Boxing

Ken Shamrock says his heart aches for Kimbo Slice -- saying the guy made a tremendous impact in the world of combat sports ... but never got the respect he truly deserved.

Shamrock -- who fought Slice (and lost) last year -- says Slice made one helluva splash in MMA and boxing ... but still had to battle extreme negativity from haters -- even when he won his fights.

"Even when he won a fight it seemed like he was never good enough," Shamrock says.

"When you really care about your fans and you really care about what you do then those things that come at you from a negative position ... it hurts ... especially when it comes in thousands of people with negative thoughts. It stings, it hurts."

Shamrock says he never spoke with Slice directly about it -- but says it was obvious Kimbo was affected by the negativity.

Muhammad Ali has died in a Phoenix-area hospital where he was battling respiratory issues ... according to a family spokesman.

The legendary boxer and humanitarian was 74 years old. He had checked into the hospital on Thursday and reps said he was in fair condition, but on Friday his health worsened throughout the day.

The family says his funeral will be held in Ali's hometown of Louisville, although the spokesman didn't specify a date. NBC News first reported his death.

Ali will be remembered as one of the most recognized figures worldwide -- after winning boxing's heavyweight title 3 different times ... with the first coming in a KO of Sonny Liston in 1964.

He was as famous for his boxing matches -- the "Rumble in the Jungle," the "Thrilla in Manila" -- as quotes like, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

Ali, born Cassius Clay, changed his name and converted to Islam in 1964. He also famously refused to enter the Vietnam War in 1967 as a conscientious objector.

Although he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1984 ... Ali remained very active at international events in and out of the sporting world. His lighting of the Olympic flame at the 1996 Atlanta games is considered one of the most iconic images in Olympic history.

The champ is survived by his wife Yolanda Williams and 9 children -- 7 daughters, 2 sons -- including Laila Ali, who became an undefeated boxing champ herself.

When he retired in 1981, Ali had 56 wins, 5 losses and 37 knockouts.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990 ... and will always hold the title of "The Greatest."

Shane Mosley is dashing the hell out of Amir Khan's Olympic dreams -- saying it would be DUMB AS HELL to fight at the '16 Games in Rio after the way he was brutally K.O.'d back in May.

FYI, Khan has expressed serious interest in fighting for Pakistan at the summer games -- after the International Boxing Association finally voted to allow pros to compete for gold.

But after watching Khan nearly get decapitated by Canelo Alvarez last month, Mosely tells TMZ Sports, the dude needs to rethink his plan.

"I don’t think after getting knocked the f*** out Khan should be talking about representing anyone."

Damn.

As for Mosely, the boxer says he WILL be in Rio for the games, but not to fight ...

"I think there are better people than me to represent the USA. I will be in Rio for the games though. And having a lot of sex on the beach."

Good plan.

Muhammad Ali has been hospitalized for a respiratory issue ... and he's currently in fair condition, this according to the boxer's spokesperson.

He spent 7 seasons in the NFL, but now, ex-Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards is thriving in a different sport -- BOXING ... where he's already racked up an impressive 10-0 record.

The 31-year-old has been fighting as a heavyweight ever since he left the NFL in 2012 -- since, you know, he's massive ... 6'5", 268 lbs.

But Ray's new career ain't some hobby -- he's sparred with heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder and says he has his sights set on a a real deal title fight. He even has some opponents in mind.

** WARNING -- VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC LANGUAGE **

More verbal diarrhea from boxing champ Tyson Fury ... this time he's threatening to sexually assault heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder if the two ever step in the ring.

The homophobic, sexist, anti-semite was talking with iFLTV about possible fights with WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder and IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua when things got vulgar. (starts around 3:40)

"I don't want their belts, but I'll let 'em fight me," Fury said ... "I'll bend 'em over and BOOM -- split them down the middle with this long d***."

He then specifically went after Wilder ... saying, "Wilder's my man, 'til I get hold of him. Then he's gonna be my bitch."

Forget Iron Man and Captain America ... Mr. T says there's a real life superhero among us ... Muhammad Ali ... 'cause T claims he witnessed Ali actually stop crimes in rough neighborhoods.

Sylvester Stallone says he'd definitely pay good money to see Floyd Mayweather fight Conor McGregor -- though he's pretty sure Floyd would beat that ass!

Floyd Mayweather just came up HUGE for a crazy talented family of break dancers in desperate need of cash -- shelling out $10,000 to help them make it big, TMZ Sports has learned.

The dance group is called "The Finest Family" -- comprised of 6 adorable siblings from Chicago ... led by their dad, Henry.

They're incredible dancers -- but they've struggled financially for years. Henry says the family spent 6 months living out of their van in Chicago.

That was before Floyd came into the picture roughly 4 years ago ... saw them dance, became an instant fan and vowed to be a mentor for life. They've since been featured on shows like "Steve Harvey."

But earlier this month, with the family in serious need of cash (they wash cars to make ends meet), Mayweather contacted the crew and flew them out to Vegas to check in.

Get this ... during the trip, Mayweather pulled out $10,000 IN CASH and gave it to the family ... telling them, "Whatever you need, let me know."

"He's been a blessing," Henry said of Floyd ... "He's amazing."

Ex-boxing champ Jermain Taylor just caught a HUUUGE break -- he will NOT go to prison for his role in multiple frightening and violent incidents ... as long as he keeps his nose clean.

Taylor appeared in court for 3 different cases:

1) The time he shot his cousin in 2014

2) The time he pulled out a gun at an MLK Day parade and fired shots in the air

3) The time he beat up a fellow patient at the rehab facility where he was being treated

Taylor had previously pled guilty to 2 counts of battery, 2 counts of terroristic threats, 5 counts of aggravated assault and possesion of a controlled substance.

On Friday, the former champ was back in an Arkansas courtroom -- where the judge gave him a 19 year suspended prison sentence.

Which means ... as long as Taylor completes 120 hours of community service, pays fines and court costs and passes regular drug screening tests, he will NOT serve the 19 year sentence.

But one screwup ... and the judge could force him to serve the entire term behind bars.

Here's Conor McGregor BOXING -- trading shots with a former IBO champion at a prestigious L.A. boxing gym ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

It all went down at Box 'N Burn gym in Brentwood -- when the UFC superstar stepped in the ring with former IBO welterweight champ Chris van Heerden to see if he could hang.

This is the video cops say could prove Adrien Broner beat up and robbed a man outside of a Cincinnati bowling alley back in January.

The footage, obtained by TMZ Sports, was shot outside of Madison Bowl on January 21st ... while the boxer allegedly demanded thousands of dollars back from a man he was gambling with inside the alley.

We broke the story ... Broner's accuser claims they had been wagering thousands of dollars in high stakes bowling matches ... with Broner losing a fortune. Broner allegedly demanded the money back outside the alley, and when the man refused, Adrien got violent ... knocking the man out cold.

In the video, which was submitted as evidence in the case, you can hear a voice which sounds like Broner demanding his money back ... but it's dark and blurry -- so, not exactly a smoking gun.

You can, however, hear people imploring Broner -- "A.B. chill ... A.B. c'mon!"

Broner has been charged with felonious assault and robbery -- and faces serious prison time if convicted.

Charlamagne Tha God let former boxing champ Shawn Porter do something rappers have wanted to do to Charlamagne for years ... punch him in the face ... in a live sparring match in NYC yesterday.

It all went down at Gleason's boxing gym on Wednesday afternoon ... and we're told the whole thing was the idea of Shawn's dad and trainer, Kenny, who's pretty good friends with Mr. Tha God.

Check out the clip -- Charlamagne isn't exactly Sugar Ray Robinson in there, but gets in enough good shots to not look like a newbie.

BTW -- Porter is training for a huge title fight against Keith Thurman later this month ... by fighting a guy who sits down for a living.

The end of an era could be near ... 'cause legendary boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer says he's considering SELLING the rights to his insanely famous "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" catchphrase!

This is a HUUUGE deal ... 71-year-old Buffer has been ferociously protective of the phrase, which he famously trademarked in 1992 -- and the rights to it could be worth a FORTUNE!!!

So, it was shocking when he told us Wednesday night that he's thinking about retiring -- and selling the rights once and for all.

Good news for Conor McGregor ... Freddie Roach says he's absolutely down to train him as a boxer.

Bad news for Conor McGregor ... Freddie says CM needs 3 YEARS before he'll be ready to fight Floyd.

Roach -- widely regarded as the best boxing trainer in the world -- was talking with "Fight Hub TV" when he said he got a call from someone (presumably from Conor's camp) asking to train the UFC star.

Freddie insists he's up for the challenge ... but says if Conor thinks he can hang with Mayweather, he's out of his Irish mind.

"I'd have to train him for at leat 3 years to get him ready for Mayweather," Roach said.

Even the props on Justin Bieber's tour have swag ... including the boxing gloves he uses in the show ... which were actually custom made for Floyd Mayweather ... TMZ Sports has learned.

If you haven't seen the show (shame on you) Justin does little a shadow boxing during his (very emotional) performance of "I'll Show You" ... and drapes a pair of boxing gloves around his neck.

We spoke to Elvis Grant -- the guys who makes Floyd's $2,500 gloves -- and he tells us the gloves you see are -- or were Floyd's -- created for his mega-fight against Canelo Alvarez in 2013.

Fun Fact -- When a big deal boxer like Mayweather has a bout, multiple pairs of gloves are commissioned in case something goes wrong ... and Elvis tells us Bieber snagged a pair of backups.

Pretty cool ... and ultra pimp considering those gloves are worth around $2,500.