Boxing

A broken arm ... a snapped pinkie ... and evidence of extreme torture -- just a few of the injuries suffered by one of the men allegedly beaten by Floyd Mayweather's crew ... and TMZ Sports has the X-rays.

We broke the story ... two men have lawyered up, claiming Mayweather ordered them to be beaten to a pulp recently because he suspected they stole jewelry from his Vegas home.

One of the victims had X-rays taken after the alleged incident and they show a variety of painful injuries, including:

-- Broken right pinkie
-- Severe swelling of the left hand
-- Broken left ulna
-- Cracked right ulna
-- Multiple fractures in left hand that required pins to reset the bones

We're told the left arm was so badly broken, doctors drilled into the bone to attach a titanium plate so it would reset.

The men claim Mayweather was present during the attack, but it's unclear if the boxing champ actually participated in the beating.

The Mission: Boxing legend Bernard Hopkins wanted to take a stab at being a TMZ paparazzi on the streets of NYC today.

The Target: MTV star Kristin Cavallari ... who also happens to be married to Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler.

The Result: Bernard started off strong ... but things fizzled pretty quickly when it became clear Kristin had no idea who he was.

The Best Part: Bernard's post-shoot analysis ... where he talks about his paparazzi strengths and weaknesses ... and reminds us that Kristin's smokin' hot.

Floyd Mayweather allegedly orchestrated a savage attack on two of his employees he suspected of stealing his jewelry ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ Sports ... the two men had been hired to work on Floyd's Vegas homes ... but when jewelry went missing, Floyd pointed the finger at them.

We're told the men claim they were contacted several weeks ago and instructed to meet Floyd at an off-site location.

When the men arrived, they claim Floyd was waiting for them -- along with a number of his "people" -- who proceeded to beat the living crap out of them with various weapons, including clubs.

Our sources say the attack was so brutal the men could have easily died. Both men had broken arms and legs and were hospitalized for several days.

One source put it this way, "It was some 'Breaking Bad' s**t."

We're told the men are adamant they never took anything from Floyd and it appears Floyd realizes that now. But here's the problem for the champ -- sources familiar with the situation say the attack amounts to attempted murder, mayhem and kidnapping. We're told the men have retained a lawyer.

We reached out to Floyd's people for comment -- so far, no word back.

He might be the welcher-weight champion of the world ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned Antonio Tarver was sued over unpaid gambling debts by TWO VEGAS CASINOS before his problems with the Wynn.

According to court docs, Tarver got into some trouble with the MGM Grand and the Bellagio back in 2009 after taking out a heavy-duty gambling marker at each hotel and failing to pay it back.

MGM Grand says ... Tarver borrowed $100k but only paid back $10k
Bellagio says ... Tarver borrowed $50k but only paid back $5k.

They sued -- and according to court records, both casinos got their money back two years later.

But Tarver didn't learn his lesson. As we previously reported, the 45-year-old was locked up for allegedly skipping out on a $200,000 gambling marker from the Wynn stemming from 2012.

Tarver suggested his friend would help him repay the debt -- as long as he gets back in the ring and starts boxing again.

We spoke to Tarver's reps who insist the guy does NOT have a gambling problem.

Wanna bet?

If boxing phenom Adrien Broner is trying to make noise outside the ring -- he found the right way to do it ... teaming up with Rick Ross on a new rap that's all about spendin' cash and stripper ass.

The 24-year-old former WBC champ just dropped his new joint, "40," which includes lyrics like:

-- "Hit the club at 12:40 with like 40 on me"
-- "The watch I got, it cost me 40."
-- “Miami nightlife [King of Diamonds] man they took 40 pictures"
-- "Man there was 40 bottles of liquor and 40 strippers"
-- "Strapped at the 40/40 with two 40s on me”

Interesting timing for Broner to drop the new song, considering Floyd Mayweather just told the media he thinks Broner should spend less time rapping and more time boxing.

Fun Fact -- In 3 years, Mayweather will be 40.

Antonio Tarver has just been released from a Florida jail ... and tells TMZ Sports he plans to hit the gym tomorrow to restart his boxing career so he can pay back his $200,000 debt.

Tarver was locked up in FL on a warrant from Nevada -- stemming from allegations he never repaid the Wynn Las Vegas on a $200,000 gambling marker from a 2012 gambling binge.

But Wednesday evening, Tarver says famed boxing manager Al Haymon spotted him the cash to post bail -- and he was released from the Pinellas County Jail. We confirmed Tarver has been released.

When we spoke with Tarver, the 45-year-old insinuated that Haymon ALSO spotted him the cash to repay the entire $200k debt to Wynn.

"It was a debt that I had," Tarver admits ... "a hiccup in the road."

Tarver says he's hard up for cash -- and hasn't "made a dime in two years" -- but vows to repay his debt to Haymon with his fists.

"With Al, it's all about friendship first ... I'm gonna pay him back by becoming the next heavyweight champion."

There's a major sports star who's trying to get the rights to call himself the "Black Mamba" -- only it's not Kobe Bryant, it's Floyd Mayweather's uncle ... who's been using the nickname for decades.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Roger Mayweather -- a former boxing champ turned trainer -- filed a trademark application with the U.S.P.T.O. hoping to win the rights to the mark, "Roger 'Black Mamba' Mayweather."

FYI -- Roger says he gave himself the nickname years ago after watching a nature show about reptiles.

According to official documents, Roger is in the final stages of locking down the trademark ... which he intends to use to brand his boxing empire (personal training, coaching, etc).

But get this ... when researching the trademark claims on "Black Mamba," we couldn't find any evidence showing Kobe has ever tried to trademark the name for himself.

We did find applications for condom brands, carbonated drinks, male enhancement products, spinal implants, cigars and more ... but nothing from Bryant.

10:34 AM PT -- TMZ Sports has now obtained the original criminal complaint filed against Tarver in Nevada in 2013 ... which shows he was charged with fraud and theft for taking out the money in 2012 and never paying it back.

According to the criminal complaint, both charges are felonies ... which means Tarver could be facing some real slammer time.

Former boxing champ Antonio Tarver never paid back $200,000 in gambling markers to the Wynn Las Vegas from a gambling binge in 2012 ... so says a lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports.

Tarver was arrested in Florida over the weekend on a warrant out of Nevada -- the arrest documents were vague about the nature of the alleged offense.

Now, we know ... Tarver is the target of a criminal investigation for allegedly not settling several gambling markers he took at the Wynn during a 4-day gambling binge in July 2012.

According to the Wynn, Tarver took out $50k on July 24, 2012 ... another $50k on July 26 ... and $100k on July 27 ... totaling $200k.

2:48 PM PT -- According to court records, Tarver's legal problems in Nevada stem from a beef with the Wynn Las Vegas ... and it appears Wynn is accusing Tarver of not paying back a gambling marker.

The records show that Wynn went after Tarver for "breach of contract" ... which happens to be the same accusation that Wynn made against "Girls Gone Wild" honcho Joe Francis for allegedly not paying back a $2 million gambling marker he took out in 2007.

Former boxing champ Antonio Tarver -- who also appeared in "Rocky Balboa" -- was arrested in Florida on Saturday stemming from a warrant out for his arrest in Nevada.

Law enforcement sources tell us the 45-year-old fighter was pulled over by the Florida Highway Patrol for a routine "tag violation" ... and during the stop, the trooper noticed the warrant.

According to reports, Tarver was wanted in Nevada for failing to appear in court. Apparently, Tarver was out on bail at the time he skipped court ... so the bench warrant was issued.

We're still working on finding out details from the original Nevada court case ... but it appears he's accused of writing bad checks.

Now, Tarver is locked up in FL -- but officials in Nevada are looking to extradite him back to the Silver State.

The UFC is exploding in popularity ... but the sport of boxing is still more respected than MMA ... so says former boxing champ Sugar Shane Mosely.

The 42-year-old was leaving Supper Club in Hollywood Saturday night when he explained why he thinks the UFC is still playing catch up to boxing when it comes to respect.

Shane -- who's retired -- also says he still thinks he can fight with the best in the world ... but wants to leave the sport in younger hands ... like his 23-year-old son, who's training to be just like his old man.

The mother of ex-boxing champ Pernell Whitaker tells TMZ Sports ... she was "shocked" her son EVICTED her from her home Wednesday -- but says she refuses to beg him to stay in the house.

We spoke to Novella Whitaker -- who had been living in a Virginia home Pernell said he bought for her more than 30 years ago ... until Pernell went to court and had her legally evicted so he could sell the place to pay bills.

73-year-old Novella tells us, "I was shocked when I heard what Pernell was doing. I wish I had been smart and had the house put in my name. Then he couldn't have done this."

Novella says she refuses to beg Pernell to let her stay in the house -- explaining, "I'm not asking him for anything. I'm gonna be okay."

"My daughter Zelda is taking me in," Novella says ... "She has enough room. I feel comfortable over there. I'm fine now, but I thought it was such a mean and sad thing for my son to do to me."

As for Pernell, he bought the place for his mom back in 1984 at the height of his career when he was rollin' in dough. Now, he's desperate for cash ... and after a judge signed off on the eviction, he called the court victory a "beautiful moment."

The stripper who was fired for taking photos with Katy Perry -- INSIDE A STRIP CLUB -- has moved on to bigger and richer things ... Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The stripper -- Devon -- Instagrammed the photo Wednesday night in Vegas after randomly running into Money May ... who's worth a reported $170 million ... way more than Katy Perry.

TMZ broke the story ... Devon lost her stripper job in Santa Barbara earlier this month after management found out she'd been taking pics with Katy inside the strip club ... where Katy spent thousands of dollars.

TMZ later posted the photos.

Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.'s career isn't over -- in fact, he tells TMZ Sports, he's officially taking a shot at a brand new title ... MAYOR.

45-year-old Jones -- the first former middleweight champion to win a heavyweight title in 106 years back in 2003 -- tells us, he plans to run for Mayor of his hometown Pensacola, Florida at the next election.

And he's serious too -- the HBO analyst says he's already prepared all the necessary paperwork ... and got TEN TIMES the required number of signatures to make himself eligible (nearly 5,000 to be exact).

As for his policies -- Jones says he wants to focus on children, telling us, "A lot of kids don't have proper leadership at home. I'm willing to try and be that person for them."

He adds, "I tell the kids, don't fight in the streets. Go into MMA, go into boxing. Do something that someone can be proud of you for."

Jones is confident he can win too -- "I've been opposed my whole life, and I've always won."

Can't argue with that.

George Zimmerman will not be bare-knuckle brawling ... TMZ has learned the celebrity boxing match has been canceled again after Trayvon Martin's family refused to accept any money from the fight's promoter.

As we reported ... FilmOn.com CEO Alki David wanted Zimmerman to fight multiple high profile opponents in a fight-club style match ... and said he would donate all profits to the foundation created by Trayvon Martin's family.

But late today the foundation told TMZ it would NOT take any money from the fight, saying it "stands boldly against any act of violence" and would reject David's donations.

When we called David for comment he decided to pull the plug altogether, saying ... "I respect the wishes of the family and in light of this we are canceling the event."

The original bout -- planned with DMX -- was axed when the first promoter got 2nd thoughts ... and death threats.

George Zimmerman's celebrity boxing match -- abruptly cancelled when the promoter pulled the plug yesterday -- is back on again ... promising to be a much bloodier event ... according to a promoter who claims to have taken over the fight.

An online streaming service called FilmOn.com says it secured the rights to a Zimmerman fight ... after the original promoter, Damon Feldman pulled out because of threats made against his kids.

FilmOn says it's gonna give the public what it wants -- blood -- and tells us DMX is out as the challenger because "much bigger names than DMX" want in.

The owner of FilmOn, Alki David, tells TMZ ... the fight will no longer be a celebrity boxing match... "this is going to be like Fight Club ... a very bloody event." Alki says the fight will happen March 15 from a secret location ... and all profits will go to the Trayvon Martin Foundation.

But TMZ has learned the resurrected fight is not yet a done deal -- we're told FilmOn is still negotiating with Feldman for the rights and nothing has been signed.

Feldman withdrew from the fight yesterday after he said he was bombarded with threats. One Tweet said, "Somebody should kill Damon Feldman's son and ask him would he put his son's killer in a celebrity boxing match."

Sticky Fingaz won't be satisfied seeing George Zimmerman knocked out in a boxing ring -- instead the Onyx rapper wants to see him SHOT ... and wasn't afraid to say it on camera.

Sticky laid down a major rant this weekend when we asked about the Zimmerman boxing match being canceled, telling us ... "Everybody gonna be mad at me for saying this, but I don't give two s**ts. Somebody should f**king clap that ni**a!"

Ironically, his rant came just hours after Trayvon Martin's own family held a rally for peace to mark what would have been his 19th birthday.

Sticky is not in a forgiving place, adding ... "Zimmerman is not a f**king celebrity. He's a f**king savage animal that killed a young black teen."