Boxing

Internet star Deestroying got deestroyed in the boxing ring this week ... and it was all at the hands of Jake Paul!!

The 26-year-old former football player -- who has millions of followers on social media -- bravely went up against the 6-0 pugilist in a sparring session in Puerto Rico ... and the Problem Child made easy work of his buddy.

In the short clip, Jake lays it on Dee with two hard body shots ... which force him to lie down on the canvas before Paul could even break a sweat.

"Boxed Jake Paul today," Dee -- real name Donald De La Haye -- said on IG. "Safe to say that MF got hands."

"You're crazy bruh 😂🤣" Jake added.

Of course, the REAL opponent Jake wants to face off against in the ring is Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett ... who is fresh off a controversial win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282.

Jake has offered Paddy $1 million to fly to P.R. for a sparring session on Jan. 5 ... but as of right now, it's unclear if the UFC star will take him up on it.

Floyd Mayweather is in the giving mood this holiday season -- hooking up his closest friends (and himself) -- with over a million dollars worth of bling from famed jeweler, Johnny Dang!

TMZ Sports is told 50-0 Mayweather hit up the Houston-based grill king -- one of the most popular jewelers amongst celebs and athletes -- and commissioned two giant "TMT" pendants and chains.

But, that's not all Floyd bought. Not even close.

We're also told he copped 50 chains, each costing $25K, to give to his closest family and friends. One of the pieces went to Deon Taylor, producer of Floyd's upcoming docuseries, "The G.O.A.T.," who he surprised with the jewelry.

Speaking of the doc, Mayweather also ordered 100 customized "GOAT" jackets ... again, for some of his closest people.

This particular jacket was given to Money's good friend, Jona Rechnitz, and features two Stars of David on the right sleeve. Fellow doc producer James McNair also received a jacket.

Of course, Mayweather is one of, if not the highest-earning athlete over the last decade. For 30 minutes of ring time with Conor McGregor, Floyd reportedly raked in around $300 million.

Floyd Mayweather isn't waiting until Dec. 25 to put on his Santa hat -- the legendary boxer gave a group of 5 kids $1,000 each as a Christmas present after the Clippers game!!

TMZ Sports is told ... Mayweather met with the kids following the Clippers' 113-93 victory over the Celtics at Crypto.com Arena on Monday ... and made their day unforgettable by surprising them with some holiday cash.

The video is really adorable -- the kids were ecstatic that Mayweather, who they refer to as "Uncle Floyd," chose to hook them up with the dough ... adding that "TBE" always looks out for them when they run into each other.

"You always help us out when we see you," one kid said ... as another added, "We love you, Floyd."

Of course, these are the same youngins who Floyd sent to the Clippers game against the Pelicans in October ... holding up on his promise that he'd give them the amazing experience on his dime -- after spotting them selling candy outside the Ritz-Carlton in LA.

Floyd also got some facetime with Celtics star Jaylen Brown while hanging in Crypto on Monday night - but the kids' reaction to his generosity was the best part of the night.

Legendary boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer says he's heartbroken over the passing of Mills Lane ... telling TMZ Sports the fight ref was "one of the all-time greats."

Lane passed away on Tuesday morning ... after he had been in hospice. His son, Tommy Lane, told the Reno Gazette Journal that Mills had taken "a significant decline in his overall situation" recently and died while surrounded by his family.

Just days after his passing, Buffer remembered Mills as a solid dude who he'd miss.

"I worked with him many times," Buffer said at LAX. "For me, I always just loved the way he would say, 'Let's get it on!' through the instructions in the middle of the ring."

"He was a great guy."

Buffer also told us he enjoyed Mills on his court show, "Judge Mills Lane."

"One of the all-time greats, without a doubt," Buffer said. "Popular, and knew what he was doing."

Mills reffed for decades, and worked alongside Buffer at popular fights for years in the '90s.

He gained national fame for the way he reffed the infamous Mike Tyson vs. Evan Holyfield ear-biting fight in 1997. He later starred on MTV's popular "Celebrity Deathmatch" show.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship star Luis Palomino has an idea for his next opponent ... Hall of Fame boxer Floyd Mayweather.

TMZ Sports spoke with the former MMA fighter ... who tells us he's tired of BKFC guys seemingly ducking him -- and his sights are now set on boxing the 50-0 legend.

"I've called out several names in the BKFC and crickets," Palomino said. "I called out Chad Mendes in three consecutive fights when they signed him, and I heard nothing."

"I'm looking for the big money fight," Luis continued. "My biggest one that I have in mind, and I think it makes perfect sense, will be Mayweather."

Luis tells us it would be a great business move if the two men -- considered the greatest in their respective sports -- collided, adding he's willing to fight Floyd in "his world."

"I'll put the gloves on," Luis said. "And I will represent Bare Knuckle, boxing with the gloves on, but I'm representing the dark side. I like to call it the dark side."

Luis respects Mayweather's legacy -- but says it's time for the former champ to fight someone who can legitimately hold their own against him inside the ring.

"The last [fight] that he did, he's having fun in there, but there's no type of competition," Luis said. "I know that being the champion he is, he still needs that."

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship star Tai Emery is giving fans two big reasons to check out her fight ... telling TMZ Sports she might show her boobs in the ring again -- even if it means she gets fined!!

Emery -- whose OnlyFans page exploded in popularity when she went viral for flashing the crowd following her impressive BKFC debut -- spoke with TMZ Sports ahead of her next fight against Po Denman in Thailand ... and she says there's a chance she frees the nipple again on Saturday.

"If there's gonna be salute of t***ies back to me, guess what, guys -- you will just enable me to just flash even more," she says.

Emery, who charges $10 a month for fans to access her content, saw a 6,150% increase in revenue after pulling the stunt the first time ... but claims she was told she will be punished if it happens in Thailand.

"I will be in trouble," Emery said. "I will be fined. The last I heard was half a million to a million baht (Thailand currency), so I don't know what that conversion is in U.S. dollars, but yeah, I have 100% been warned and told it's a no-no."

FYI -- 500,000 baht equals about $14,405 ... so it's nothing to scoff at. But, Emery says she ain't making any promises.

"It's fine, but I can't control myself in moments like that. Everything else just takes over."

Despite the newfound attention, Emery, who has a modeling background, says she's always going to be herself ... and is focused on the task at hand, defeating Denman.

"This is something anyone's career has been building to ... and I really truly believe my personality and my talents and athleticism," Tai said, "like this is the fit for me."

Floyd Mayweather pulled off the ultimate feint ... the boxing legend took friend, businessman Robert Smith to look at property -- at least, that's where the billionaire investor thought they were going -- but in reality, the 50-0 legend delivered Smith to his surprise 60th birthday party!

"When Robert walked into his house he was shocked to see us all there. He was really surprised and had no clue that his family threw him a surprise party," Mayweather tells TMZ Sports.

And, the Palm Beach, FL party was awesome ... the theme was James Bond: 0060, to commemorate Smith -- who Forbes estimates is worth around $8 billion -- for turning 60 years old earlier this month.

Everything from the decorations to the cake was Bond-themed!

Robert is a big collector of Bond writer Ian Fleming first editions ... hence the theme.

We're told only 60 of Robert's closing family and friends were in attendance ... and cell phones were taken at the door.

All the Internet superstars who think they got hands need to get in line ... 'cause ex-NFL star Adam "Pacman" Jones says he's down to fight "any YouTuber" after his Rough N' Rowdy match on Friday!!

The former All-Pro has taken his talents to the boxing ring after 12 seasons in the league ... and he tells TMZ Sports he's looking to stick with the sport for years to come.

Of course, he's got a big rematch with the undefeated Bobby Laing at Barstool Sports' amateur event in Providence ... and Pacman says if he comes away with the win, he'll give "Lights Out" a trilogy fight out of respect for the guy.

But, don't get it twisted -- Jones won't let the admiration get in the way once the bell rings ... as he plans to make up for his split decision loss back in August 2021 by correcting his mistakes this time around.

"My message to Bobby, you've been ducking me like a motherf***er," Jones said. "I'm coming to turn the lights out."

But, after Pacman's done with Laing, he says he wants to get into more fights ... and he's looking to take on anyone who wants the smoke.

"I love this celebrity boxing," Jones tells us. "It's a lot of celebrities that think they can box -- I'm one of them. I would like someone to call me out. I ain't hard to find. I think I'm pretty good."

Jones has called out ex-NFL guys like Steve Smith and Chad Ochocinco in the past ... but as of right now, it doesn't sound like either guy is willing to enter the ring with him.

When we brought up the surge in influencers getting into boxers, Jones made it clear he's down for any challenge.

"Any YouTuber you name, I'll take him."

Barstool personality Grace "The Mick" O'Malley is also on Friday's RNR card ... and she talked to us about giving up drinking alcohol for five weeks leading up to her bout with the "Cajun Punisher," as well as the grueling training she went through to prepare for her debut.

As for her prediction for Friday ... O'Malley is expecting her hand raised at the end of the bout.

"It's a definite dub. It's gonna be a dub, it's going to be a good fight, though," O'Malley said.

Tekashi 6ix9ine has been spending a ton of time in the boxing gym recently ... but those looking to see him settle his many beefs in the ring are SOL -- 'cause TMZ Sports is told the rapper is NOT interested in taking a celebrity fight.

The New York rapper hit up the Black Box Gym in Dubai earlier this week ... getting in a workout with 17-3 Iranian boxer Mohammad Ali Bayat Farid.

You can see the 26-year-old look throwing a couple of right hooks at Farid's mitts and working some defensive moves ... all while wearing Crocs.

Despite Tekashi's effort to improve his skills, it's not for any particular reason aside from staying in shape -- even though one would think he could be gearing up for a bout after his recent brawl with DJ Lucasdirty in Dubai.

Tekashi tells us he has "nothing brewing in the boxing world" ... and he's just doing his best to keep off the pounds.

A few years back, Tekashi felt some type of way about being fat-shamed online and vowed to make a change.

"I've been gaining a lot of weight and a lot of people have been calling me fat," Tekashi said in 2018. "They're drawing pictures of me. Instead of drawing me like the regular Tekashi, they're drawing me like fat Tekashi."

"I've been making a lot of money and haven't been caring about my physical appearance. So I want my fans to, like, join me."

Floyd Mayweather's spending spree didn't stop at Art Basel in Miami ... we're told the boxing legend just dropped $330K on an insane 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S!

TMZ Sports has learned Floyd hit up his longtime car guy Obi Okeke -- aka "Doctor Bugatti" -- telling him he needed a car to get around while in town ... and the Dr. delivered!

Okeke tells us Floyd wired him the money while the two were on the phone ... and even said he was interested in another sports car.

Floyd's new 640 horsepower Porsche, sometimes referred to as the "Ferrari Killer," does 0-60 MPH in 2.6 seconds. The whip has a top speed of 205 MPH!

The Porsche is just the latest addition to Mayweather's epic car collection ... which includes everything from Rolls Royces to a Koenigsegg.

Floyd is no stranger to big purchases ... TBE spent $3.1 million in about 60 minutes on expensive pieces of art at the SCOPE Art Show in Miami.

The next day, Mayweather went back and dropped an additional $1.7 million at the famed art festival ... leaving with 4 Andy Warhol pieces and a large sculpture of burned money.

Legendary boxing ref Mills Lane -- perhaps best known for his portrayal in MTV's iconic "Celebrity Deathmatch" show -- has sadly died, his son announced.

He was 85 years old.

Tommy Lane told the Reno Gazette Journal Mills passed away on Tuesday morning in Nevada ... after being in hospice the past few days.

"He took a significant decline in his overall situation," Tommy said of his dad to the outlet. "It was a quick departure. He was comfortable and he was surrounded by his family."

Mills began boxing in his 20s while in the Marines, and quickly stacked up an impressive resume -- ultimately logging a 10-1 record as a pro. He later became a ref in the sport.

It was in 1997, though, that he gained national fame ... while reffing the infamous Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield ear-biting bout.

After Iron Mike had taken chunks of Holyfield's ear, it was Mills who ultimately DQ'ed the former champ. Mills then eventually retired from reffing in 1998.

Mills went on to host his own court show, "Judge Mills Lane" ... as well as being featured in "Celebrity Deathmatch."

In the MTV production, an animated clay version of Mills started every bout by screaming, "Let's Get It On!" The show gained a huge following for its gory representation of celebrity fights.

Mills eventually left the show in 2002 after suffering a stroke, being replaced by Chris Edgerly in the 2006 reboot.

During his lifetime, Mills -- who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013 -- also worked as a prosecutor, a district attorney and a real-life judge.

Biaggio Ali Walsh was nothing short of dominant in his PFL debut ... though, the rising MMA star isn't really surprised, because he believes he was born to fight!

"I truly believe that I was born to do this. I believe that me and my brother [Nico] both were destined to be in combat sports. Regardless of who our grandfather is or not, I feel like we were born to fight. I do want to do this. I'm all in," the 24-year-old told Babcock when he joined the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs nightly on FS1).

If you missed it -- possible if you blinked -- Biaggo pummeled fellow amateur fighter, Tom Graesser, during the Professional Fighters League Season Championship event on Friday ... taking just 45 seconds to KO his opponent.

Graesser was Ali Walsh's first fight with the promotion (and his 3rd overall). Biaggio knows he's fairly new to the sport, but wholeheartedly believes he's going to be champion.

"I do see myself having the belt and holding a million-dollar check sometime in my career. I don't know how I'll get there or when it'll happen. I just know that at some point in my life, I'm going to have that belt around my waist, and I'm going to hold that check."

Speaking of grandpa, we asked Ali Walsh how Muhammad Ali would've felt watching his grandson fight (and at Madison Square Garden, where Ali fought in several historic events).

"He would have told me he was proud of me. He acknowledges the fact that me and my brother have to deal with the pressure of who he was and what he stood for. He would just say he's proud of me and that would mean the world and I know he's watching and I know he is proud of me, so I'm happy for that."

As for when he'll fight again, Biaggio says he's already back in the gym in Las Vegas, training for his next fight.

Floyd Mayweather was in the mood to shop ... so the 50-0 boxing superstar just spent $3.1 MILLION in about 60 minutes, taking about a dozen fancy/expensive pieces of art off the wall at the SCOPE Art Show in Miami, sources tell TMZ Sports.

Mayweather, along with billionaire Robert Smith, an investor in Floyd’s "The GOAT" docuseries, and friends Jona Rechnitz, James McNair and Jas Mathur linked up for a shopping spree. They're in south Florida for Art Basel.

It's unclear exactly what Floyd purchased ... but we're told it was between 10 and 12 pieces, totaling around $3.1 million.

Of course, Art Basel routinely draws some of the biggest celebrities and athletes in the world. In fact, on Tuesday, stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Martha Stewart, Amar'e Stoudemire and Sylvester Stallone, in addition to TBE, were in the building.

But, there's a good chance none spent more than Floyd.

And, it doesn't sound like he's done just yet ... we're told Mayweather's set to attend another show tomorrow -- and don't be surprised if he makes another big purchase.

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Canelo Alvarez is apologizing to Lionel Messi and the people of Argentina after threatening to kick the soccer superstar's ass ... saying he's learned from the mistake.

"These last few days I got carried away by the passion and love I feel for my country and made comments that were out of place for which I want to apologize to Messi and the people of Argentina," the boxing champ said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Every day we learn something new and this time it was my turn."

Canelo unleashed on Messi following Argentina's win over Mexico on Sunday ... accusing the striker of disrespecting his home country's jersey in the locker room.

"He better pray to God that I don't find him!!" Canelo said on Twitter at the time. "Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico!"

Despite fans' attempts to explain the apparent misunderstanding to Canelo -- including a message from Messi's own teammate, Sergio Aguero -- the boxer refused to change his stance until Wednesday.

Jake Paul heard what Paddy Pimblett told TMZ Sports loud and clear ... 'cause the Problem Child is now sending a new sparring offer to The Baddy -- proposing a January 5 boxing session in Puerto Rico.

The two fighters have been jawing back and forth ever since Paddy claimed the Paul vs. Anderson Silva bout was fake ... with Jake offering $1 million if the UFC star could beat him in a 5-round sparring exhibition. If Paddy were to lose, he'd have to help sign all the fighters from the U.K. in Paul's United Fighters Association.

The only issue -- Paddy is slated to fight in Las Vegas next weekend ... and he told us if Jake REALLY wanted the smoke, he could meet him in Sin City after he's done with Jared Gordon at UFC 282.

Paul is now putting a fresh offer on the table ... and while he isn't budging on the location, he is giving Paddy plenty of time to rest up after his Gordon fight before flying to Puerto Rico for the $1 million session.

"Fella my team told me you have been trying to book me for ur podcast, Jan 5th," Paul said minutes ago. "So I'm sending you a jet to bring you to Puerto Rico."

"Both of our teams will film. We spar, 5 rounds and then we can do your podcast. By then you will be back to your normal weight. No excuses. 🤝?"

Paddy -- who actually thinks the YouTube superstar is a solid fighter -- has yet to respond to Paul's counter ... but told us Tuesday he is 100% down to box.

UFC star Paddy The Baddy" Pimblett is responding to Jake Paul's $1 million sparring challenge ... telling us he's 100% down to box the Problem Child this week in Las Vegas!

The 27-year-old UFC star joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weekdays on FS1) ... where he was asked about 25-year-old Paul's offer to spar, and whether he's truly interested.

"Of course [I'm interested], but I'm under contract by the UFC and [Jake] said this knowing full well I'm fighting next week, know what I mean?" Paddy said.

"As if he does not know I'm fighting next week and he's like, 'I'll fly you to Puerto Rico.' Come to the PI next week. Come to the [UFC Performance Institute] next week and bring $1 million in a bag and I will spar with you."

"I'm in the PI in Vegas on Thursday, I land on Thursday, so even though I'm low on calories and I'm only about 170, he likes picking on smaller people anyway," he added. "But, if he wants to wait until after my fight, until the Monday, because I'm still in Vegas 'til the Tuesday, but I'm about 185, 190 pounds, I'm game!"

"Tell him not to worry, he can come to PI and we can get in the cage. Simple as."

If you haven't seen it yet, Jake posted video to his social media pages Tuesday throwing down the gauntlet ... offering Pimblett a mil if he could beat him in a sparring session. If Paul wins, he wants Paddy to commit to joining his United Fighters Association (UFA).

"I have a proposition for you. Since you wouldn't rig a fight, right? Let's spar. Fly to Puerto Rico. I'll get you a private jet. We can do 5, 3-minute rounds, boxing. If you win, I'll give you a million dollars," Jake said.

"But, if I win you have to join the United Fighters Association and help me sign up all the fighters in the UK. Let's spar. Since you wouldn't rig a fight. A million for you. Put your money where your mouth is. Let's go."

As Paddy said, he can't be in Puerto Rico next week because he's the co-main event at UFC 282 on December 10 (he's fighting Jared Gordon) at the T-Mobile Arena. But, he's down to spar in Sin City.

Despite the trash talk coming from both guys, Pimblett was somewhat complimentary of Jake's abilities in the ring (6-0, 5 KOs).

"I don't even think he's a bad boxer. I think he's a decent boxer now 'cause all he's done is boxing in the past two years. I think he'd beat Tommy Fury. I know he wouldn't beat me."

Paddy also sent a message to Jake ... in the event they were to set a real bout, and not just spar.