Boxing

UFC fighter Michelle Waterson had to choke back tears talking about Nick Santonastasso ... an amazing disabled athlete who's helping Michelle get ready for the biggest fight of her life.

Michelle is gearing up to fight Joanna Jedrzejczyk in October ... and says a recent encounter with Nick is giving her that motivational boost she needs to prepare.

FYI, Nick was born with Hanhart syndrome, an extremely rare condition that left him without legs and only one arm. Despite the circumstances, Nick has become an international bodybuilding sensation ... the dude is an absolute BEAST in the gym!

So, when Michelle saw Nick at a recent Tony Robbins seminar, she says his story left her with a new perspective on life.

Ya gotta hear Michelle tell the story ... she gets emotional. It's moving stuff.

Plus, we also spoke with Michelle's adorable daughter about the upcoming Joanna fight ... and why she thinks Waterson will be the UFC's first-ever Mom Champ!!

The Angry Bagel Boss Guy is prepping to fight other viral stars ... by enlisting freakin' UFC SUPERSTARS for his training!!

Chris Morgan -- the dude who infamously lost his mind in a Bagel Boss shop in NY a few weeks ago -- teamed up with big-time fighters Chris Weidman and Al Iaquinta on Tuesday ... learning the ropes from some of the best in the business.

The video is really unbelievable -- Al tapes up Morgan's hands, gets in the Octagon and starts sparring with the guy!!

To no one's surprise, Morgan runs his mouth after the training sesh ... and even calls out Logan Paul, who told us earlier this week he was down to whoop Bagel Guy's ass in the ring.

As we previously reported ... Morgan inked a deal with promoter Damon Feldman to get in the ring on September 7 in Atlantic City ... and one of his opponents could be Antoine Dodson.

Yeah ... so hide yo kids, hide yo wife ... 'cause the Bagel Guy means business.

Boxing superstar Gennady Golovkin is speaking out about the death of fellow boxer Maxim Dadashev ... telling TMZ Sports the tragedy isn't just sad on a personal level, but it's also terrible for the sport.

"It's very bad for the sport of boxing," Triple G told us outside of Spago in Beverly Hills.

You can see in the video, GGG is clearly emotional about the situation ... and said the entire community "feels crazy" right now.

We asked Gennady if there's anything the boxing community can do to help prevent deaths like this in the future ... but he simply told us there's nothing anyone can do can bring Maxim back.

As we previously reported, 28-year-old Dadashev suffered a brain bleed and went into a coma from the damage he took during his fight on Friday night. He later died from his injuries.

Manny Pacquiao's team is ALL IN for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather -- so says his trainer, Freddie Roach who tells TMZ Sports, "I really think Manny can knock him out."

After 40-year-old Manny put a hurtin' on Keith Thurman this weekend, there's a huge buzz about a MayPac II rematch ... following the first superfight back in 2015.

Roach, who's been training Pacquiao for years, says Manny and the entire team is down ... if Floyd is man enough to get back in the ring.

"[Floyd] would be a fight we'd want. I'd like to get that one back one more time. I know we can do much better. We had an injury in that fight, but regardless, we lost a close decision. I know Manny can do much better than that."

Remember, after their May 2015 fight, Manny revealed he suffered a shoulder injury in training camp which he says held him back in the main event.

But now, Manny's healthy -- and looked awesome in the Thurman fight -- and Roach ain't all that impressed with the work Mayweather's done inside the ring over the past few years.

"Floyd's last couple of fights against a kickboxer and whatever the other guy was [Conor McGregor] he wasn't too impressive," Roach tells us ... "I think it's a good time to catch him right now."

Freddie says Manny was planning to call out Floyd in the ring after he defeated Keith Thurman ... but Floyd bolted out of the arena.

Of course, 42-year-old Floyd keeps insisting he's retired ... but c'mon, you really think he'll turn down another $300 million payday?!?

"I do think it could happen, yes. Probably not 'til next year. But, the thing is, it is a big fight out there. And, again a fresh Manny with no injuries, I love that fight."

Boxing star Zab Judah has launched his own investigation into his June 7 fight with Cletus Seldin which left Zab hospitalized with a brain bleed ... with Zab calling for drug test results.

Zab -- a 6-time world champion -- suffered numerous injuries including an intercranial hemorrhage in a TKO loss to Seldin which required emergency surgery after the fight.

Judah is doing much better now ... but he's also really pissed off and looking for answers.

In fact, the 41-year-old has hired the Elefterakis, Elefterakis and Panek law firm to investigate "all circumstances involving the fight."

As part of his investigation, Judah is requesting Seldin's pre-fight urine drug screening sample results so he can see for himself if Seldin was truly clean during the fight.

For the record, Seldin has NOT been flagged for a violation as far as we know.

Judah's attorney wants to be clear that he is making "no formal accusations of misconduct" ... but rather doing their due diligence in the "investigatory stage."

In a statement Judah's attorney says, "To date, our firm contacted the Oneida Gaming Commission as well as the promoter of the fight to obtain the results of the pre-fight urine drug screening. No results have been provided to the Judah camp as of yet."

Maxim Dadashev -- the boxer who went into a coma after suffering injuries during a fight Friday night -- has died, both his trainer and coach announced Tuesday.

He was 28 years old.

Dadashev, a Russian junior welterweight contender, was fighting Puerto Rico’s Subriel Matias in the co-main event of Top Rank's boxing card on ESPN last week, when things took a horrible turn in the later rounds.

Dadashev was taking a lot of punches to the face and head ... and it got so ugly, his trainer, Buddy McGirt, had to beg the boxer to throw in the towel.

Ultimately, McGirt was able to get the fight stopped -- but the damage had been done ... Dadashev collapsed after the bout and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Maryland after taking more than 300 punches in the bout.

Dadashev was diagnosed with a brain bleed and underwent a 2 hour procedure Friday evening in the hopes of saving his life. He was later placed in a medically induced coma.

But, McGirt announced Tuesday Dadashev had passed away from his injuries.

Dadashev was 13-1 in his boxing career and was considered one of the sport's bright young stars before Friday's fight.

Floyd Mayweather autograph seekers need to pay VERY close attention ... 'cause the boxing superstar has one specific demand when signing his signature.

Money was at the Manny Pacquiao vs. Keith Thurman fight in Vegas over the weekend ... when a female fan asked him to sign a boxing glove for her.

Floyd grabbed for the glove -- fully prepared to scribble his John Hancock -- but after a quick inspection, he pulled back and told her he wouldn't sign.

And, why not?? He's got a reason ...

"You already got some names on it, baby. You gotta have gloves with just me on it!!"

Yep, Floyd Mayweather won't share autograph space with other boxers -- and the proof is in the video.

The champ is here ... and Andy Ruiz is picking Manny Pacquiao to BEAT Floyd Mayweather if they can work out a deal for a rematch.

After 40-year-old Manny's impressive victory over Keith Thurman this weekend, there's more talk than ever about a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather II.

And, since Andy was AT the Pacquiao vs. Thurman fight, we asked the heavyweight champ for his professional opinion ... who wins?!

"I think Manny because hes been more active," Ruiz told us on his way out of Trejo's Tacos in Los Angeles.

Andy cautions people not to count out Floyd because "Mayweather is Mayweather. He's always good. He stays in shape, takes care of himself ... but it would be an awesome fight."

But, when push comes to shove, Andy says he'd put his money on Manny.

Of course, the first time Floyd fought Manny back in 2015, Floyd won by unanimous decision ... though it was later revealed Pacquiao had a shoulder injury going into the fight.

Even though Floyd hasn't taken a real pro fight in years, it's obvious why he would be open to a rematch -- Floyd reportedly made around $300 mil for the first fight, Manny is said to have raked in around $100 mil.

As for Andy, he's working on a rematch with Anthony Joshua ... the undefeated fighter he BEAT earlier this year to win the title.

Logan Paul is channeling his inner Deontay Wilder in his impending rematch with KSI ... telling TMZ Sports he ain't lookin' for a KO anymore -- he's out for MURDER!!!

Of course ... the Bronze Bomber famously said he wanted to "put a body on my record" before his fight against Bermane Stiverne in 2017 and caught hell over the comment.

Nobody died in that fight ... but the YouTube superstar tells us he's looking to do what Wilder couldn't ... telling us "I'ma f**king murder that dude, bro. Actual murder, bro."

As we previously reported ... Paul wants the rematch with KSI to go down at either Staples Center or the Forum in L.A. ... and told us he's hoping it happens before 2020.

The 24-year-old also trashed KSI last week ... saying "he looks like a f**king meatball right now."

The first fight ended in a draw ... and Logan says that's NOT gonna happen again.

Fighter on Saturday. Politician on Sunday.

Less than 24 hours after beating Keith Thurman in a welterweight championship fight, Manny Pacquiao boarded a private jet bound for the Philippines to try and attend the State of the Union.

Pacquiao is a senator back home in the Philippines -- and has previously floated the idea of running for President one day.

And, with this being a crucial week in terms of Filipino politics, Manny knew he couldn't waste time celebrating his victory in Las Vegas.

A rep for Pacquiao tells TMZ Sports ... "He left at 6 p.m. PT [Sunday] via private jet. One stop in Anchorage than straight to Manila."

Unfortunately, Pacquiao didn't make it back home in time for the SOTU -- but he's hoping to participate in other important Senate functions this week.

FYI, Manny reportedly made at least $10 million for the Keith Thurman fight ... with the potential to make a lot more based on pay-per-view buys and other factors.

After the fight, multiple senators in the Philippines issued official statements congratulating their colleague ... including Senator Sonny Angara who said:

"One solid win by Pacman, one giant celebration for his countrymen. This vintage Pacquiao win shows why his people love him to the moon and back."

"By Monday, my friend and colleague will step again into the Senate ring to join the fight against our ancient enemies - hunger, joblessness, poverty. Expect him to the bring the same spunk he had shown in boxing to this unfinished fight of his life."

Sen. Cynthia Villar said ... "I join the Filipino community around the world in celebrating the victory of our Pambansang Kamao, Manny Pacquiao."

The two baddest women in combat sports could be on a collision course -- because Dana White says he's open to let Amanda Nunes take on undefeated boxing superstar Claressa Shields!!!

First off, Amanda Nunes is the greatest female UFC fighter of all time -- with devastating victories over everyone from Ronda Rousey to Cris Cyborg and Holly Holm.

Claressa is the top dog in boxing -- she's 9-0 as a pro and a 2-time Olympic gold medalist.

Shields has made it abundantly clear she wants Nunes in a boxing match -- and told TMZ Sports bluntly, "I'd put [her] to sleep."

So, we asked Dana if he'd ever let Amanda follow in Conor McGregor's footsteps and take a super fight in the boxing ring ... and his answer was VERY interesting.

"Amanda Nunes has things that she needs to do here [in the UFC] first, but I'm not opposed to it," White said.

"Maybe Claressa comes over here and fight in MMA."

So, what does Amanda need to do in the Octagon before a possible Shields matchup?

Dana says he's trying to sign Cris Cyborg to take a rematch with Amanda -- but White claims Cyborg won't put pen to paper ... insinuating she's scared of getting beaten up again.

"I think it's pretty obvious why she wouldn't want that fight. It's a bad fight for her."

"I think that [Cyborg] is at the point where she's afraid to lose again. Losing again isn't something she's interested in."

White says Amanda Nunes REALLY wants the fight -- and since she's basically cleared out the women's division, White wants to give her whoever she wants.

Manny Pacquiao says he wants to fight until he's 45 years old ... and when he retires, the boxing star tells TMZ Sports he will seriously consider buying an NBA franchise.

The 40-year-old superstar has made a FORTUNE during his boxing career -- and says he feels he's got AT LEAST another 5 years of fighting before hangin' 'em up for good.

"I feel like young, like late 20s," PacMan says ... explaining that he still loves the sport and all of the training that comes with it.

Pacquiao -- who's fighting undefeated star Keith Thurman on Saturday -- tells us he feels blessed by God ... and plans to use his gifts as long as his mind and body hold up.

Part of Manny's training regimen is playing basketball for 4 to 5 hours a day ... seriously.

In fact, Manny's so obsessed with the sport, he bought his own semi-pro basketball league back home in the Philippines called the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

FYI, Forbes says Manny has made more than $500 MILLION during his boxing career -- including a $26 million haul over the past year.

So, we had to ask if he had NBA ambitions and the boxer gave us an emphatic "Yes!"

Keith Thurman says Floyd Mayweather is straight CHICKEN -- accusing the boxing legend of running scared before he retired and now he's calling Floyd out.

"If he wanted a real fight, he would have saw me years ago," Thurman tells TMZ Sports.

"You never wanted to fight me. I was right there right underneath you for years. I was the #1 contender of the WBA and then they made you super champion so that our names didn't have to be in the same sentence together."

FYI, a WBA Super Champ is a fighter who holds multiple titles in the same division -- and is exempt from mandatory title defenses. Essentially, Super Champs can pick their own opponents.

Thurman says during Floyd's active fighting days, there were plenty of opportunities to make a fight between the two ... but Mayweather wussed out and didn't want the smoke.

Now, Thurman -- who's 29-0 -- is gearing up for the biggest fight of his career against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday ... and he knows a victory could open some huge doors.

In fact, Keith says he sees big fights with stars like Terence "Bud" Crawford and Errol Spence in 2020 ... and says, "I'm very open to those contracts."

But, for now, Thurman says the plan is to beat Manny and then take the rest of 2019 off to gear up for a massive 2020.

Logan Paul says he and KSI are thiiiis close to finalizing the details on a rematch ... and it's gonna BIG!!!

Remember, the two YouTube superstars clashed at Manchester Arena in England for a 6-round Pay-Per-View boxing match back in August 2018 ... a match that ended in a majority draw.

The fight did impressively well -- even drawing compliments from UFC honcho Dana White -- and leaving many wondering when they would run it back.

But, when we spoke with Logan at Quavo's celebrity charity basketball game on Tuesday in Los Angeles ... he told us some of the big details are being ironed out as we speak.

Paul says the fight will DEFINITELY take place in L.A. and the venue is down to either the Staples Center or The Forum ... two iconic arenas.

As for KSI, Logan says he's confident he'll beat the brakes off his YouTube rival ... telling us, "KSI's a bitch, bro! I mean it!"

Paul also says KSI hasn't been taking his boxing training seriously -- and "he looks like a f*cking meatball right now."

Conversely, Logan says he's in the best shape of his life ... and as you already know, he's fighting all comers in the boxing ring he set up in the backyard of his L.A. home -- including fake Ivan Drago.

Floyd Mayweather's reps have been "begging" Khabib Nurmagomedov to sign a contract for a Conor McGregor-style boxing match ... this according to Khabib's manager. 

"Floyd Mayweather to this day keeps begging to fight Khabib, BEGGING!" Ali Abdelaziz tells TMZ Sports.

"I'm telling you, people reaching out to me every week about Floyd to fight Khabib but at the end of the day, we're not interested ... for now."

Ali says Khabib is laser-focused on his Sept. 7 fight against Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi for the UFC lightweight title ... and after that he's eyeing either Tony Ferguson or Georges St-Pierre. 

Ali also represents Henry Cejudo -- so we asked how he felt about recently-unretired UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber calling for a crack at the Triple C. 

Long story short, Ali says Henry would be down ... but he wants 40-year-old Urijah to fight #1 bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes first ... and if Faber can get through Marlon, he would prove he's worthy of a title shot. 

Stay tuned on this one ... 

The autopsy on Pernell Whitaker has been completed -- with officials saying the boxer died from "multiple blunt force injuries" in a car accident that has been labelled an "accident."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the 55-year-old boxing legend was hit by a car while walking in Virginia Beach on Sunday night around 10 PM. Emergency responders raced to the scene and treated Whitaker but couldn't save him. 

The driver of the car was cooperative with police -- and we're told officials do NOT believe alcohol, drugs or speed was a factor in the incident. 

As one official put it, "It appears to just be a horrible accident."

Now, the Virginia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is releasing the topline results of the autopsy -- telling us the obvious, "Multiple blunt force injuries."

No word on funeral arrangement at this point -- but we're told several fans have created a makeshift memorial at the spot where Whitaker died, leaving flowers and other items to honor the boxer.