Boxing

Boxing sensation Claressa Shields will have to find another male challenger to fight -- because Shawn Porter says he's NOT down to get in the ring with the female superstar.

Porter appeared on the "TMZ Sports" TV show after Shields told us this week she's 100% confident she could BEAT top male fighters like Porter, Keith Thurman and Gennady Golovkin.

So, we asked Porter for his reaction -- to which he smiled and replied, "It's cute!"

Make no mistake -- Porter says he has nothing but respect for Shields as a fighter, but claims boxing a top male fighter is simply "an animal that she's not really prepared for."

Porter says Shields would obviously be outmatched when it comes to strength and power -- but also explains that speed and movement in men's boxing is on a different level than what she's faced in the women's division.

When asked if he'd be down for a 3-round exhibition with Shields to let their fists do the talking -- Porter shot that down ... telling us he's just not interested.

In the full interview, Porter says if Shields is serious about fighting men she needs to start at the bottom and work her way up the rankings ladder like everyone else -- she just can't skip the line and fight a champ.

In the meantime, Shields is working on setting up a fight with the only other reigning undisputed female boxing champ, Cecilia Braekhus.

Boxing superstar Claressa Shields -- the undisputed middleweight champ -- says she's 100% confident she could beat male fighters ... and she's calling them out by name.

Shields was a BEAST in her title fight this weekend against then-undefeated Christina Hammer -- dominating every round en route to an obvious unanimous decision. It's clear Shields is on another level.

The 24-year-old sensation is now focused on a superfight with the other reigning undisputed female boxing champ, Cecilia Braekhus ... and hopes to set up a PPV fight in the near future.

The two fight at different weight classes but Shields says she's hoping they can meet at 154 pounds and battle it out to determine the greatest pound-for-pound fighter alive.

But, Sheilds doesn't just consider herself the best female fighter alive -- she thinks she's better than most MALE fighters too ... and she's willing to back it up.

"I spar with men. I drop men. I bust [men's noses]. I beat men up all the time," Shields says.

That's when Claressa began naming names ... from Keith Thurman to Gennady Golovkin.

"I think I can beat up Keith Thurman ... I really do."

FYI, Thurman is undefeated with a 29-0-1 record. He's held multiple titles.

"They may be stronger than me, but their boxing ability isn't like mine. GGG, he's older now, but I could give GGG a run for his money."

We asked if she could honestly hang with the brute strength and power of a male fighter -- and again, she wasn't worried.

"Power for power isn't a question because what is boxing? Boxing is the sweet science. It's not about strength ... because people were saying Christina Hammer was stronger than me. They were saying all these girls were stronger than me, but did you not see the head movement that I had during the fight? See the defense? The offense? The traps I set!?"

"If I were to get in there with a man, I would do a lot more of that. And, I do have some power. I'm not gonna say I'm stronger than them, but if I set up the right shots with the right timing?!?!"

58-year-old Iran Barkley -- Saquon Barkley's famous boxing uncle -- says he ain't done in the ring yet ... 'cause he's telling TMZ Sports he wants one last fight ... WITH DEONTAY WILDER!!

"I want to fight the heavyweight champ of the world," Iran says ... "I'm looking for that."

If you're unfamiliar ... Iran was actually a world champion boxer back in the day -- with 2 victories over Tommy Hearns and a near win over Roberto Duran on his 43-19-1 resume.

But, even though the guy hasn't fought since 1999 ... he says he ain't ready to hang up his gloves yet -- 'cause he wants one last fight with Wilder!!

Oh, and he says he'll win that, too, telling Wilder, "I bet I knock you out!!!"

By the way, Iran is Saquon's great-uncle, and Saquon's credited him in the past as a big reason why he's become one of the NFL's toughest running backs.

Which only means one thing ... better watch out for Saquon's high-school-aged little bro in a couple of years!!!

Another huge move for LeBron James ... not the basketball player, the Hollywood mogul.

James -- through his media brand, Uninterrupted -- is launching a new show for DAZN called "40 Days" ... a docuseries which will follow top boxers as they prepare for major prize fights.

In fact, the first episode will follow Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs as they gear up for their May 4 fight in Las Vegas. Part 1 of the series is scheduled to premiere on April 23.

Canelo's participation is really no surprise considering he recently signed a $365 MILLION contract with DAZN.

We're told LeBron and his business partner, Maverick Carter, are executive producing the Canelo episodes -- in association with DAZN and Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

"These documentaries will shine a light on the 3-dimensional aspect of who these athletes are outside of the ring and empower them to tell their own stories as they prepare for some of the biggest moments in their boxing careers," Maverick Carter said in a statement.

De La Hoya has also weighed in ... saying, "This is excellent for the sport as it will provide the kind of unique lens that only LeBron James and Maverick Carter can bring. At the same time, there’s no better way for them to start this partnership than by featuring the most important boxing event of the year, so Golden Boy is proud to be a part of it."

Well, this is adorable ... in a violent way.

When Dustin Poirier's daughter saw his face after the Max Holloway fight, she was genuinely worried for her daddy ... saying, "Oh no! You have a boo-boo dad!"

The footage is ridiculously cute -- and shows how sweet UFC fighters can be with their families when they're not destroying other people in the Octagon.

Of course, Dustin won a crazy bloody 5-round brawl with Holloway for the UFC interim lightweight title ... a fight where Dustin took some serious damage to the face.

One report says Poirier took 208 total strikes during the UFC 236 co-main event -- which is A LOT.

The good news, Dustin seems to be feeling pretty good, despite the bruising -- and told his daughter he was taking her to the zoo so they could "see the animals!"

After the fight, Dustin and Max couldn't have been more respectful toward each other -- each praising the other fighter for battling their hearts out.

#Respect.

Here's a video that could finally set up a boxing superfight EVERYONE wants -- with Vasyl Lomachenko calling out Gervonta "Tank" Davis right on camera.

"Let's do this! Let's do this," Loma said to TMZ Sports ... knowing full well there's a TON of interest in seeing Floyd Mayweather's prodigy step in the ring with "High Tech."

Lomachenko is 13-1 -- and has earned the nickname "No Mas Chenko" because he's made guys straight up quit in the ring.

Davis is 21-0 and he's the reigning WBA super featherweight champ.

There's one issue according to Loma -- boxing politics -- because Vasyl's promoter is Bob Arum and Tank is with Al Haymon ... two guys who don't exactly get along.

There is one thing both sides can agree on ... THEY ALL LIKE MONEY -- and if there's enough of it, we can finally get the fight we want.

Vasyl wants it -- and he's challenging Tank to talk to his people to get them on board.

In the meantime, Loma is fighting Anthony Crolla on Friday night -- but he's a MASSIVE favorite and should slice through Crolla with ease.

Davis just fought -- and destroyed Hugo Ruiz -- ending the fight in the 1st-round.

UFC superstar Jon Jones is firing back at Israel Adesanya -- saying he would DESTROY the 29-year-old so badly when they fight down the road ... "I’ll make you call me daddy by the third [round]."

Jon is responding to comments Israel made during an interview with TMZ Sports, when Adesanya told us a fight with Jones "tickles my loins" ... and added, "I already killed one G.O.A.T. and I'm hunting the next."

The "G.O.A.T." Adesanya says he killed is Anderson Silva -- who Israel defeated in a 3-round unanimous decision back in February.

Just a few weeks ago, Jones told us he thinks a fight with Israel is on the horizon -- and after seeing Adesanya's "G.O.A.T." comments, Jon is clearly fired up about the possible match up.

"If you think you killed 44 yr old Anderson, you didn’t," Jones tweeted out ... "I’m not really sure what fight you’ve been watching."

"You got past the legendary GOAT, now come f*ck with the King of the jungle. I’ll make you call me daddy by the third."

Before he can focus on Jones, Adesanya is fighting Kelvin Gastelum for the interim middleweight title at UFC 236 on Saturday ... a massive fight on ESPN+ PPV (click here to order).

Adesanya told us he's laser focused on Kelvin -- and will deal with Jones after he gets his "W."

Whoa!!!!!

UFC fighter Anthony Smith HATES Luke Rockhold's guts. Like REALLY hates him.

And, moments ago, Smith issued a threat to Rockhold, despite the fact they don't even have a fight on the books.

"That guy’s a f*cking piece of sh*t," Smith said at the UFC press conference in Atlanta moments ago.

"F*ck Luke Rockhold."

So, why the hostility?

It stems back to a radio interview Rockhold did earlier this year when he called Smith a "sloppy bum" who wasn't worthy of a fight with Jon Jones at UFC 235.

Smith was clearly offended -- and used his opportunity Friday to lash back at Rockhold.

"The first opportunity I get I’m gonna drill a hole through Luke Rockhold’s f*cking face. I promise you guys that.”

“The first opportunity I get after this fight, doesn’t matter what happens. I’ll fight Luke Rockhold on one f*cking leg. I’m gonna beat that dude's f*cking ass.”

Hey Beyonce, got any plans this weekend??? Here's the self-proclaimed greatest female fighter on the planet giving you a personal invite to her big boxing match on Saturday!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with undefeated boxing star Claressa Shields leading up to her IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO middleweight unification bout with 24-0 Christina Hammer ... and she says she's out to prove she's the G.O.A.T.

"I consider myself the greatest woman of all the time," Shields (8-0, 2 KO) says. "Any woman who has laced up a pair of gloves can't beat me. If they want me to prove it, I've proven it."

Now ... clearly, Shields doesn't need any more motivation ... but we had to ask who she'd want in her corner showin' support at the Boardwalk Hall in Jersey this weekend -- and she's aiming for Queen Bey.

"I'd be so stoked if Beyonce was in the crowd and just to have her come and talk to me ... I'd be freaking out."

If Conor McGregor wants another boxing superfight, Vasyl Lomachenko says he'll be his huckleberry ... telling TMZ Sports, "I can beat him easy."

Lomachenko is widely considered one of the best boxers on the planet -- he's the unified lightweight champion of the world ... and hasn't lost a fight since 2014.

Loma has a fight this Friday against Anthony Crolla on ESPN+ -- but he's an OVERWHELMING favorite and expected to beat the ever-loving dog snot out of the 32-year-old Englishman.

So, once he rolls through Crolla, ya gotta think Vasyl is looking for a payday fight -- and Conor McGregor would definitely get him the millions of dollars he wants.

And, the good news for Vasyl ... he thinks it'll be the easiest work of his career -- essentially saying Conor's boxing skills are "amateur" at best.

"I enjoy this fight," Loma said about possible McGregor matchup ... "I will go through this guy. No problem."

The big question ... what does Conor want? He "retired" from MMA but nobody believes he's done fighting for good. And, he seems to want another shot at a pro boxing match after losing to Floyd Mayweather.

10:22 AM PT -- Big Boy from 92.3 the REAL just came down hard on Kodak Black, saying he won't tolerate disrespect like this toward royalty in Nipsey Hussle and Lauren London. BB says hip-hop culture has a tendency to look the other way on moments like this, but he argues that has to change ... and that people from the community have to hold one another accountable, including Kodak. It doesn't sound like Big Boy is committing to not playing Kodak's music on the airwaves like Justin Credible did, but he does say he hopes this helps change minds going forward about ya say about who.

Check out his full statement above.

Kodak Black apologized for something he clearly should not have done in the first place ... disrespected Lauren London, the grieving girlfriend of Nipsey Hussle.

Kodak went on IG Live Saturday with his mea culpa, though somewhat half-hearted. He said he was sorry for disrespecting her, "even though I didn't."

As you know ... on Saturday a video circulated of Kodak calling Lauren "that baby" and "whole widow out here." He went on to say he was willing to give her a year of "crying and s***" before making a move on her.

Justin Credible from Power 106 in L.A. tweeted the station was "appalled by the disrespectful and poor comments" and they would no longer play his music.

Former welterweight championship boxer Andre Berto told us Saturday in Bev Hills, what Kodak did was super disrespectful, because Nipsey Hussle's murder was so fresh, and Kodak would serve himself well by staying out of L.A.

In Kodak's "apology," he did say Nipsey inspired him to do more in his community.

As we reported, there will be a huge memorial service for Nipsey -- who was murdered a week ago Sunday -- at L.A.'s Staples Center.

Charlotte Flair is WWE royalty and Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch ain't ... and by the end of their triple threat match at WrestleMania, both Ronda and The Man will "bow down."

That's according to Charlotte ... who told TMZ Sports the other 2 WWE Superstars are NOTHING compared to her.

"I think both of them are gonna bow down to the Queen, and I've done more in the last 7 years than they've done combined."

The crap talk leading up to the WM35 main event has been INTENSE ... and there's a lot on the line for all 3 women.

Earlier this week, Ronda told us the match was a "do-or-die moment" for her.

Lynch was a guest on "TMZ Live" the following day ... and responded to Rousey's comments -- saying she thinks Ronda will actually QUIT WWE if she loses Sunday night.

It wasn't all crap talk ... Flair also talked about her reaction when she learned she'd be headlining WM ... and the significance of the 1st all-female main event.

"Obviously wanting to let all the girls know this wouldn't happen without them. There's so much depth in our division. And, then obviously the women of the past," Flair says.

Conor McGregor appears unretired from fighting ... and Justin Gaethje tells TMZ Sports he BADLY wants to be locked in a steel cage with The Notorious.

But, does Conor want to fight him? Gaethje says nah, doubt it.

"[Conor's] a warrior. I know that it would intrigue him for sure. But, I also think his mind would be like, 'no, thank you.'"

"He can't take my leg kicks. If I wanted to wrestle him, I could wrestle him all day. And, I could knock him out. The last thing he needs to be is f**king on his back reaching for the sky and I will, I could do that to him."

Gaethje's coming off a crazy impressive performance ... he starched Edson Barboza -- one of the scariest dudes in the UFC -- with a vicious right hook in the 1st round last weekend.

Earlier in the week, JG -- the 5th ranked UFC lightweight -- told us he wanted the Holloway-Poirier winner and then Khabib ... but when he was in the TMZ offices on Thursday, clearly things done changed.

"I wanna fight [Conor]. I wanna fight him in Ireland. I know it's not gonna happen in Ireland, but that's my dream. To go over there and be in that sorta chaos. That's what f**king wakes me up every day."

"I'm going out there. I'm gonna stand. I'm gonna stand, I'm gonna knock him out. If he wants to retire, I can help him on his way out."

Conor-Gaethje would be a sick fight ... both guys have great power in their hands and ain't afraid to stand toe-to-toe and mix it up.

Will Smith's kicking ass in Miami ... 'cause he wouldn't be a true bad boy if he let a stunt double handle all the fight scenes!

Will did a little shadow boxing Wednesday to warm up for this "Bad Boys for Life" shoot. The scene goes down on the balcony of a hotel ... and from the look of things, nothing -- and we mean NOTHING -- was stopping Will.

Well, maybe a little lint that got in his eye.

But, seriously ... dude's winning at life and putting all dad bods to serious shame with his sharp fighting skills. Those 'Ali' moves still seem fresh in Will's mind -- as his foe in the motorcycle helmet will attest.

Big Willie was still his fun-loving self, though ... taking time to goof around with his stand-in and the crew.

Hell yes, Meek Mill needs to get his own statue in Philadelphia, a la "Rocky Balboa" ... so says Rep. Dwight Evans who's giving the rapper praise for all Meek's done to transform the criminal justice system.

We got Pennsylvania's Congressman on Capitol Hill hours after Meek's Tuesday news conference introducing new legislation aiming to reform the state's probation and parole system.

As we reported, Meek, 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin and CNN's Van Jones -- who is also CEO of REFORM Alliance -- joined politicians to propose House Bill 1925.

Rep. Evans -- who's district includes Meek's southwest Philly neighborhood -- says the bill is commendable for several reasons. For starters, it provides hope for people who've given up on the system. He also admires Meek's determination to continue putting the spotlight on the problem ... even though he's long since put his case behind him.

As for Meek getting immortalized in bronze -- Evans says it's a move his constituents can get behind.

Fact is, the city already embraced his track, "Dreams and Nightmares" as an unofficial anthem during the Eagles' Super Bowl run ... while Meek was still locked up.

Conor McGregor vs. Anthony Pettis -- a match made in fight Heaven -- according to Pettis, who says fighting The Notorious would be a "dream fight" for UFC fans.

We talked to Pettis -- days after moving up to the welterweight division and starching Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson -- about his next move ... and he says Conor makes a whole lotta sense.

There's just 1 problem ... Pettis says if Conor's actually mulling quitting, fighting him is a very bad idea.

"Man, I wouldn't talk him outta retirement. If someone wants to retire, don't get in the Octagon with me," Pettis tells TMZ Sports ...

"It's gonna be a bad one. I'm too hungry right now. I'm too motivated. I just knocked out the #3 in the world at 170 pounds. If you're trying to retire, don't entertain a fight with me."

But, if Conor's just using the threat of retirement as a negotiating ploy, Pettis is all the way down to fight ... and he thinks it'd be a helluva entertaining match up.

"I go for the kill. He goes for the kill. We both have a flashy striking style with a great ground game.".

Ya hear this, Dana?