Boxing

How much does confidence cost? If you're 50 Cent, about $1.6 million ... 'cause that's how much the hip-hop star says he's going to bet on his old frenemy Floyd Mayweather Jr. to beat Manny Pacquiao.

50 and his G-Unit runnin' mate Tony Yayo sat down with "The Breakfast Club" this morning -- when Charlamagne Tha God asked Fiddy for his pick for the mega-fight in May.

"Champ 'gon smoke em ... it's gonna look like [the fight] was pumped up for no reason."

So why such a big bet? 50 says he spoke with Floyd at the Chris Brown concert last month -- the first time they've spoken in a while -- and says Mayweather is SUPER focused.

It's interesting ... considering 50 bashed the hell out of Mayweather on social media last year ... ripping on everything from his spending habits to his reading ability.

Wanna see something funny?

Mike Tyson told us he hadn't seen the Ronda Rousey fight yet ... because he didn't have enough time!!!

Don't worry, our guy told Mike the fight was only 14 seconds ... and Mike promised he'd watch it in his car.

Mike -- who says he's a big Rousey fan -- is no stranger to quick fights ... he once knocked a guy out in 8 SECONDS.

Enjoy.

Ronda Rousey can rest a little easier -- she won't have to pay MILLIONS for a ticket to the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight ... 'cause she's getting her tix for free ... TMZ Sports has learned!

The UFC badass told us earlier this week that she was concerned about the ticket prices for the fight of the century -- saying she had extra motivation to win the prize money at UFC 184 tonight so she could afford to go.

But when we raised the issue last night with Bob Arum -- Pacquiao's fight promoter -- he told us he's not only a HUGE Rousey fan ... but wants to HOOK HER UP with the most coveted tickets in sports.

#Respect

Ex-UFC fighter Kenny Florian says boxing's days are numbered ... and the number is 64 ... 'cause that's how many days are left until the Mayweather/Pacquiao showdown, which Florian tells TMZ Sports is the sport's last hurrah.

Florian -- who was a UFC badass from '05 to '12 -- was out at The Grove in L.A. when we asked him about the future of the other sport where guys break each other's faces.

Check out the clip -- Kenny says after Mayweather and Manny dance ... the music is going to stop ... because all of the big stars in combat sports are over in the UFC ... and NOT in pro boxing.

One man who disagrees -- Mark Wahlberg who told us M vs. P is just the beginning of boxing renaissance.

Just one month after he swore off singing forever, Manny Pacquiao has pulled a Jay Z -- UNRETIRING from music ... to record a brand new song the Floyd Mayweather fight!

Manny hit the studio recently (according GMA News in the Philippines) and laid down the tracks for "Lalaban Ako Para sa Pilipino" ... which we're told translates to "I Fight for Filipinos."

Our Filipino translators tell us Manny recorded to song specifically for his entrance music for the May 2nd superfight in Vegas.

It's an interesting move ... since Manny appeared on "TMZ Hollywood Sports" last month and told us he stopped singing forever because, "I love music ... but I don't think music loves me."

#ChangeOfHeart

UFC pain machine Ronda Rousey says she has EXTRA motivation to beat the living crap out of her opponent at UFC 184 this weekend ... she needs the prize money to pay for tickets to Mayweather vs. Pacquaio!!

The baddest woman in the history of MMA was training her ass off in L.A. yesterday ... while the DJ pumped salsa music through the gym ... and looked extra ferocious as she gears up for Cat Zingano.

But when we asked about a rivalry between boxing and MMA ... Ronda called BS -- saying ALL combat fighters have a respect for each other ... and that's why she's pumped for the big fight in May.

Manny Pacquiao's teammates are calling BS on reports that he'll continue playing pro basketball while training for the big fight ... telling TMZ Sports the Pac-Man is definitely putting his other career on hold for the time being.

We spoke to Manny's teammates on Kia Carnival -- a professional hoops team in the Philippine Basketball Association -- and they tell us despite reports to the contrary Pacquiao is 100% shutting it down.

"He's definitely not going to play until after the Mayweather fight," guard Karl Dehesa tells us.

It makes sense ... the fight is expected to be the biggest payday in boxing history so it'd be kinda crazy to risk injury ... especially for a guy who averages less than a point a game.

Manny is also the head coach for Kia Carnival, but Dehesa says he's pressing pause on that too.

"He hasn't been around since they announced the fight ... he's got a team of assistants that take over when he can't be in games or practice."

Dehesa added, "I love playing for Kia Carnival. Manny's an inspiration and we are all rooting for him. Plus, we can't wait for him to get back on the court!"

Here's Floyd Mayweather chowing down on a hot dog at the Lakers game Sunday night.

Mike Tyson could be the next Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson -- at least in Algeria anyway -- where the boxing legend just scored himself a role punching a TON of people in a big Algerian action flick.

Tyson's one of the stars of "Gates of the Sun" ... where it appears he plays a goon for hire who beats the crap out of people on behalf of his employers.

The flick, which hits theaters in March, also stars former Kung Fu champ Lorie Pester and Algerian actor Smaïn (who may or may not be a big deal in Algeria, we're not really sure).

So, what's the plot? The mob moves to Algeria ... and it's up to a "a super secret agent, martial arts specialist, who will do anything to defend Algeria and destroy that organization."

Unclear which side Tyson's on ... but one thing's for sure -- he's gonna punch so many people.

With cheap tickets going for around $4,000-a-pop, even the rich and famous are thinking twice about going to the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight ... including "Jane the Virgin" star Gina Rodriguez.

Besides the fact it's going to be the biggest "who's who" event of the year, Gina also happens to be a huge boxing fan ... and her father was a famous boxing referee (who worked the last Pacquiao fight).

But when we saw Gina out yesterday, she told us it's just too rich for her blood ... and with dad having retired, she doesn't even have the hookup anymore!!

FYI -- some experts believe ringside seats to the fight could go for anywhere from $50k to $100k on the secondary market.

3:19 PM PT -- Floyd just posted a picture of the signed contract on his Shots page ... saying, "What the world has been waiting for has arrived."

He added, "Mayweather vs. Pacuiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal. I promised the fans we would get this done and we did."

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is making it official what we already knew was coming for weeks -- TMZ Sports has learned his fight with Manny Pacquiao is set, the deal is signed -- and they'll be getting it on in Vegas on May 2nd.

As we previously reported, the two fighters reached an agreement to get in the ring back in January -- and the major issues, including date and location have been set for weeks.

Good work if you can get it folks ...

Not like he needs it, but Floyd Mayweather just bought EVEN MORE insane jewelry ... dropping $685,000 in a fancy NYC jewelry shop ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Mayweather just walked out of Pristine Jewelers with several members of his Money Team crew.

Our sources tell us ... Mayweather bought more than a dozen pieces of jewelry for himself and his posse.

Mayweather had hit up the store Thursday and talked about his spending plans with the store owners -- before returning on Friday afternoon to purchase the goods.

It's not the first time Floyd's gone on a high-priced jewelry spree ... he spent more than $500k on a bling run back in May.

#ItsGoodToBeRich

Jermain Taylor's psychiatrist says the boxer has been a complete "gentleman" at his lockdown mental facility ever since he was arrested on gun charges ... and is begging the judge to let him out.

As we previously reported, an Arkansas judge ordered Taylor to undergo a complete mental and physical evaluation after several disturbing incidents -- including an altercation at a parade where Taylor allegedly pulled a gun on a family and another incident where he shot his cousin.

But today in court, Taylor's shrink told the judge that while Taylor has some signs of impulse control problems (possibly due to boxing) ... he ultimately recommended Taylor be released ... with a few caveats.

The shrink says Taylor would need to be monitored, needs random drug and booze testing, needs therapy and would be forbidden from possessing a gun.

Taylor's shrink also said Jermain "seems to really want to change his life" and noted that when he's sober and away from guns, he's "not a danger."

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are both at the Miami Heat game RIGHT NOW -- sitting across the court from each other.

Sooooo ... STOP THE BASKETBALL GAME ... FIND SOME GLOVES AND LET'S DO THIS RIGHT NOW!!!

#WishfulThinking

Roc Nation Sports boxer Dusty Harrison-Hernandez tells TMZ Sports ... being a part of Jay's company is AWESOME ... not just because it's blowin' up his career, but he also met Rihanna.

20-year-old DHH is 25-0 and recently headlined the Roc's first "Throne Boxing" event in NYC ... where some of the biggest stars from the Roc Nation family came out to support, including CC Sabathia, RiRi and Jay himself.

"They made a big entrance," Dusty says ... "They showed that they're here to make a big impression. They're not just gonna be some small company. They're gonna be a powerhouse."

Dusty admits he was a little apprehensive when he was first approached by Roc Nation Sports -- but says he quickly learned the concerns expressed by guys like Adrien Broner are non-issues.

"Everyone they have working for the boxing division has been involved in boxing. They have a lot of experience in boxing. They know what they're doing. They have a plan."

Some other fun facts ...

Middleweight boxing champ Jermain Taylor saved Arkansas cops the trip -- turning himself in today for his SECOND gun-related arrest in just 3 days.

The 36-year-old Taylor was arrested Monday for felony assault after allegedly firing 2 shots during an altercation at an MLK Day parade. That bust violated the terms of his jail release for ANOTHER case ... where he is accused of shooting his cousin.

Cops say Taylor flagged down a Little Rock patrol car ... told cops his situation, and then he was hauled off to jail. Again.