Boxing

Oscar De La Hoya isn't just campaigning for a Ryan Garcia-Gervonta Davis fight ... he said this week he also wants to launch a campaign for himself -- to be the next mayor of Las Vegas!

The former boxing champ was answering a series of questions from fans on Inside Boxing Live With Dan Canobbio this week ... when one of the listeners wanted to know if he was planning on running for President in 2024.

Remember, De La Hoya told us in 2018 that he was seriously considering running against Donald Trump in the 2020 election. That, obviously, didn't happen ... but De La Hoya told the questioner on the show one in '24 won't either.

"No," ODLH said with a laugh. "No more presidential run."

But, the 49-year-old did reveal he's planning on running for another government position -- mayor of Sin City.

"There might be some opportunities in Vegas to run for mayor," De La Hoya said. "Imagine that?"

De La Hoya revealed he's building a home in Vegas -- so the move, which he seemed pretty serious about, would make sense for him.

"It’ll be interesting to see if I can make a run for mayor in Las Vegas," he said.

Of course, Vegas is where some of the biggest boxing matches happen -- which is perfect for ODLH and his Golden Boy Promotions.

Canobbio pointed that out ... saying, "Make that fight -- Ryan Garcia vs. Tank Davis. You're the Mayor. You can pull strings. Gives you even more power."

Tragic news ... South African boxer Simiso Buthelezi -- who became disoriented during a fight over the weekend and began punching thin air -- has died.

Boxing South Africa confirmed the awful news Wednesday morning -- saying Buthelezi passed away on Tuesday night at a hospital in Durban.

He was just 24 years old.

Buthelezi had been initially hospitalized on Sunday following a terrifying scene in a boxing tournament in Greyville, Durban.

Video from the fight showed Buthelezi, in the 10th round of the bout against Siphesihle Mntungwa, advanced to a corner of the ring following a brief break in the action ... and threw punches at air -- seemingly fighting an invisible man.

He later collapsed in the ring ... and was rushed to the hospital, where -- according to Boxing South Africa -- it was discovered he had a brain injury and was internally bleeding.

"At the hospital," Boxing South Africa officials said in a statement, "Mr. Buthelezi was given the best care possible but he however succumbed to the injury last night."

It's unclear when, where and how Buthelezi suffered the injury -- he was reportedly in control of the bout from the opening bell.

Boxing South Africa said in its statement an investigation into the fight and the death is underway.

"The Buthelezi family and Boxing South Africa acknowledges warm words of condolences of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture," officials said.

Buthelezi had been unbeaten in the ring prior to Sunday's fight.

Oscar De La Hoya says he's ready to make Gervonta Davis an even richer man than he already is -- by blessing Tank with the biggest check of his career -- and all he's gotta do is fight Ryan Garcia.

TMZ Sports talked to Ryan's longtime promoter about Tank after Davis' contract with friend and promoter Floyd Mayweather reportedly expired ... and we asked Oscar about the possibility of working with Gervonta.

"Tank, I know you had your last fight with Floyd Mayweather, and I respect Floyd Mayweather, and think he did a tremendous job with your career. But, I'm ready to offer you a multi, multi, multi, multi million-dollar offer to fight Ryan Garcia."

FYI, that's four multi's if you're keeping track at home.

What exactly does that mean? We asked ODLH how much money he believes the fight's worth to Tank.

"It'll be the biggest purse that Tank Davis has ever made," Oscar responded.

It's interesting ... Oscar doesn't make the play to sign Davis flat out, but rather promotes what would be a MASSIVE fight.

27-year-old Tank (27-0, 25 KOs) vs. 23-year-old Ryan (22-0, 18 KOs) is a fight that boxing fans have wanted to see for a long time.

De La Hoya even says he's ready to split TV and other revenue with Gervonta's partners ... all in an effort to book the bout.

"Let's make this fight happen. Everybody makes a shitload of money, and we give the fight fans what they want to see."

But, before a fight with Tank, KingRy -- a southern Cali native -- will take on Javier Fortuna at Crypto.com Arena (fka Staples Center).

Oscar, who has a statue outside the building, says he expects the crowd to be chock full of celebs.

YouTuber and boxer Austin McBroom is looking for redemption when he puts on his next boxing event at Crypto.com Arena in July ... enlisting Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell and a former Lakers star to fight on the card.

TMZ Sports spoke with the social media superstar ahead his July 30 fight -- a professional bout against AnEsonGib -- and he's dropping some major hints on the huge names involved.

Among those names include the former Steelers star, some high profile musicians and even a popular ex-NBA hooper ... but aside from Bell, McBroom was tight-lipped on revealing who exactly he was talking about.

Of course, McBroom's Social Gloves' first attempt at the boxing game -- the Battle of the Platforms -- resulted in lawsuits and fighters claiming they didn't get paid ... but the 30-year-old says he's learned his lesson and is ready to put on a hiccup-free show.

"This time around, we're working with people who have been doing this for a while. We have a new team, new streaming partner, everything is new," McBroom tells us. "Guys that are really experienced and I've been very blessed and fortunate to have another shot at this."

"Everything in the past is behind us -- no lawsuits, fighters are paid and we're ready to do this thing the right way and put on a show how it was supposed to be put on the first time around."

McBroom is hellbent on making this a great experience for everyone involved this time around -- hoping to sell out the arena and sell around 300,000 Pay-Per-Views.

As for his own fight, McBroom says he's expecting to make light work out of Gib ... which he hopes will pave the way for a fight against Logan Paul's old opponent, KSI.

Terrifying moment involving a professional boxer in South Africa ... the previously unbeaten fighter became disoriented and started punching air, as if he saw a fighter that didn't exist.

Video of the incident hit social media on Sunday ... showing Simiso Buthelezi fighting Siphesihle Mntungwa for the WBF African lightweight title. In the 10th round of the fight, Simiso was easily winning, when something went very wrong.

A few seconds into the final round, Mntungwa falls through the ropes. When he gets up, the ref tells the men to continue fighting.

However, Buthelezi turns to the referee, and squares up to him, as if he is the opponent. Seeing this happening, the ref shuffles to the side.

Buthelezi then advances to the corner of the ring and starts throwing punches at the air ... as if he were fighting an invisible opponent.

The ref did a great job, sensing something was wrong ... and immediately ended the fight.

Buthelezi was taken to a local hospital where he is reportedly in stable condition.

As for why he had the reaction he did ... that's currently unclear.

Most importantly ... get well soon, Simiso.

Adrien Broner is putting all his fake supporters on notice ... callin' them out for going MIA on him -- and vowing to be a champion again soon enough.

The 32-year-old welterweight made the guarantee in a lengthy post on his social media page Monday morning ... saying he's been "working my ass off alone" the past two and a half months in order to start the journey back to the top.

In the post, Broner -- who's slated to return to the ring on July 23 -- called out everyone who used to be in his corner while he was a rising star in the sport ... saying he's fine with training alone now, as long as everyone keeps "the same energy when I’m back CHAMPION!!!!!!!"

"I see a lot of people left me and think I won’t be champion again," Broner said. "Now it’s just me @coachmikestafford and @vithecutman and I wanna keep it this way ain’t no hard feelings to nobody."

"Some of the closest people switched up on me and I’m fine with they decision," Broner added, "cause I know I'm a hustla I started this S*** alone and I’m go finish this s*** alone."

Broner will take on Omar Figueroa (28-2-1) in Chicago in the July matchup ... and it's slated to be his first fight since his controversial win against Jovanie Santiago in February 2021.

Broner has had a rocky road since the victory -- he was famously arrested in October.

Here's Blac Chyna preparing to step into the ring for her celebrity boxing match ... and from the looks of her training, she's got a mean right hook!!!

TMZ obtained this vid of Chyna working out at Fortune Boxing Gym in L.A., where she's bobbing and weaving her way through a sparring session.

Not to give away her strategy or anything, but BC's throwing tons of punches with her right ... and keeping her left in the defensive position up by her face.

Damon Feldman of Celebrity Boxing tells TMZ ... Chyna is gearing up for next week's match by training with Tamara Frapasella-Fortune, who famously went toe-to-toe with Kim Kardashian in a 2010 celeb boxing match.

Sounds like she's getting tips from one of the best ... besides her celeb boxing track record, Tamara's husband, Justin Fortune, is a trainer for legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao.

BC's been wearing a du-rag and some Chanel shoes during her training sessions ... but she's using more traditional footwear when it's time to spar.

As we reported ... Blac Chyna is fighting Instagram model Alysia Magen in a June 11 charity event presented by Bitcoin Rodney in Pembroke Pines, FL. UFC legend Rashad Evans will referee the bout.

If Chad Ochocinco is still serious about his boxing career ... ex-UFC fighter Chris Avila tells TMZ Sports he'll gladly throw hands with the former NFL star, saying he's looking for a scrap with the guy this summer.

We talked to Avila out in the Bay Area this week and he's targeting August 13 for his next fight -- and, he'd love it if Ochocinco was his opponent.

"I think that'd be an exciting fight for people to watch," said the 29-year-old, who fought in the UFC back in 2016. "If he wants to fight a real fighter, he can box me."

Chad has transitioned into the fighting world following his football career -- you'll recall, he took on Brian Maxwell just before the Logan Paul vs. Floyd Mayweather tilt in June 2021.

Chad was knocked down in the fight, but held his own. He's yet to get back in the ring since.

Avila -- who last fought in a boxing match on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley fight last December -- tells us he's hoping a match with Ochocinco will be featured on the undercard of Jake's next bout in August.

"I don't know if he'd accept it -- or maybe he wants to stick to fighting celebrities," Avila said of Ochocinco. "But if he's down to test his boxing skills, I'm down to fight him."

Avila says he isn't sure if Chad would accept the offer ... wondering out loud if the 44-year-old is "scared" of him. But, he did tell us he knows exactly how the scrap would end if the former Cincinnati Bengals superstar does step in the ring.

A stampede erupted at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn after rumors began to swirl there was an active shooter in the arena.

At least 10 people suffered injuries just after midnight Sunday ... when people began screaming someone was firing shots. It wasn't true, but the crowd didn't know it.

It's unclear how the rumor first started, but it spread like wildfire. A security guard said the rumor was that someone was firing shots outside the arena. That caused people who were leaving the boxing match to make a mad dash back inside, and it became a madhouse.

Naomi Osaka was among those present ... she tweeted, that she heard "shouting and saw people running" and was then told "there was an active shooter and we had to huddle in a room and close the doors," adding, she was "petrified."

Madonna was also there for the championship match between Gervonta Davis and Rolando Romero. It's unclear if she was present during the melee.

One person who was there tweeted, "I watched a person get trampled nearly out cold."

The ten known to be injured were taken to a hospital and according to officials, they suffered only minor injuries.

TikTok star, Bryce Hall, will NEVER be friends with Tayler Holder ... so says Bryce, who believes Tayler is guilty of some serious allegations.

We caught Bryce leaving Bradley Martyn's Zoo Culture Gym in Woodland Hills, Tuesday night, and he went off on Tayler Holder and their never-ending beef.

Bryce says Tayler's interview with TMZ was absolute BS, especially when he claimed he didn't know Bryce. He adds, Tayler was actually the undercard for his Professional boxing event and they've collaborated, despite not being friends.

Going forward though ... Bryce makes it clear he would NEVER be friends with Tayler, "after the s*** he's done," referencing rumors about sexual allegations against Holder. He says Tay should worry about the "lawsuits on his name," instead of contacting the media and promoting his music -- which he gave a pretty damning review.

ICYMI, Tayler sat down on "TMZ Verified Podcast" and denied any, and all, sexual assault allegation rumors against him. During the interview, he also claimed he didn't know Bryce.

Rolando "Rolly" Romero, boxing star/financial advisor, has some advice IF you wanna make money ... bet the house on him when he fights Gervonta "Tank" Davis this weekend.

Or, "you gonna go broke!"

TMZ Sports talked to the 26-year-old, undefeated (14-0, 12 KOs) boxer ahead of his highly anticipated matchup with Tank (26-0, 24 KOs) ... with the WBA lightweight title on the line.

While both men are undefeated, the bout isn't even in oddsmakers' minds

In fact, Davis is around a -1,000 favorite ... meaning you need to risk a grand just to win $100 on Tank.

The inverse of that -- if you bet on Romero and he wins, you're going to make bank. And, that's exactly what Rolly says you should do.

"Go place your bet, make your money. I get rich, y'all get rich," Rolly said.

"The only people that don't get rich are dumbasses who bet on Tank. You bet on Tank, you're gonna go broke."

The 14-0 boxer is so sure of himself he's suggesting folks put everything on the line ... 'cause he's leaving the ring with the WBA belt.

"I'm gonna tell everybody to bet everything they got 'cause the thing is, I'd bet everything I got because that's the thing is, I'd bet everything I got!"

But, don't think the advice is free, 'cause once he wins, Rolly wants something back in return.

"Everyone who bets on me is gonna thank me and honestly I hope everybody buys me a nice dinner after this s**t!"

"I'm gonna win. I'm gonna knock him out!"

As for Tank, (as you'd imagine) he believes the fight will go a little differently ... and he told us as much when we talked to him on Thursday.

"It's gonna take some time to break him down because of his body size but he's definitely getting broke down for sure," Gervonta told us.

"He bruises easily. His face was messed up against someone who can't hit -- imagine me."

Tank Davis couldn't wait to put his hands on Rolando Romero ... the undefeated fighter shoved Rolly off the stage moments after they faced off before their highly anticipated boxing match, nearly sparking a brawl between the fighters and their camps.

TMZ Sports was just feet away, outside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, when the incident kicked off ... in what was supposed to be weigh-ins and the final face-off for the undefeated boxers before they scrap Saturday night in NYC.

After squaring off, 26-year-old Rolly (14-0, 12 KOs) took a half-step forward and flexed, with his right arm appearing to come close to 27-year-old Tank's (26-0, 24 KOs) head.

Gervonta clearly didn't like that, and gave a one-armed push to the back of Romero, who was forced to jump down from the stage ... an elevated platform a few feet high.

Rolly immediately made a beeline for Tank, but was held back by people on stage. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions (Davis is splitting with the promotion after the Romero fight), was in the mix, keeping the fighters away from one another.

While the scene was chaotic, peace was ultimately restored, and no one was injured.

It's not a surprise the men tried to hurt each other ... there's A LOT of bad blood between them. And, on the surface it doesn't seem to be manufactured beef to sell a fight -- these guys flat out don't like each other.

Good thing for Tank and Rolly, the fighters get to beat the hell out of each other in about 30 hours.

Future Hall of Famer James Toney says his class -- "Roy Jones Jr., Floyd Mayweather, Laila Ali, Holly Holm" -- is simply the greatest of all time, telling TMZ Sports it's point-blank, the "best ever!"

Now, there's a bit of an asterisk here. Floyd isn't technically part of the 2022 class like the retired, 54-year-old former 3-weight class world champ.

Mayweather, 50-0, was supposed to be inducted last year (2021) -- along with Wladimir Klitschko and Andre Ward -- but the ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19.

Same deal with Laila ... class of 2021.

2020's HOF class also had to wait ... that group includes Bernard Hopkins and Shane Mosley.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame decided to hold a massive event, inducting three classes into the hall in one star-studded weekend.

That event will go down next month in New York, and Toney is pumped ... just not as much as his family.

"Man, I'm excited. My mom, my wife, they're more excited than I am."

In the ring, Toney had quick hands and good power, but it was his defense and counterpunching that made him a world champ across multiple weight classes.

James was nearly champ in a 4th weight class, heavyweight (he actually beat John Ruiz in 2005), but was stripped of the title over a drug test he flunked following the bout.

All told, "Lights Out" fought professionally 92 times, ending his career with a 77-10-3 with 2 no contests. James beat Evander Holyfield in 2003. He also fought Roy Jones Jr. in 1994. Despite Toney losing the bout, Roy has credited James with being the best pure boxer he faced.

Bottom line, James was a problem ... and now he'll be celebrated alongside the greatest pugilists ever.

"Now I'm originally, literally, one of the greats of all time. I'm forever in history. So I'm excited, happy."

The love for Deontay Wilder in his Tuscaloosa hometown will last forever ... 'cause the city just immortalized the heavyweight boxer with a life-size statue!!

The 42-2 fighter was surrounded by his family and fans on Wednesday when he removed the sheets off the new "Bronze Bomber" figure that's located in front of Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports offices on Jack Warner Parkway.

"It's me!" Wilder said while hugging the sculpture.

The statue -- designed by Caleb O'Connor -- looks exactly like the heavyweight boxer ... from his braided hair and mean grin all the way down to his shorts and shoes.

The 36-year-old knew the honor was coming ... and said in the days leading up to the event this week that it would be "a monumental moment" for him.

"For the first time in my life, I'm at a loss for words," Wilder said. "This is generational wealth. This is black excellence. This is greatness."

Wilder's boxing career started in Tuscaloosa when he turned 20 ... and he later went on to become the WBC heavyweight champ from 2015 to 2020.

Chuck Liddell says Brendan Langley should turn his crummy situation into potential cash ... telling TMZ Sports he thinks the ex-NFL player should try pro fighting after his wild brawl with an airline employee last week.

The UFC star watched the vid of Langley and a United Airlines worker duking it out while at LAX on Tuesday ... and it wasn't hard to tell, despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the fistfight, the Iceman was impressed with Langley's power.

So much so, Chuck said he believes Langley -- a former Denver Broncos third-round pick -- should seriously consider trying to make a career out of throwing his hands going forward.

"Those fights are doing well," Liddell said of amateurs, viral video stars and celebs getting in the ring. "Turn him into a fighter. Have him fight somebody!"

Liddell says a YouTuber would make sense as a potential opponent for the 27-year-old.

Langley, meanwhile, could be looking for the work ... the Calgary Stampeders announced Tuesday afternoon that they have suspended their wide receiver indefinitely after the fight.

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle just underwent a brutal procedure on Tuesday -- the American Hero had BOTH his knees replaced ... but, luckily, he says everything went off without a hitch!!

The Olympic gold medalist posted a video from the hospital bed minutes ago ... shouting out his fans for their well-wishes and detailing the long road of recovery ahead.

"Thank you all for your prayers and best wishes for my 2 knee replacement surgeries today," Angle said Tuesday. "So far so good."

"I realize rehab is going to be a bitch, but I'm ready for it."

The 53-year-old laughed about his legs feeling numb due to an epidural he received for the procedure ... appearing to be in good spirits.

Of course, the dude's had his fair share of pain over the years -- Angle won a gold medal in wrestling in 1996 with a broken neck and went on to join the then-WWF in 1998, where he would reach iconic heights as a performer.

The technical wrestler made a name for himself all over the wrestling circuit -- fighting for various promotions such as WWF/WWE, ECW, NJPW, and Total Nonstop Action.

In 2017, WWE enshrined the 4-time champion into its Hall of Fame, capping off a remarkable career from one of the greatest wrestlers to step inside the squared circle.