Boxing

Eddie Hearn -- the promoter in charge of Anthony Joshua's career -- says the fight between Logan Paul and KSI is an insult to hardcore boxing fans ... an insult he'd LOVE to promote.

Hearn basically controls boxing on the other side of the pond ... promoting not only AJ, but stars like Amir Khan, Daniel Jacobs and Tony Bellew.

Being that the fight is happening in his backyard in Manchester, we had to get Hearn's take on the event, and he told us he HATES IT and LOVES IT, all at the same time.

"How can you not congratulate them? This is a venture that's got a lot of people talking. Again, from a hardcore boxing fan's point of view, it makes my skin crawl. But, from a promoter's point of view, I have to say congratulations."

Hearn's point is clear ... he says Logan and KSI have managed to capture the interest of non-boxing fans, which Eddie says is the key to making a big splash on pay-per-view.

With Logan Paul saying he wants a real UFC fight -- here's a reality check from one of the best in the game ... YOU WILL LOSE!

UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley says he's been impressed with Logan's training sessions as he gears up for his boxing match with KSI, but when it comes to UFC ... Logan ain't beating anyone.

Remember, Logan says he wants to fight CM Punk -- but Tyron says straight-up that ain't gonna happen.

There's a lot more on this week's episode of 'The Hollywood Beatdown' ... including Tyron's prediction in the Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov fight!

Tyron also updates us on his training camp for his fight against Darren Till at UFC 228 on Sept. 8 in Dallas.

Who needs fighting lessons from Muhammad Ali when you've got martial arts legend Michael Jai White?

Michael -- an actor who owns 8 black belts -- wants to teach YOU to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. His instructional video is going viral, so we HAD to discover Michael's secrets to kicking ass and taking names.

We also wanted to know ... would Michael beat Wesley Snipes in a fight? Turns out, there's way too much brotherly love between them for a potential showdown.

Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn says the probability that a fight happens with Deontay Wilder is pretty good -- like 100% good -- telling TMZ Sports it WILL HAPPEN no matter what.

Joshua vs. Wilder is the biggest fight in boxing bar none, but so far the two sides haven't been able to agree on terms to get the guys in the ring.

Hearn -- who was in Chicago promoting DAZN's October 6 card -- is telling the boxing public to be patient, basically giving his word that next year is the year.

"100% provided both guys keep winning. That's the fight. That's the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. No amount of money can ever buy that."

Like Hearn said, both men have rumbles coming up -- Wilder in December and Joshua in September -- and if things go like they've been going, it looks like we all get our show.

Boxing star Gervonta "Tank" Davis says he wants an MMA fight with UFC champ T.J. Dillashaw -- and now T.J.'s responding ... "Bring It!"

Tank has been talking about getting into the Octagon for a while -- previously telling TMZ Sports he truly believes he has the talent, athleticism and skill to compete in MMA.

And, after he watched T.J. beat up Cody Garbrandt at UFC 227 over the weekend, he tweeted out a challenge to the bantamweight champ.

"I wanna fight the dude that fought Cody yesterday."

Well, T.J. saw the tweet and shot back with a little trash talk of his own -- "Bring it! I heard they were handing out belts after [Vasyl Lomachenko] left your division."

Obviously, if this fight were to come together it would take some time -- but Davis says he's serious about it.

Jake Paul ain't just training for his superfight with YouTube star Deji by pummeling his friends in his living room boxing ring ... he tells TMZ Sports he's getting LEGIT coaching from "Sugar" Shane Mosley too!

We got the Internet sensation (and his smokin' hot GF, Erika Costell) leaving a workout with world class trainer Phil Paolina in the Valley on Monday when he revealed one of boxing's all-time greats is giving him pointers.

He says there are others in his corner as well -- including his own version of Mr. Miyagi -- all getting him ready for the Aug. 25 fight that could be bigger than McGregor-Mayweather.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is reminding us all why his nickname is the "Greek Freak" ... 'cause the NBA superstar took his first boxing lesson Thursday -- and it was pretty freakin' scary.

The 6-foot-11 Bucks forward -- lookin' as jacked as ever -- learned how to throw some jabs and hooks ... and the video is wild.

His trainer looks tiny ... and when G throws the haymakers -- there's some hold-your-breath moments.

FYI -- Antetokounmpo ain't the first gigantic NBA player to lace up the boxing gloves ... Shaq actually fought Oscar De La Hoya back in 2009.

Funniest part ... Giannis captioned the vid with "StayFreaky"

Logan Paul ain't the only Paul whoopin' ass in the ring ...

Here's little bro Jake Paul beating the snot out of one his sparring partners ahead of his huge fight with KSI's little bro, Deji, on August 25.

Paul hits him with a few body shots, then a few head shots, and finishes him in a tangled mess in the ropes.

You can see Jake's big bro, Logan, watching the session from outside the ring -- and loving it.

A couple of guys who were at the house rushed over to help the sparring partner. If they REALLY wanted to help, they woulda taught him how to counterpunch.

By the way ... the ring is in Jake's living room -- 'cause he's THAT serious about winning in the YouTube stars' tilt later this month.

Remember ... TMZ Sports also got video of Logan putting a beating on his sparring partner during a training sesh back in June when he put the guy on his ass with a solid left hook.

Floyd Mayweather says the core of his feud with 50 Cent is that the rapper tried to push out the guy who runs his business ... Al Haymon.

FYI, Al is Floyd's longtime manager -- and Floyd has credited him with having a crucial role in building his near-billion-dollar empire.

So, when Floyd appeared on Complex News and was asked about his beef with 50 -- Mayweather suggested it all began years ago when 50 Cent tried to cut Haymon out of Floyd's business and start his own thing with Mayweather.

Floyd also says 50 publicly claimed Mayweather owed him money -- and clearly that stuck in Floyd's craw.

"I don't owe anyone money."

Mayweather has also taken offense to 50's claim that he's a poser who didn't REALLY buy that famous $18 million diamond watch. He busted it out during the interview to prove 50 wrong.

And, while Floyd had SOME nice things to say about the rapper -- he ripped 50's show, "Power" ... saying this season is "sh*t."

Ever seen a drunk intervention before? Well, that's kinda what happened Monday night ...

Boxing superstars Adrien Broner and Gervonta Davis were leaving Ace of Diamonds in L.A. after balling out in the club ... when AB decided to deliver a message to Floyd Mayweather and 50 Cent.

"Floyd and 50 ... y'all on some bitch ass sh*t," Broner said.

"Y'all some bitch ass n****s. Y'all gotta stop that man. Y'all brothers. I'm mad as f*ck y'all doing that in public."

Broner's friends with both guys and says he's sick of watching them feud over Instagram. Broner also says if he and Davis can bury the hatchet, then 50 and Floyd can make peace too.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. is now a married man -- TMZ Sports has learned the 65-year-old tied the knot in a low-key ceremony back in February ... and we've got the pics to prove it!

Sources connected to the situation tell us ... Floyd and Lois Ann Roberts hit up the Stained Glass Wedding Chapel in Vegas on February 4 and swapped "I Dos" in a very quick and quiet ceremony.

The place offers special Elvis-themed weddings -- but Floyd opted for the more traditional option. Too bad!

We're told Floyd's famous boxing superstar son was NOT at the wedding. However, our Mayweather sources say Floyd Jr. is really fond of Sr.'s new wife -- they've known each other for decades and he considered her family even before things became official.

Kevin Hart is set to step into a boxing ring with poker champ Antonio Esfandiari in March ... and there will be legit money on the line in the fight -- Antonio tells TMZ Sports.

First ... some backstory. Hart and Esfandiari have been solid friends for years -- having played in poker tournaments together every now and then.

Sooo ... when we got the 39-year-old card player leaving M Cafe and he liked the fact that our photog recognized him ... he gave us "some juice" on his friendship with the comedy icon.

"Kevin Hart and I were playing the other day, we were hanging out ... and somehow boxing comes up," Antonio tells us.

"So, we made a bet. And, in March, around March, we are going to box in a ring."

Bomb. Shell.

Antonio then revealed he's getting 35-to-1 odds in the bout ... mostly 'cause he plays with cards all day while Kevin's "in better shape," "he's an athlete," and "he's fast as hell."

Esfandiari wouldn't tell us how much cheddar is on the line ... but, Antonio is worth a reported $20 mil, while K. Hart's worth $57 million -- soooo, stakes are probably pretty high.

Good luck with the training!

KSI is in some SERIOUS trouble come August 25 ... so says Logan Paul's old roommate, Mark Dohner, who tells TMZ Sports he knows firsthand what the social media star is capable of doing.

Dohner -- who has more than 2 MILLION subscribers on YouTube -- says he's had his fair share of scuffles with Logan in the 2 years they lived together ... and thinks KSI's gonna be severely outmatched.

"I think physically, Logan's a beast. He's so strong, he's got reach. I would never in my life pick a fight with Logan Paul."

ICYMI -- we spoke with KSI last week ... and he said he's trying to kill Logan's ego by making 2018 the worst year of his life.

As for Logan, we've obtained video of a recent sparring sesh, and he knocked a dude straight on his ass.

Is it fight day yet??

Fat Joe says he truly believes 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather are "brothers" and need to end their feud -- but he's not the gonna be the mediator.

Joe is friends with both guys -- and says it's crazy to watch them bash each other so hard on social media.

The latest in the feud ... Floyd says 50 Cent is a "herpes infested rat." 50 says Floyd is a fake rich "sucker" who beats women.

50 also made some dark accusations about Mayweather's alleged role in the murder-suicide of one of his friends.

Enter Fat Joe ... who says he still believes in his heart of hearts that Floyd and 50 love each other -- but believes they need to call a truce.

"I'm tired of being the middle guy," Joe said ... "I'm tired of [being] the guy breaking everything up. I mean, you know, they're brothers, man. I don't like it. I don't like it. Because they're both beautiful guys to me, man."

Despite the hostility, Joe says there may be peace "somewhere down the road."

"I think maybe in the long run, they'll figure it out. I really believe that they sincerely love each other and they're brothers. Unfortunately, this is playing out on social media."

Meanwhile, Fat Joe is killin' it in the studio -- he just released a new track called "Attention" with Chris Brown.

Ronda Rousey vs. Cris "Cyborg" Justino -- the superfight that never happened -- could still be a possibility ... just not in the UFC.

TMZ Sports talked to Cyborg at the airport in L.A. on Sunday ... and asked her about the possibility of finally facing her rival after years of trash talk ... and battling Ronda in the WWE.

"Some fans ask me, 'Cris, do you like to make a fight with Ronda Rousey in WWE?'" Cyborg tells us, "I say 'Maybe, ya don't know. Maybe.' It's not something I plan. But if fans would like to watch, I need to train for that, but, ya know, it's gonna be great."

Cyborg was actually complimentary of Ronda ... telling us she's seen Rousey do her thing in the WWE ... and thinks she's kickin' ass in the squared circle.

"I watch a couple things Ronda's doing there, and I think she's doing great."

KSI's fight with Logan Paul is set to be one of the biggest sporting events of the year ... but the British YouTuber says he's got even BIGGER plans in mind ... telling TMZ Sports he's dead set on going pro!!

We spoke with KSI -- who more than 19 MILLION subscribers on YouTube -- about the August 25 fight in Manchester, and he says he's not putting on an act ... his hatred for the Pauls is VERY real.

"I think his ego needs to be put right down." KSI says. "He thinks he's the sh*t and I'm about to f*ck him up and literally put him in his place."

"I want this year to be the worst year of his life, 100%. Pretty much, I want to squeeze every bit of relevancy from him and then move on to my bigger goal, which is to go pro."

We also asked KSI what he thought about our video of Logan knocking a dude on his ass in a recent sparring sesh ... and his response is hilarious.