Boxing

Floyd Mayweather is ready to go out in public again ... sitting courtside at the Miami Heat game on Wednesday -- the first time we've seen him since the shooting in Atlanta.

As we previously reported, Mayweather's longtime bodyguard, Greg La Rosa, was shot during an ambush on Floyd's 3-vehicle entourage early Monday morning. Cops believe the entourage was specifically targeted.

Cops are still trying to figure out why someone would want to kill Floyd or someone on his team -- but in the meantime, Mayweather picked up and went to Miami.

Floyd Mayweather had a heavy security presence at a Waffle House in Atlanta hours before someone opened fire on his entourage ... and TMZ Sports has the video.

Witnesses tell us ... Floyd hit up the Waffle House around 10 PM on Sunday -- before hosting a party at a nearby nightclub. It was on his way back from the club when someone ambushed Floyd's 3-car caravan and opened fire, striking one of his bodyguards.

But it was all gravy at the Waffle House -- with Floyd turning up at the jukebox inside the restaurant while his security team kept an eye out for danger.

In fact, as Floyd dances away ... you can see bodyguard Greg La Rosa keeping Floyd's area safe.

Cops are still looking for the shooter and a motive as to why someone would want to attack Floyd's crew.

Cops believe whoever shot Floyd Mayweather's bodyguard in Atlanta early Monday morning was specifically targeting Floyd's entourage.

The Atlanta PD has now identified the victim as Greg La Rosa -- a longtime member of Floyd's TMT bodyguard crew.

La Rosa was a passenger in the lead vehicle of Floyd's 3-car entourage -- which cops say was leaving a Waffle House after Floyd had hosted a party at Medusa nightclub.

Cops say the actions of the shooter suggest Floyd's crew was specifically targeted -- though it's unclear if the shooter was trying to kill Floyd.

As for La Rosa, he was shot in the leg -- and was discharged from the hospital around 5:30 AM. Cops say he's doing well.

Cops say the driver of the lead car tried to speed away from the shooter -- but the shooter's car gave chase.

Eventually, the driver was able to shake the shooter's car and took Greg to the hospital.

Mayweather was NOT injured in the attack -- but cops say they desperately want to speak with him as soon as possible.

Floyd Mayweather didn't appear to have a care in the world in the hours before someone opened fire on his entourage ... partying in an ATL nightclub.

The boxer was the special VIP host at Medusa nightclub on Sunday night -- where he partied with a ton of people, including rapper YFN Lucci.

Sources in the club tell us Floyd had a great time there and didn't appear to have any drama with anyone -- let alone an issue that would spark a shooting.

The world-famous "Rocky III" statue just got a major upgrade courtesy of the city of Philadelphia ... and the real-life Rocky wasn't about to miss the ceremony!!

Sylvester Stallone, who's in town filming "Creed 2," says he stopped by the bronzen Balboa earlier today to help unveil a plaque made for the statue 12 YEARS ago ... but got "misplaced" somehow (we blame Drago).

Joining Sly at the ceremony was Philly Mayor Jim Kenney ... and a pack of screaming "Rocky" fans!!

"I want to thank the Mayor Jim (Kenney) and his staff, the Philadelphia Police Department and of course the loyal fans that braved the cold. Keep punching, Philly," Stallone said on social media.

Remember, there were only TWO versions of the famous Rocky statue made for "Rocky III" -- and Sly has the other one back at his L.A. home ... which he's been showing off to some of his famous friends.

The robe Muhammad Ali wore on the night of his world-famous "phantom punch" 1965 fight against Sonny Liston is about to hit the auction block -- but it ain't gonna come cheap!

Goldin Auctions is putting the historic ringwear up for grabs with a starting bid of $75k ... but we're told the terry cloth robe with "Muhammad Ali" stitched on the back should fetch a quarter mil, at least!!

It ain't hard to see why -- Ali's rematch vs. Liston was one of the biggest fights in The Greatest's career. It was also his first bout after becoming a Black Muslim ... and recognizing himself as Muhammad Ali instead of Cassius Clay.

"The historical significance of this robe is tremendous, not just for its link to one of the greatest fights in boxing history, but also for the cultural impact Ali’s religious beliefs made," G.A. tells TMZ Sports.

The fight also spawned one of the most iconic images in sports history -- Ali standing over Liston after KO'ing him with the "phantom punch."

FYI, if you're worried about authenticity, the robe comes with a notarized letter of provenance from the guy who got the threads straight from Ali's trainer, Angelo Dundee.

If Conor McGregor can fight Floyd Mayweather ... why not Brian Ortega vs. Gennady Golovkin?!

The UFC rising star tells TMZ Sports he's all the way down to take Canelo Alvarez's place in the May 5 boxing match ... now that Canelo has withdrawn from the fight.

"I'm down. I'm down. I'm down," Ortega said while out in NYC to promote UFC 223 ... "I want Triple G."

Look, Ortega -- and his boxing coach James Luhrsen -- know it ain't exactly an even fight ... but Ortega says he's down for the challenge and would work his ass off for a shot at one of the best boxers in the world.

"Triple G, I'm a fan ... If you want to fight an MMA fighter and you're looking for a fight, let's do it, man!"

The Canelo Alvarez vs. GGG rematch has gotten the axe -- with Canelo formally announcing he's withdrawing from the fight at an L.A. news conference in the wake of a positive PED test.

Canelo and Gennady Golovkin were scheduled to have their rematch on May 5 after a controversial first fight, but Alvarez got popped for a banned substance on March 5.

At the conference, Canelo said he still blames the failed drug test on tainted Mexican beef -- claiming he ate steak that was pumped full of Clenbuterol. He also vowed to prove that he is not a drug cheat.

Alvarez was issued a temporary suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission a couple weeks ago ... and his official hearing with the NAC is scheduled for April 10.

More bad news for Adrien Broner ... the troubled boxer is now being sued for sexual battery by the woman who claims he groped her genitals at a Georgia mall, TMZ Sports has learned.

The woman behind the suit is Kaila Crews ... who claims she was walking around the Lenox Square shopping center back in February when Broner approached her and "swiped his hand across [her] private parts."

"At no point had Plaintiff given [Broner] permission to touch any part of her body," Crews' lawsuit states.

Part of the incident was captured on video -- including the moment Broner was handcuffed by police and arrested for misdemeanor sexual battery.

Crews claims she suffered emotional distress from the incident and says Broner needs to pay up for any injuries she experienced, along with pain and suffering.

As for the criminal case, investigators are still collecting evidence.

Meanwhile, Broner has a fight scheduled for April 21 -- where he's due to face off against Jessie Vargas at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder says most boxers' worst fear is his fantasy ... telling the world he desperately wants to KILL A MAN IN THE RING before his career is over.

Wilder sat down with Charlamagne Tha God & Angela Yee (DJ Envy probably already walked out of the interview) on "The Breakfast Club," when he made the incredibly frightening statement.

"I want a body on my record. I want one. I really do."

Ummm, yeah. If any of you think he's joking, Wilder actually goes on to give reasons why he feels this way, saying he's not in his right mind when he's in the ring under his "Bronze Bomber" persona.

"That's the Bronze Bomber. He want one. When I'm the Bronze Bomber I don't care. I want that on my record."

In case you were wondering, it DOES happen, and most fighters say it haunts them their entire life. But, Wilder says only part of his split personality would feel remorse, and even then it's part of the game.

"Deontay would feel bad, but we signed up for that."

Yikes. You sure you want that, Anthony Joshua?

Floyd Mayweather couldn't have picked a better teacher for his MMA quest -- so says Jay Glazer, who's convinced Tyron Woodley is the man to mold Floyd into an Octagon killer.

Don't get it twisted -- Jay, an MMA analyst, clearly thinks Mayweather's facing a steep learning curve ... but when it comes to one of his biggest holes, he told us the UFC welterweight champ has him covered.

"He's in good hands. If you want to learn wrestling, Tyron's the guy to learn it from, no doubt," Glazier told TMZ Sports in Hollywood.

Jay also told us why all Floyd's haters need to take a step back ... 'cause anyone trying to master "the toughest sport in the world" should get respect.

Deontay Wilder says Anthony Joshua's so scared to meet him face to face, he's doing everything he can to prevent an in-ring confrontation after his fight vs. Joseph Parker -- including threatening a restraining order!!

At least, that's what Deontay's hearing.

Wilder says AJ was also planning on beefin' up security at the arena ... so he ain't even gonna bother making the trip out to Principality Stadium in Wales for Joshua vs. Parker.

"I'm starting to hear about restraining orders and all this stuff ... I don't think they want this fight," Deontay tells TMZ Sports.

Willder says it sucks they can't square up after Joshua presumably beats the brakes off Parker ... 'cause it'd be the perfect opportunity to promote their heavyweight grudge match.

Deontay wants his fans to know he's sorry ... but promises DW vs. AJ is a matter of when, not if.

Ronda Rousey says Floyd Mayweather taking an MMA fight is NEVER gonna happen ... 'cause he'd get his ass handed to him inside the Octagon!

Ronda straight laughed off Floyd's apparent interest in fighting for the UFC on "Golic and Wingo" Tuesday ... telling them why she thinks it's "all talk."

"That'll never happen ... I don’t think he’d do well in MMA at all,” Rousey said.

The topic was brought up 'cause of her transition to WWE, as well as Conor McGregor's temporary move to boxing.

Ronda clearly doesn't think all career switches are created equal ... and/or still doesn't think highly of Mayweather, even though he tried to squash their beef last year.

Chael Sonnen says Floyd Mayweather coming outta retirement is already a done deal ... 'cause he's a "dumb-dumb" who's burned through his billion-dollar fortune!!

And that ain't all -- Chael is guaran-damn-teeing Floyd's next fight will NOT be in the UFC.

"Floyd's not gonna do MMA but he is gonna box again," Sonnen told TMZ Sports. "I will tell you unequivocally, right now, Floyd Mayweather does, and is planning, to box one more time."

Chael ain't disputing Floyd's insane paydays for the McGregor and Pacquiao fights ... but says Money spends his cash even faster than he makes it.

"Floyd's broke ... it does not matter what you made, it matters what you kept, and he is a dumb-dumb!"

"Look, he's just not a very bright guy. He's surrounded with even less bright guys."

Chael says the one thing Mayweather IS smart about is staying relevant -- which is why he's been hyping a switch to MMA.

UFC champ Tyron Woodley says he's gonna start training Floyd ASAP ... so stay tuned.

Bob Arum says Canelo Alvarez should go away for a long time if he's taking steroids to get an edge on GGG ... but the top boxing promoter ain't gonna throw the book at him just yet.

Don't get it twisted -- Bob says Canelo blaming his positive PED test on Mexican beef is like telling your teacher, "the dog ate my homework" -- but he says Canelo's owed due process even though his excuse smells like BS.

"If drugs were taken to bulk him up, they gotta suspend him, and they gotta suspend him for a long period," Arum told TMZ Sports. "If it was inadvertent ... then give him a pass."

FYI, Canelo was temporarily suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission over the weekend ... just days after GGG slammed him as a long-time juicer.

Floyd Mayweather says it'll take him 6-8 months to be an MMA star ... and according to UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley, that journey starts NEXT WEEK!!

The welterweight champ joined the guys on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs weeknights on FS1) ... and the conversation of course turned to Floyd's preparation for his new career.

It was Woodley who first broke the news Floyd was serious about training on "The Hollywood Beatdown" ... Mayweather then confirmed it when we got him out in L.A. ... and now it's time to get things poppin'.

"I think we're gonna start most of it next week. I think we're gonna start some of the strategy talks next week and we might get some sessions in as well."

With that being said ... T.W. breaks down exactly what they're gonna focus on.

"He does not have to go out there and start learning how to kick like Bruce Lee. He does not have to go out there and become a black belt over night."