Boxing

Sergey Kovalev says God saved him from a potentially deadly accident -- and now, he's vowing to show fans the "real Krusher" in his return fight this weekend.

"I said very big thanks to the God for save my life," Sergey told TMZ Sports. "I still healthy, and now he gave me opportunity again."

FYI, the boxing star recently revealed he got into a crazy car accident in Russia after his back-to-back losses to Andre Ward -- skidding into a dense forest off a 2-lane highway ... but miraculously avoiding direct impact with any trees.

Kovalev told us that close call led him to a monastery in Greece -- where he got clean in the body and mind, and got over his gut-wrenching defeats at the hands of Ward.

Floyd Mayweather is closing 2017 with one last business deal -- and it's easier money than boxing Conor McGregor.

TBE has signed on to be the new face of "Wild Poker" -- a "social casino adventure" game for mobile devices. Sources say Floyd's making around 6-figures and will make additional cash on the back end based on how well the game does.

The game sounds cool ... players pick a character (you can even be Floyd) and ya gotta figure out strategic ways to become the most dominant gambler in a virtual casino world.

Players don't gamble with real money -- but you can use real money to buy in-app upgrades to give your character an advantage at the tables.

"I'm constantly asked to put my name on stuff, but Wild Poker is different than any game I've ever seen," Floyd says.

"It's poker, but it goes to the next level. There's a whole new level of strategy with the power ups. It's a cutting edge game -- this is that next thing."

Deontay Wilder says official negotiations to get him and Anthony Joshua in the ring are "most definitely" underway ... and it's only a matter of time before the world's top 2 heavyweights throw down.

"My people have met their people and they're actually gonna meet again as well, too. It's getting closer," Wilder told the guys on the TMZ Sports TV show.

But there's a catch -- Deontay says Joshua is probably gonna take "a warm-up fight" to get ready for that action ... so it might be a minute before the Bronze Bomber gets his shot at the unified world champ.

Oscar De La Hoya is putting concerns there won't be a GGG vs. Canelo Alvarez rematch to bed ... he says it's happening -- most likely on Cinco de Mayo -- and it's going to be the biggest thing in boxing.

We got The Golden Boy at his 21st Annual Turkey Giveaway in L.A. Saturday and asked him about the highly anticipated fight (part 2) ... and he's pumped about it too.

He says the plan is for the rematch to go down the same place as last time -- T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas -- on May 5, 2018. As you'll recall ... the first fight was ruled a draw despite one judge insanely scoring it 118 to 110 for Canelo, who's Oscar's fighter.

As for Conor McGregor -- who Oscar recently boasted he could beat in 2 rounds -- the retired former champ doubled down ... and took a jab at Floyd Mayweather while he was at it.

Floyd Mayweather's obviously into some awesome classics ... and Keyshia Cole more than delivered.

Floyd was out at Seventeen Lounge Wednesday night in Hollywood where Keyshia covered some new music from her latest album "11:11 Reset." The event -- dubbed "Malibu Nights" -- was hosted by Miss Diddy and Grammy winner Eric Bellinger.

Floyd was just among the gaggle of celebs who attended ... including Meagan Good, "Love & Hip Hop Hollywood" star Brooke Valentine and "All Eyez on Me" star Demetrius Shipp Jr.

Ferdie Pacheco, the corner man who fixed up Muhammad Ali for years in the ring, has died.

Pacheco, known as the "Fight Doctor," died Thursday at his home in Miami ... according to his wife and daughter.

He met Ali in Miami during the '60s, when he trained with Angelo Dundee. Pacheco began working with them and stayed on as Ali's ringside doctor through his prime years as heavyweight champion.

Pacheco went on to become a two-time Emmy-winning TV boxing analyst. He was portrayed by Paul Rodriguez in the 2001 "Ali" biopic.

He's survived by his wife, 4 children and 2 grandchildren.

Pacheco was 89.

Floyd Mayweather was in attention-seeking mode Tuesday night -- taking his head-turning Rolls-Royce to the most paparazzi-packed restaurant in town ... while wearing a bright pink hat.

So, when we saw him walking into Catch LA -- we had to ask about Oscar De La Hoya calling out Conor McGregor ... since Floyd's beaten 'em both.

Mayweather was super nice to our guy -- but made it clear he didn't want to add fuel to that fire.

Why not? Perhaps it was because his cutman Rafael Garcia passed away earlier in the day. Maybe he doesn't want to take the focus off a MayMac rematch?

Either way ... condolences.

Here's some menacing threats ... courtesy of Deontay Wilder.

Wilder says he's on Anthony Joshua's ass in a big way -- doing everything in his power to make the heavyweight superfight happen ... soon!

So, what's holding it up? Wilder says he's convinced Joshua genuinely fears him -- and he's afraid Deontay could put such a savage beating on him, it could destroy his career.

Wilder tries to make Joshua feel better ... but it only comes off as terrifying -- especially after that beating Deontay put on Bermane Stiverne last weekend (seriously ... it was scary).

Mike Tyson got KO'd in Chile -- authorities there denied him entry and ordered him back to the U.S. of A.

Authorities say the former heavyweight boxing champ didn't meet the requirements for entry Thursday because of his rap sheet. The country's equivalent of the FBI posted this pic showing Tyson flanked by 2 detectives.

There are two ways to read this quick video response from Michael B. Jordan that TMZ Sports shot outside Craig's in L.A. when we asked him about rumors UFC's Sage Northcutt is up for the role of Ivan Drago's son in "Creed 2."

"I don't even know who that is," Michael said.

Maybe he doesn't. Sage isn't a household name (yet). Maybe MBJ was just trying to drive his ridiculously nice car into the L.A. night, probably to visit some beautiful actress and eat fresh grapes.

Or maybe he knows exactly who Sage is and that he's up for the role -- and played the age-old "I don't who that is" game because he wants to give no props to the man whose fictional dad killed his fictional dad.

Maybe MBJ wants the revenge America deserves on Drago's unholy spawn so badly that he can't even begin to come to terms with the all-encompassing rage he feels when the name "Drago" is uttered.

It's probably the first one, honestly, but dear God we wish it was the second.

To hell with you, Drago. #RIPApolloCreed.

Deontay Wilder says he's literally gonna KILL HIS OPPONENT in the ring this weekend ... guaranteeing victory by death when he rematches Bermane Stiverne at the Barclays Center.

"Somebody will die in that ring come November 4, I promise," Deontay said in an interview.

"I beat him to an inch of his life the first time. This time, I'ma END his life."

FYI, Stiverne's the only guy Wilder couldn't knock out in his career ... so this time, Deontay wants to make sure he leaves the arena in a body bag.

"I want a body on my record anyway. I wanna put a body there."

The backup Rocky Balboa statue for "Rocky III" might just end up in the hands of Sly Stallone himself ... 'cause his wife, Jennifer Flavin, says she wants to buy it!!

That was until we told her how much it'd cost her -- up to $1 MIL -- at which point she seemed to lose hope (sorry, Jenn).

TMZ Sports broke the story ... SCP Auctions is taking bids on the only replica of the iconic Rocky statue -- made just in case anything happened to the original.

Flavin was pumped about bringing the piece home to Stallone ... but after finding out the price tag, told us another place she'd be OK with the bronzen Balboa ending up.

Never say never, though ... you really think Sly wouldn't pony up?

Floyd Mayweather "obviously" threw several rounds during the Conor McGregor fight in a "marvelous scam" to set up a rematch ... so says Hall of Fame boxing commentator Jim Lampley.

Lampley -- who's been covering the sport for 3 decades -- UNLEASHES on Mayweather as a scam artist whose essentially praying on "suckers."

But the biggest allegation ... Lampley tells TMZ Sports he's CONVINCED Mayweather intentionally tanked at least 3 rounds in the Conor fight and then carried McGregor to the 10th for show.

And anyone who thinks Mayweather is REALLY going to retire after pulling off that stunt is dead wrong.

"Why should he retire? He created a marvelous scam with this whole thing," Lampley said.

"He allowed Conor to quote 'win' 3 rounds so that the whole global MMA wish community could have something to latch on to. I think there's a decent chance there's enough suckers out there Floyd could maybe make another $150 million, why not?"

"It's all a set up."

Wanna buy the ORIGINAL Rocky Balboa sculpture from "Rocky III?"

Too bad, it's not for sale. But the BACKUP statue is on the auction block.

The artist behind the piece, A. Thomas Schomberg, made two versions of the iconic sculpture back in the 80's for the 1982 flick ... #1 was used in the movie and #2 was a backup in case anything bad happened.

The original sculpture from the movie is still in Philly. The backup had been on display for years in the San Diego Hall of Champions, but that place closed down and now Rocky #2 is for sale.

We spoke with a rep for SCP Auctions -- which has auctioned everything from game-worn Babe Ruth uniforms to Michael Jordan game-used shoes -- and they're expecting the Rocky statue to fetch somewhere between $500k and $1 mil.

Still interested? Hope you've got a freight truck -- 'cause the bronze Balboa stands at nearly 9-feet tall and weighs 1,800 pounds.

Bidding ends November 4 ... good luck!!

Conor McGregor might have to wait ... another huge fighter says he's gonna take a chunk out of Floyd Mayweather's ass if he returns, and this guy is a boxing superstar.

The guy is WBC super welterweight champ Jermell Charlo, who's fresh off a devastating first round knockout of Erickson Lubin a couple of weeks ago.

Charlo hit the Lakers game Thursday night with Brandon Watson -- co-owner of the Team Watson Boxing Gym in L.A. -- and told us if Floyd (who's been working out) is serious about a comeback, he's down.

For the record, Floyd and Charlo are pretty good buddies -- and Charlo respects Floyd immensely -- but wouldn't you fight your pal for a $100 million payday???

Us too.

Jon Jones is the biggest wasted talent in sports history -- so says Andre Berto, who agreed with Dana White's bold statement from earlier this week.

Don't get it twisted -- Andre is a HUGE Jones fan, and told TMZ Sports he "wouldn't say it as harsh" as the UFC honcho ... but the boxing star thinks Jones fits the bill based on all his physical gifts.

"Jon Jones is ridiculously talented, man. Tall, long, rangy, skills."

FYI, Jon is currently facing a suspension for up to 4 years after getting popped for steroids ... but swears on God and his kids that he didn't use.

As for A.B. -- he says he's serious about joining the UFC!