Boxing

Adrien Broner is FINALLY paying off his $1 MILLION jewelry debt ... agreeing to give it all back in 3 installments -- TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... the boxing star was hit with a lawsuit last year after he allegedly stiffed a jeweler out of more than $1 MILLION in fine jewels.

Pristine Jewelers NY said Broner promised to pay for multiple items which totaled $1.252 Mil ... but his checks never cleared -- and then he refused to follow through on a payment plan.

But, according to legal docs filed this week ... Broner has finally reached a settlement with the company -- and has agreed to pay off his debt.

Per the details of the agreement ... Broner made his first payment on March 4 and will pay $500,000 by Dec. 31, 2019, and then the final $500,000 no later than 6 months after that.

It's interesting ... according to docs -- Broner struck the agreement with the jeweler on Feb. 15 -- just a couple weeks after he reportedly earned a $2.5 MILLION check from scrapping with Manny Pacquiao.

Unclear who Adrien will fight next ... but if he's looking to cash in on an exhibition match -- we know there's a boxing analyst out there that'd be a PERFECT fit.

George Foreman's daughter, Freeda -- who followed in her dad's footsteps and became a professional boxer -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... Freeda's body was found in her home near Houston, Texas by a family member. Cops are awaiting a report from the coroner's office on the cause of death, but we're told no foul play is suspected.

Freeda began boxing professionally as a middleweight in 2000 and won her first 5 fights before losing her sixth bout in 2001. She retired after the loss with a pro record of 5-1 with 3 KOs to focus on being a mother and other projects, including boxing promotion.

Her parents also didn't enjoy her being in the ring ... so George reportedly paid her to quit.

Freeda was born in Texas and is one of George's 5 daughters. He also has 5 sons, all named George, and Freeda's middle name is George as well.

She appeared in a couple documentaries about her dad, and had a guest role on a 2003 episode of "King of the Hill."

Freeda wrote on her Twitter bio ... "Aside from my love of family, being a good mother, wife, and friend, I aspire to make a positive difference in our American Criminal Justice System."

She's survived by her husband, 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren, her parents and 11 siblings.

Freeda was 42.

Conor McGregor has a pretty powerful supporter -- with Chuck Liddell telling TMZ Sports the Irishman is right ... his fight with Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone should be promoted as the MAIN event.

Remember, Cowboy told ESPN this week ... fight negotiations broke down because Conor refuses to be billed as a co-main event.

The issue is that neither Conor nor Cowboy currently hold a title -- so they would share the main event billing with whatever title fight would take place on the same card.

Cowboy claims Conor ain't down with that -- and won't share top billing with anyone else. So, for now, the fight doesn't seem to be happening.

Enter, UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell ... who tells us he REALLY wants to see that fight because Conor and Cowboy are two of his all-time favorites and the bout would be awesome!!!

"I'm excited for that fight," Chuck told us on the way out of 1OAK in L.A. ... "I hope it happens."

As for the main event issue, Chuck says ... "It's a main event fight for sure. No matter what."

"Come on, Conor McGregor and Cowboy?! Two of my favorite fighters! I love watching those guys fight."

Chuck thinks Conor is ultimately using the main event issue as a way to negotiate more money because he's a smart businessman ... and believes the two sides WILL come to an agreement.

Floyd Mayweather has 8 more years to beat the hell out of Conor McGregor, that's according to boxing champ Shawn Porter who says Floyd is so much better than Conor, he could beat him at 50!!!

McGregor let it slip on Twitter that he might be interested in running it back with Floyd and making another $100 mil.

Thing is, that fight was 2 years ago ... and Floyd is now 42 ... so if they were to do it again, is Money too old? When we saw Shawn Porter out in L.A., we had to ask him.

"Mayweather will own the sport of boxing against Conor McGregor any day of the week for the next 5-10 years at least. When he's 50 he could still do it."

Porter was full of shade for Conor, saying that he needs to keep his mind off the ring and on the Octagon because he's not exactly setting the world on fire in there these days.

"McGregor should stay the course he's on in the Octagon and try to make that happen. I don't even pay attention to that too much, but I know he's been struggling there as well."

The guy who hit boxing legend Bernard Hopkins so hard he literally knocked him out of the ring says he rewatches the highlight KO to get him fired up to fight!!!

TMZ Sports talked to Joe Smith Jr. -- a 29-year-old fighter with 24 wins and only 2 losses -- about his iconic, devastating knockout of Hopkins back in December 2016.

In the 8th round, Smith Jr. hit B-Hop with a flurry of punches that lifted B-Hop off the ring canvas and sent him flying through the ropes and onto The Forum floor ... never to fight again.

Smith Jr. -- who's fighting undefeated boxer Dmitry Bivol this Saturday on DAZN -- says he ALWAYS watches highlights of the knockout to get PUMPED before fighting.

"I like watching it before my fights," JS tell us, "It gets me pumped up. it gets me motivated. I tell myself, I need another one of these every time I step in the ring."

We also talked to Bivol -- considered one of boxing's biggest rising stars -- about who he wants after Smith Jr.

Hint, he's Mexican and has red hair.

Floyd Mayweather says his fans "shouldn't worry" about guys like Conor McGregor and Canelo Alvarez angling for a rematch ... telling TMZ Sports he's already proved he can beat ANYONE.

"Nobody can beat me! Y'all already know that," the boxing legend told us Wednesday night on his way out of TAO in Los Angeles.

"Everybody wants a rematch with me."

He's right ... earlier this week, Conor was breaking down his 2017 fight with Floyd and suggested the two will run it back in the near future saying, "A rematch will be interesting no doubt."

So, we asked Floyd how he felt about Conor's prediction -- and it wasn't exactly met with the same enthusiasm.

"Don't worry about that," Floyd told us ... while directing us to point the camera on his $18 MILLION diamond watch.

So, we switched the topic to Oscar De La Hoya -- who says a rematch with Canelo would be a $1.5 BILLION fight ... and again, Floyd didn't really seem to be interested.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah ... everybody's saying something. I don't worry about that. I already made over a billion! You already know that!"

He added, "I'm not worried about all that my man. Floyd is undefeated. Nobody can beat me. You already know that, man!"

Of course, Canelo and Floyd initially fought in 2013 -- with Floyd dominating the then-23-year-old rising star. Floyd got a $41 million guarantee for that fight, which was a record payday at the time.

Both Oscar and Canelo are now making a renewed push for a rematch ... for obvious reasons.

As for Floyd's $18 MILLION timepiece, he calls it "the one and only" ... and he bought it in 2018.

Want details? It was made by Jacob & Co. back in 2015, it features 239 emerald-cut baguette diamond stones, each weighing up to 3 carats.

Good times!

Conor McGregor wants another crack at Floyd Mayweather -- saying bluntly, "A rematch will be interesting no doubt."

The Irish superstar spent his Tuesday night breaking down some of his greatest fights -- and when the topic turned to his 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, Conor believes he has what it takes to win if they run it back.

Check out Conor's comments while criticizing specific punch exchange from the fight:

"I spoiled it with the rush right hook here. The angle was made. He was in the dirt. I just had to set correctly into my feet and fire. Rushing the right hook I lost balance on my back hand. Great boxing fight! A rematch will be interesting no doubt."

Conor reportedly made around $100 MILLION for the fight -- which he lost via TKO in the 10th round. Floyd Mayweather claims he made north of $300 MILLION.

McGregor is obviously down to do it again -- but are the viewers?

Conor seems to have a ton of options -- including a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov or a 3rd fight with Nate Diaz.

The interesting thing ... Conor says fighting is now his 3RD highest source of income -- suggesting he's making more money through his Proper 12 whiskey line and another business venture.

Sorry to be the spoiler, but that awesome video of Mike Tyson teaching some guys how to throw a ferocious punch combination at a bar ain't new.

In fact, it was shot YEARS ago -- and it was all for a movie that's already been released.

Several major media outlets ran with the video as brand new footage of a 52-year-old Tyson looking like a beast. He does look great, but he sure as hell wasn't 52 when this was shot.

Look, it's still amazing footage -- but a rep for Tyson tells us Mike was only throwing those combos as part of his role in the 2017 action flick "China Salesman" ... which also stars Steven Seagal.

Mike's rep doesn't recall the exact date the footage was shot but production wrapped up in August 2016 -- so, it was obviously before that date.

The big clue ... in the clip, Mike is wearing his costume from the movie.

Plus, 52-year-old Tyson recently appeared on the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast and said that he's stopped weightlifting and fight training altogether -- and hasn't in years -- because it "reactivates my ego" and makes him feel violent.

Instead, we're told Tyson ONLY focuses on cardio training -- with the goal to stay healthy (not dangerous) for his new podcast, "Hotboxin' with Mike Tyson" ... a weed-inspired show.

3/8 7:00 PM -- Gervonta released a statement saying, "The accuser contacted the police at the time of the alleged incident on February 17 while I was still in the mall. I waited for the police to arrive and I fully cooperated with their investigation. After the investigation, the police decided not to charge me with any crimes. The arrest warrant was based on the word of the accuser."

He adds, "I was not attempting to avoid being served with the warrant. In fact as soon as I was made aware of the warrant I told my attorney to contact the Fairfax Virginia Police Department to address this matter. I immediately went to the police department and fully cooperated with the police. I was never processed by the police or placed into custody. I just signed the warrant and agreed to appear in court at a future time. I’m eager to put this matter behind me and continue my career.

3/6 2:22 PM PT -- Cops tell us Davis has been served with the warrant and his court date will be set in the next few days.

Boxing star Gervonta Davis is a wanted man in Virginia ... law enforcement tells TMZ Sports a warrant has been issued for his arrest over allegations he assaulted a man at a high-end mall.

We broke the story ... Davis -- Floyd Mayweather's top protege -- was at a fancy shopping mall in Virginia on February 17 when he got into it with another man at an ATM machine.

Cops say Davis assaulted the guy ... and when officers arrived at the scene to investigate -- Davis "directed derogatory and offensive language at the officers in a public setting."

In fact, one witness tells us he watched Gervonta shove one of the officers while screaming obscenities ... while his friends were desperately trying to restrain him.

After an investigation, cops tell us a warrant for Davis' arrest on one misdemeanor count of assault has been issued.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Per a Fairfax County Police Department spokesperson ... multiple attempts to reach Gervonta to inform him of his warrant have been unsuccessful.

In other words, if you're reading this, Gervonta -- CALL THE POLICE!!

Davis is 21-0 as a pro fighter -- and is already a 2-time super featherweight world champ. Mayweather recently told TMZ Sports he's got big plans for Davis as a fighter ... with a potential superfight on the horizon with rising star Ryan Garcia.

Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. says he'll GLADLY accept Vitor Belfort's challenge -- telling TMZ Sports he's down to brawl with the ex-UFC champ ... but needs 6 weeks to prepare.

Just last week, 41-year-old Belfort -- the former UFC lightweight champ -- called out Roy during a media event for the ONE Championship MMA promotion.

"One fight I'd really love is me against Roy Jones Jr. Roy, wherever you are, I wanna come challenge you for a boxing match, but with this condition: I'm gonna be able to dirty box with you."

So, we hit up Roy to see if he was game -- and good news, the 50-year-old is ALL ABOUT THAT SMOKE!!!

"This is what I do for a living. Y'all must've forgot. That's who I am. I love a battle. I love a challenge. So, if that's what you want, that's what you get. Ain't like you gotta ask me twice."

RJJ hasn't fought in over a year (he picked up his 66th pro win in February '18) ... but says he doesn't need long to get into fighting shape.

"Well, I would like 8 weeks, cause I like to get right. I need 2 extra weeks just to make sure I can showboat. But, 6 weeks, I can whip you."

We asked Roy if he had a message for Vitor ... and did he ever.

"I got nothing but the utmost respect for you. You were a helluva MMA fighter. You one of the best of all time. But, when it comes to boxing, this is what I do. I'm the ruler. I'm the king of this thing. Ya understand me?"

"Since Muhammad Ali is not on Earth anymore, I don't think there's nothing ever on this Earth as bad as I am with these hands."

Be careful what you wish for ... you just might get it.

Canelo Alvarez says he's dead serious about setting up a rematch with Floyd Mayweather -- and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, says Floyd has more than a BILLION reasons to make it happen.

"If Floyd Mayweather decides to come back, a fight with him and Canelo could be a $1.5 billion fight," Oscar tells TMZ Sports.

Of course, Canelo and Floyd initially fought in 2013 -- with Floyd dominating the then-23-year-old rising star. Floyd got a $41 million guarantee for that fight, which was a record payday at the time.

But, things have changed in a BIG way since then. Mayweather claims he made more than $300 MILLION per fight for his bouts with Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor.

Canelo's value has also gone way up -- he recently signed a $365 MILLION fight contract with DAZN after notching impressive wins over huge stars like Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Gennady Golovkin.

Oscar says he's realistic about the chances of making the rematch happen -- and even clowns Floyd taking easy fights against tomato can opponents like Tenshin Nasukawa.

But, Canelo says he's out for revenge -- and hopes he can convince Floyd to strap on the gloves for one final war.

"I would love to have the opportunity to avenge that defeat," Canelo told us through a translator.

In the meantime, Canelo is gearing up for his May 4 fight against Daniel Jacobs to unify the middleweight belts.

If there's one thing Jon Jones knows, it's that Las Vegas LOVES a winner, and he got mad amounts of love inside one nightclub ... hours after he defended his title in UFC 235.

The light heavyweight champ celebrated his victory over Anthony Smith at On The Record -- the speakeasy inside Park MGM -- and was swarmed by fans and friends, raising glass after glass of champagne to him.

Jones was looking pretty pristine after going 5 rounds in the Octagon ... and he probably took more selfies inside the club than he did shots to the face during the bout.

Jon told TMZ Sports he wants to rattle off 50 straight wins -- a la Floyd Mayweather -- and Saturday night was a great launching point ... he won by unanimous decision.

G.O.A.T. vs. G.O.A.T?!?!?

It's possible ... with MMA legend Demetrious Johnson telling TMZ Sports he's down for a 3-round boxing match with Floyd Mayweather.

First off, DJ says Floyd is the one guy he would NEVER bet against in a fight -- "because he's just that good."

So, the respect is there.

But, now that Floyd's in the exhibition business -- where he's taking 3-round fights in Japan for roughly $10 mil-a-pop -- would Johnson be interested in testing his boxing skills against the best ever?

"Absolutely, I'll step in there and fight Floyd," 32-year-old Johnson said ... "3 rounds? Just boxing? I'll do that. It'll be fun! I feel like I'll do fine."

And, this isn't one of those hypothetical matchups either -- because as Johnson put it, "I think for Floyd Mayweather if it makes money sense, I think he would do anything."

Mayweather has already proven to be a big draw in Asia -- and with Johnson now fighting in Japan, his popularity is expected to skyrocket there too.

And, if DJ wins his March 31 fight against Yuya Wakamatsu at "ONE Championship: A New Era" -- it'll only help to create interest.

Jon Jones tells TMZ Sports he wants to be the first MMA fighter to finish his career with a 50-0 record -- becoming the Floyd Mayweather of the sport -- and he's 100% confident he can do it.

First things first ... we know Jones already has 1 loss on his record, but it's because Jon was disqualified for throwing illegal elbows in a fight he was otherwise dominating. Clearly, Jones doesn't consider that an official loss.

Instead, Jon views himself as unbeaten in the Octagon with a 24-0 record (instead of 23-1) -- and says he plans to chalk up another 26 victories ... starting with Anthony Smith on Saturday at UFC 235.

After that, Jones says he realizes he's on a collision course with Daniel Cormier ... but says it's unlikely they will fight at heavyweight unless the bag is gigantic.

"[The UFC] can convince me to fight Daniel Cormier," Jones says ... "We give the fans what they want to see."

As far as that 50 win mark, Jon explained it this way -- "I think 50-0 would be a really great number ... no one's ever done it. That puts you up there with Mayweather and some of the all-time greats in boxing."

"I'm 31 years old and I believe the best is yet to come."

Jones says he's got the best team around him that he's ever had and says he feels great.

While Jones is considered by many to be the greatest UFC fighter of all time, it ain't gonna be easy to get to 50-0.

Oscar De La Hoya says "REAL" boxing promoters don't tamper with other fighters -- and says, if Floyd Mayweather wants to set up a fight with Ryan Garcia, he's gotta do it the PROPER way.

Oscar -- who runs Golden Boy Promotions -- sent a cease and desist letter to Floyd after Mayweather made a fight offer to Garcia during an interview with TMZ Sports earlier this month.

In the TMZ Sports video, Mayweather looked in the camera and told Garcia -- a Golden Boy fighter -- that he'd offer $200k for Ryan to fight Mayweather Promotions fighter Rolando Romero.

If Garcia beat Romero, Floyd said he'd grant Garcia's wish to fight Mayweather's top boxer, Gervonta "Tank" Davis.

Both Garcia and Davis are rising stars in boxing's super featherweight division -- and seem to be on a collision course to battle in the near future.

After making the offer, Floyd invited Garcia to his 42nd birthday party -- and the two seemed to be chatting it up ... with Oscar nowhere to be seen.

Now, Oscar is pissed -- telling TMZ Sports, "There are proper ways of making fights happen. Look, you don't go out there publicly."

Oscar added, "The proper way is you send in a contract, you take a look at it and then we talk about it ... that's what real promoters do."

Oscar says he has not heard "one word" from Floyd's camp before or after sending the letter.

It sounds like Oscar is still interested in making a Davis vs. Garcia fight -- but he refuses to hash it out in the media and wants Floyd to deal with him behind the scenes ... or else.

Meanwhile, Oscar has a lot on his plate -- he's currently promoting the massive Canelo Alvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs fight scheduled to go down May 4 on DAZN.

Boxing champ Claressa Shields -- a 2-time Olympic gold medalist -- says UFC star Amanda Nunes would get a RUDE AWAKENING if they ever fought ... explaining, "I T-Rex bitches!"

23-year-old Shields is the biggest star in women's boxing right now -- she's the undisputed, unified champ in TWO weight classes with an 8-0 pro record. She's a BEAST!!!

She's also very close with Cris Cyborg -- and was at UFC 232 back in December when Cyborg got knocked out by Nunes.

So, we asked if she's down to avenge her friend ... and she told us she's 100% confident she would destroy the Brazilian superstar.

First off, Shields says she'd need a year of hardcore MMA training to become the baddest woman in the Octagon -- but if Nunes wanted to step in the boxing ring, she'd beat that ass right now.

"Amanda Nunes caught Cris Cyborg because Cris Cyborg went in there wild and crazy," Shields says.

"We got 10 rounds. Amanda Nunes can't beat me in a boxing match."

"Myself, I'm the G.O.A.T. I'm the greatest woman of all time!"

Shields says she's not interested in an MMA fight right now -- but she's not ruling it out down the line.

Right now, she's focused on her April 13 fight against undefeated German superstar Christina Hammer.