bed.

Shaquille O'Neal's son, Shareef, is continuing to work towards his dreams of making it to the NBA one day -- he just signed a 6-figure contract with the G League.

22-year-old Shareef will play for the Ignite -- a developmental team based in Nevada, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Shareef took to Twitter to express how pumped he was about the opportunity, writing, "VEGAS LETS DO IT !! Thank you, ignite !"

Specifics of the deal have yet to be disclosed ... but it means the young hooper is getting another shot at improving his game after teaming up with the Los Angeles Lakers' Summer League team this season.

Shareef averaged 4.5 points per game when he got playing time, and was efficient when he touched the rock ... shooting 60% from the field.

Shareef has plenty of people rooting for him ... like former Lakers head coach Byron Scott, who believes if he cleans up a few things in his game, he can play in the NBA like his father.

"I think he looked a little bit out of place," Scott said of O'Neal's Summer League play. "He wasn’t ready. I think he still has a little ways to go. I think the talent is there. Obviously, the athleticism is there."

Britney Spears is officially back in the studio, joining forces with Elton John for a remake of one of his greatest hits ... TMZ has confirmed.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us ... the two artists linked up on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week to record a new rendition of EJ's "Tiny Dancer."

We're told the song is currently still being mixed. Page Six, which broke the story, reports Britney and Elton actually met up in person at a Beverly Hills studio to cut the song -- and that it's due out through Universal Music in August. Andrew Watt is said to be the overseeing producer. We're told it will be released within a month.

Of course, this is huge news ... as it would mark Britney's official comeback to the music industry -- this after being released from the conservatorship and regaining her freedom.

BS has signaled she wants to get back to work, but has also been taking her time readjusting to a normal life ... and also getting married, among other life adventures. As fans of hers know, Britney still very much has song and dance running through her veins.

She constantly records herself at her home doing new choreography and routines -- and recently, we've heard her clear out her pipes with an oldie-but-goodie song of her own.

Congratulations are in order for Bre Tiesi -- the model and Nick Cannon just welcomed their baby son to the world!!

Tiesi -- Johnny Manziel's ex-wife -- announced the news on Monday ... saying it was an at-home, unmedicated birth.

"This was the most humbling / limit pushing yet awakening and completely empowering experience," Tiesi said on Instagram.

"This experience has changed me forever and I couldn’t of asked for a more amazing and supportive partner. Daddy showed the f up for us ... I couldn’t of (sic) done it without you. 💙 I can’t believe he’s here 🤗."

This is Cannon's eighth child and Tiesi's first.

NC addressed the news in Tiesi's comments ... saying, "You never cease to amaze me!! Full of passion, drive, focus, brilliance and most importantly love!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️."

"Honored and privileged to experience this beautiful miracle with you! Thank you for the greatest gift any human can give to another. For this my love is forever indebted."

We broke the story ... Nick and Bre went public with the pregnancy back in January, announcing at a baby shower they were having a baby boy.

Manziel -- who was married to Tiesi from 2018-2021 -- has yet to speak out on the baby's birth ... but his sister, Meri, liked Bri's post, so we're assuming he's heard the news.

Paul Sorvino, famous for his work in "Goodfellas," has died at the age of 83 ... TMZ has learned.

Sorvino's rep, Roger Neal, tells us he died this morning with his wife Dee Dee by his side. Dee Dee says, "Our hearts are broken, there will never be another Paul Sorvino, he was the love of my life, and one of the greatest performers to ever grace the screen and stage.”

Paul appeared in nearly 50 movies during a long career in Hollywood, and he's best known for playing mobster Paul Cicero in the 1990 Martin Scorsese masterpiece, "Goodfellas."

He also played Henry Kissinger in the 1995 movie "Nixon" and Fulgencio Capulet in 1996's "Romeo + Juliet." Paul made his film debut in 1970 with "Where's Poppa?" and also acted in TV shows like "Law & Order" and on Broadway.

One of Paul's last roles was the TV show "Godfather of Harlem," where he played Frank Costello.

Sorvino was born and raised in Brooklyn ... his father was an immigrant from Italy. Paul wanted to be an Opera singer before getting into acting while studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

Paul lived with severe asthma, mastering different breathing techniques to manage his condition, writing a best-selling book, "How to Become a Former Asthmatic," and starting the Sorvino Asthma Foundation.

He has 3 children, including Oscar winning actress Mira Sorvino and actor/producer Michael Sorvino.

Mira is one of Harvey Weinstein's accusers and the last time we saw Paul, he was pretty pissed with HW.

He was 83.

The owner of Raising Cane's is buying a lottery ticket for every employee he's got -- a nice bonus to be split by everyone if one of the tickets turns out to be a winner.

Todd Graves has vowed to spend around $100K on the Mega Millions, a $2 ticket for every single one of his 50,000 employees he's got throughout the company. If you didn't know ... the Mega Millions is at an incredible $810 million, the 4th biggest prize ever.

Of course, once you factor out taxes and everything else, the 50,000 employees would likely walk away with $10K-$20K each ... not too shabby!!!

In an interview with WVUE, Graves said his crew always stands together, which is why he's looking to bring some extra fun into their job -- and hopefully some extra cash.

A cop forcefully grabbed Green Bay Packers star AJ Dillon and shoved him in the back during a soccer game at Lambeau Field this weekend ... and now, police say they've launched an internal review into the matter.

The incident happened on Saturday -- when during a weather delay at the Manchester City vs. FC Bayern match, Dillon hopped down onto the field in order to rile up fans in attendance.

According to Dillon, two security guards gave him permission to be on the field, and even helped him get down from his seat "so I could do a lambeau leap and hype up the crowd."

But, videos show one cop apparently didn't get that message -- and got physical with the tailback as he was preparing to jump over the wall behind one of the end zones.

The cop eventually let go of the 24-year-old -- who later said despite the aggressive nature of the interaction, he wasn't upset about it at all.

"Just miscommunication between parties," Dillon wrote on his Twitter page on Sunday. "The @GBPolice are great people and I’m glad we have them down there for our games to keep us safe. Standing there in the pouring rain with all those people it’s hard to know what’s going on with just one. All good."

A spokesperson for the Green Bay Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports ... "It is clear that there was a miscommunication between the Officer and Mr. Dillon."

"The Green Bay Police Department appreciates the perspective and supportive words from Mr. Dillon. The Green Bay Police Department Professional Standards/Internal Affairs Division has initiated a review of this incident."

Britney Spears says she begged her family for help while in a mental health facility, but got no response ... a claim her mom, Lynne, is now shooting down with hope they can reconcile.

Britney got on Instagram Sunday to share text screenshots she sent to her friend, lawyer, and mom during her time in the facility ... with a caption that read "It's a little different with proof."

She claims she got "no response" from everyone, even after telling Lynne she thought they were trying to kill her. However, Lynne posted screenshots of her own Monday showing the same convo and her responses she sent Britney.

Lynne says she has the "full conversations," too ... possibly alluding to her side of the texts that might've been left out as well. She captions the post, "I hurt for you that you feel the people who love you the most betrayed you! Let me come to you! I love you!"

As we reported, Britney also posted and deleted a picture of her sister Jamie Lynn with their dad, Jamie ... claiming the two were having meetings while the rest of the world was dealing with COVID.

Eleven members of the Texas State Legislature have fired off a letter to Sidley Austin, one of the largest law firms in the U.S., threatening the firm and its lawyers with criminal prosecution and disbarment if they in any way facilitate abortions, even in other states.

The letter, sent to the Chair of the firm's management committee and obtained by TMZ, states the Texas Freedom Caucus -- run by the 11 Texas Republican representatives -- has become aware Sidley Austin is "reimbursing travel costs of employees who leave Texas to murder their unborn children." The Caucus also accuses the firm of complicity in performing illegal abortions.

Rep. Mayes Middleton, the Chair of the Caucus who signed the letter, warns Sidley Austin abortion is a felony in Texas unless the mother's life is in danger.  Middleton notes the law covers "drug-induced abortions if any part of the drug regimen is ingested in Texas, even if the drugs were dispensed by an out-of-state abortionist."

Middleton threatens, if Sidley Austin violates the law, the firm and all of the partners will be subject to criminal prosecution and disbarment.

And maybe the most ominous ... the letter says Sidley "may have aided or abetted drug-induced abortions in violation of the Texas Heartbeat Act, by paying for abortions (or abortion-related travel) in which the patient ingested the second drug in Texas after receiving the drugs from an out-of-state provider." The letter goes on to say there is litigation underway to uncover the identity of the lawyers who did this. The letter demands Sidley preserve all documents related to any lawyer who basically helped any woman get an abortion after Sept. 1, 2021 -- the date the Texas Heartbeat Act was enacted.

The letter goes on to warn the law firm and its 2,000 lawyers ... there will be new legislation in the next session of the Texas State Legislature that will specifically target law firms that pay for abortion or abortion-related travel.

The legislation would also give private citizens the right to sue anyone who pays for an elective abortion performed on a Texas resident ... whether they pay directly or reimburse. It will also incentivize citizens who bring these lawsuits with a $10,000 bounty if they prevail.

There's more ... the new legislation would require the Texas State Bar to disbar any attorney who violates the anti-abortion law. And, if the State Bar refuses to act, then members of the public can sue the State Bar and get a judge to require the Bar to disbar the offending lawyer.

And in case there are any D.A.'s who won't enforce the law ... the proposed legislation would give any D.A. in the State the right to prosecute even outside their jurisdiction.

Kylie Jenner might've hinted at a 3rd baby on the way, which could be here a lot sooner than we think ... after leaving a string of pregnant-themed emojis on Travis Scott's latest post.

Travis put up a pic of himself on Instagram Sunday, with the caption "Got there in a New York minute" ... while fans flocked to the comments, begging the rapper to drop his new album, Kylie had something else on her mind.

She replied with a tongue-out emoji, followed by 4 pregnant women emojis ... and speculators were at the ready.

Some folks think this means she's pregnant again, while others see it as a push for TS to give her another bambino -- one person noted, "Kylie baby girl you haven’t even introduced your second baby."

There were even some who thought the whole thing was fake ... "She's all about playing that game."

As you know, the baby formally known as Wolf was born in February ... but the name didn't stick and 6 months in they still haven't revealed the new moniker.

Kylie and Travis have been fueling the rumor mill lately ... she caught people's eyes last week when she flashed her hand toward the camera, with a big rock on her ring finger.

Britney Spears claims her sister Jamie Lynn was having meetings with their dad during COVID while the rest of the world was on lockdown ... but we're told that's not the case at all.

Sources close to Jamie Lynn tell TMZ she wasn't parading around with her dad in 2020 -- instead, she was stuck at home like everyone else, and believes Britney got her story completely wrong ...  saying the proof is clear as day.

Britney posted a photo Sunday of Jamie Lynn and Jamie as supposed evidence of their pandemic meetings, along with a lengthy caption ... but we're told the pic in question was in 2019, before the lockdown.

At the time of the photo, JL was just getting back into work after having her second daughter, Ivey, the year before ... she had intro meetings with a few streaming services and Jamie dropped her off on the way to the airport.

We're told he didn't attend the meeting with her, and the picture was taken when she was staying in Britney's guest room during the trip ... which is why Jamie Lynn's confused as to how her big sis forgot that.

As a result, we're told JL wishes Britney would leave her out of future posts -- believing this is just a blatant lie to make her look bad. BTW, Brit has since taken down the entire post.

Ben Affleck seems to be getting super emotional during his honeymoon with Jennifer Lopez -- but it's still all love between them.

The couple enjoyed a romantic sit-down Sunday in Paris ... they'd stopped off for dinner at a place called La Girafe in front of the Eiffel --  on Jen's 53rd birthday, no less. Perfect setting.

Based on these pics, it looks like BA might’ve had a tender moment that led to tears during the private meal — which went down without any of their kids around, a couple of whom have joined them in Europe.

Unclear why Ben might’ve been crying, but he had a shoulder to lean on ... J Lo embraced him in a hug -- which you can kinda see in the photos here. She's got a hand on his face.

Ben turned off the waterworks soon enough -- later, they had themselves a nice little stroll around town, just the 2 of them, and he was back to smiling.

Ben and Jen have been enjoying the city for the past several days now -- this after getting hitched last weekend on a whim in Vegas.