Boxing

How good is #5 ranked UFC Lightweight, Islam Makhachev? His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, believes he could be one of the most dominant fighters of all time.

"I think [Islam's] gonna be one of the greatest fights ever. I think he's a better version than Khabib. I truly believe he is. He's not now, but he can be. He's a future world champion, for sure," Ali tells TMZ Sports.

Obviously, Nurmagomedov (literally) NEVER lost ... finishing his legendary career with a 29-0 record. He beat Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Conor McGregor.

If you're not familiar with 30-year-old Makhachev ... he's a beast. Islam's 20-1 ... with his sole defeat coming in his 2nd UFC fight way back in 2015.

Ever since ... he's dominated.

Next on the agenda is #6 ranked Dan Hooker at UFC 267 on October 30 ... a fight Abdelaziz says Hangman can only win with a fluke punch.

"Dan Hooker, great fighter, great guy, he's showing up for a paycheck. The only way he can win is a lucky punch."

Ali says he's personally witnessed Makhachev beat much bigger UFC stars in the gym.

"Let me tell you something, Islam Makhachev, I see him in the gym beating D.C. (Cormier), beating Luke Rockhold, beating some of my guys who's top 5 middleweight. Beating guys in the top 5 at welterweight."

Tommy Fury says it's a wrap for Jake Paul's boxing career -- telling TMZ Sports he's going to knock the YouTuber-turned-fighter into retirement when they face off in the ring.

Fury -- lil' bro of boxing champ Tyson Fury -- finally agreed to be Paul's next opponent last week ... after initially saying the offer wasn't worth getting out of bed for.

We caught up with the 22-year-old earlier this week at LAX and had to ask what made him change his mind ... and he tells us the negotiations started to make sense.

"Things are looking up now between that fight," Fury says, "so hopefully we should get it closed in the next few weeks so we'll see."

Of course, Fury believes he's gonna win this bout -- he's a 7-0 light heavyweight going up against Paul, who's also undefeated, but hasn't gone against an actual boxer.

"This is an easy fight for me. A real easy fight," Fury tells us, "I've been doing this job since I was 7."

"He's not a boxer. He's gonna see that when we fight."

Fury added, "I will end his boxing career. There’s no more Jake Paul after we fight. That’s it."

In fact, Fury believes he's doin' Paul a favor ... 'cause at the end of the day, winning this fight doesn't get him anywhere "in boxing terms."

"Beating Jake Paul doesn't get me a world title shot," Fury says, "It doesn't get me any respect to any of the fighters because everyone knows what the fighters think of him."

"All it is, is a good payday, an easy fight."

"Conor McGregor, a guy who can't even beat guys in the UFC, went 10 rounds with Floyd Mayweather. You have to tell me Kamaru cannot go 12 rounds with Canelo and beat him?"

That's Ali Abdelaziz, Kamaru Usman's manager, telling TMZ Sports he wants to answer the question, who's really the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, by boxing Canelo Alvarez, the best pugilist in the world.

And, he believes his guy can, and will, win.

The 34-year-old welterweight champ is rematching Colby Covington at UFC 268 in November, but after that fight, Ali has his sights set on 31-year-old Alvarez.

"Let's get the pound-for-pound king in boxing vs. the pound-for-pound king in MMA. We're not into this fake fight, gimme fight," Abdelaziz says.

"If you think you're the pound-for-pound king, Kamaru is the pound-for-pound king. Let's have 2 kings fight each other. No takedowns allowed."

FYI, Canelo-- the super middleweight champ -- hasn't lost in 8 years ... since his fight with Floyd Mayweather in 2013.

But, beating Alvarez isn't all Ali has planned ... he says he then wants his fighter to go to 185 lbs. (from 170 lbs.) and fight Israel Adesanya.

"After [Canelo,] I've always said it, I want Kamaru to go up a weight class and fight for Middleweight title. I believe that today Kamaru can go up and be 2 division champion."

It's a tricky fight to make ... Usman and Adesanya have been resistant to even talking about a fight against each other because of their shared connection to Africa. Both men were born in Nigeria.

Deontay Wilder is finally showing respect to Tyson Fury -- the Bronze Bomber is breaking his silence after the incredible heavyweight matchup on Saturday ... thanking and congratulating the Gypsy King on his win.

Of course, Wilder sang a different tune right after the fight ... telling Tyson, "I don't respect you," and refusing to shake hands moments after the KO.

Now, Wilder has had a few days to reflect ... speaking out on Instagram and taking a humble approach to the loss.

"I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t disappointed in the outcome but after reflecting on my journey, I now see that what God wanted me to experience is far greater than what I expected to happen," Wilder said Thursday.

"We didn’t get the win but a wise man once said the victories are within the lessons. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to lose to win."

Wilder added he hopes to be a role model for his fans ... proving no matter what happens, you can get back up and fight again.

Wilder then moved on to Fury, shouting him out for the 11th round TKO.

"Last but not least I would like to congratulate @gypsyking101 for his victory and thank you for the great historical memories that will last forever."

Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury will literally go down as one of the greatest fights ever, according to Mike Tyson, who says both fighters "reached all time great status" on Saturday.

If you watched the fight this weekend, you surely see Tyson's point. The two giant heavyweights went at it from the start, each dropping the other fighter multiple times throughout the fight.

Fury ultimately prevailed ... KO'ing Wilder in the 11th.

"Fury vs Wilder fight will go down as one of greatest," Tyson said on Tuesday via Twitter, "Not for skill but for action and excitement. That fight was all guts, heart & determination," Tyson says.

"Everybody won Saturday night. The fight was bigger than the hype. Both of them reached all time great status."

Tyson doesn't stop there -- he also gives major kudos to Wilder's new coach Malik Scott, who replaced longtime trainer Mark Breland after the February 2020 rematch loss.

"Wilder’s coach Malik Scott won the night with great coaching. When you are an amateur you have a coach, they nurture you, guide you and are with you every step of the way."

"Once you turn pro you get a trainer. A trainer is in your life as long as the checks are coming."

"A coach is with you for the rest of your life. A coach feels every punch you take and give too."

Tyson Fury, 2-time heavyweight champion of the world, undefeated (31-0-1) with wins over Deontay Wilder (twice) and Wladimir Klitschko ... the greatest heavyweight ever?!?

Hell no, according to Oscar De La Hoya ... who, standing with his girlfriend Holly Sonders, tells TMZ Sports the Gypsy King is certainly one of the greatest of this generation -- but not the best ever.

"Of all-time? All-time? So, you're disrespecting Muhammad Ali?" the former 6 weight class world champ fired back at our guy.

FYI, 6'3" Ali finished his legendary career with a 56-5 record ... with wins over George Foreman, Sonny Liston (twice), Joe Frazier (twice), and Ken Norton (twice).

For what it's worth, just minutes later, Ali's grandson, pro fighter Nico Ali Walsh told us Fury was a top 5 heavyweight ... and a bout between TF and his grandpa would be the greatest fight ever.

So, maybe not that crazy of a question.

Even if De La Hoya isn't ready to put Fury above Ali ... he still believes the trilogy fight was incredible.

"I thought it was a beautiful fight. I'm happy that Tyson and the Bronze Bomber gave us an amazing performance," Oscar said.

"I promoted the Bronze Bomber for 40 fights, and he always had a heart. So, I'm glad that they gave us a beautiful fight."

Muhammad Ali vs. Tyson Fury would be the GREATEST FIGHT OF ALL TIME ... period, so says The Greatest's grandson, professional boxer Nico Ali Walsh.

TMZ Sports talked to the 21-year-old, 1-0 boxer ringside following the Fury-Deontay Wilder trilogy fight ... and we asked him how Fury would've fared against his legendary grandfather.

"That would be my favorite fight to watch. That would be the greatest fight of all time. The press conferences would sell out, the weigh-ins would sell out. The fight would sell itself," Ali Walsh said.

Okay, okay ... this obviously is nothing more than a fantasy matchup, a dream fight ... but it's fun to imagine.

Picture Fury and Ali -- 2 of the best talkers the sport has ever seen -- on the mic before the fight. Then, once in the ring ... wow.

We also asked Nico where Fury ranks all-time ... and it's clear how highly the young fighter thinks of the Gypsy King.

"I’ve always said that Tyson Fury is the greatest Heavyweight of my era, and I gotta say that Deontay is number two. And that's what Tyson said. It was an amazing fight tonight."

But, where does Tyson rank all-time?

"I’d put him in the top five heavyweights of all-time. He’s unlike any other heavyweight." Ali Walsh told us.

And, who'd win that fantasy matchup between Fury and Ali?

Well, Nico has an idea ... but even he admits he might not be the most objective her.

"I'm biased, but I'd say my grandfather all the way."

Who's next for Tyson Fury?? Could be Andy Ruiz, if the former heavyweight champion gets his way ... telling TMZ Sports he'd love to fight the Gypsy King next!

We got 32-year-old Ruiz leaving the T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas, right after the epic Deontay Wilder-Fury fight ended, and we asked if he had interest in facing Tyson next.

"Of course. Right now, everybody is eliminating each other. So, I just got off of surgery, but I’ll be back in December, January," Ruiz says.

The Destroyer continued ... "I have other belts but I’m just missing the one and that's the WBC. That’s what we're aiming for."

Fury has clearly stamped himself as the world's top heavyweight.

He beat Wilder -- who many believe is the 2nd best heavyweight alive -- in back-to-back fights.

Anthony Joshua would've without a doubt been the guy to face Fury next ... had he not just lost to Oleksandr Usyk. The men are expected to rematch sometime next year. If Joshua wins, the fight with Fury could be back in play for late next year, or early/mid 2023.

Dillian Whyte and Otto Wallin -- who pushed Fury to the brink in 2019 -- are fighting later this month ... and the winner would be Tyson's mandatory challenger.

As for Ruiz ... he's been recovering from knee surgery. He last fought in May 2021 ... beating Chris Arreola by unanimous decision.

Of course, Andy previously shocked the world, beating Joshua as a huge underdog in June 2019.

If Ruiz and Fury were to fight ... the Gypsy King (6'9") would have a massive size advantage over Andy (6'2").

Lamar Odom might have his next boxing opponent ... 'cause O.T. Genasis tells TMZ Sports he'd consider stepping in the ring with the NBA champ -- if the money's right.

41-year-old Lamar is fresh off whooping J.Lo's ex-hubby, Ojani Noa, in his second-ever Celebrity Boxing bout ... and has already been called out by Benzino.

When we spoke with O.T. at Rajon Rondo's Tacos AF event earlier this week, we had to ask if he would be putting his name on the list of Lamar's future opponents ... and hey, he didn't say no.

In fact, he tells us he's been training privately for years ... and hints he might be too skilled for the hooper.

Genasis wouldn't give us a guarantee on the fight ... but if you can read between the lines, you can tell he's highly confident in the hypothetical bout.

Genasis -- who would be a LOT shorter and lighter than LO -- says he'd take the fight very seriously ... and would need to spend countless hours in the gym in order to be ready to compete.

Adrien Broner was sitting in a jail cell early Sunday morning -- 'cause the guy got picked up by cops in one state ... for being wanted in another.

The boxer was arrested and booked around 1 AM, getting hauled into the Kenton County Jail in Kentucky ... where he posed for this mug shot. The charges he got rung up on upon entry ... fugitive from another state, from which a warrant was required.

No word on the circumstances of how cops stumbled upon Broner to begin with, but they did.

It's unclear exactly what case this warrant stems from -- but it does originate in Cuyahoga County (where Cleveland is) ... and could well be in relation to a lawsuit he lost in that jurisdiction about a year ago, when a woman claimed he'd assaulted her in a nightclub.

That case has been ongoing for quite some time -- and Broner was even tossed into jail late last year after the judge found him to be in contempt for failing to pay an $800k judgment and comply with the rest of his requirements. At the time, he claimed he was broke.

He's had other run-ins with the law since then -- in Ohio as well, no less -- but the assault suit appears to be his only one in Cleveland. Per online court records, Broner has failed to enter a treatment program ... spurring the warrant.

Tyson Fury just knocked out Deontay Wilder in the 11th round ... in what was one of the greatest heavyweight fights of all time! Which, of course, was followed by an epic after-party.

The fight was amazing ... 33-year-old Fury dropped 35-year-old Wilder in the 3rd round. Deontay beat the count ... and despite being on shaky legs, made it through the end of the round.

However, in the 4th ... the Bronze Bomber finally connected with a hard, straight right, sending Fury to the canvas. Tyson got up ... and Wilder pressed the issue, unloading a combination on Fury, again dropping him. The Gypsy King survived.

The middle rounds mostly belonged to Fury ... as Wilder appeared to be the more tired man.

In the 10th, Fury connected with a heavy right that knocked down Deontay. Again, Wilder showing incredible heart, got up ... and actually ended the round with a flurry of punches, pinning Fury into the corner.

In the 11th, with Wilder down on the scorecards, Fury again landed a big right, sending Deontay to the canvas.

The ref didn't count ... immediately stopping the fight.

It was the third time the boxers faced each other in the ring. Their first fight was declared a draw. Fury KO'd Wilder in the rematch. And the third fight again belonged to Fury ... now the #1 heavyweight in the world, without question.

The fight was absolutely electric ... and both men displayed amazing will and determination.

As for the ring walks ... they were also extravagant.

The Las Vegas crowd was star-studded ... with everyone from Magic Johnson, Michael Strahan, Shaquille O'Neal and Vince Vaughn sitting ringside.

Social media was also buzzing ... with stars like LeBron James tweeting about the instant classic.

"HELLUVA FIGHT!!! CLASSIC #FuryWilder3," the NBA superstar said.

After the fight, Fury -- as is tradition for the Gypsy King -- belted out a rendition of "Walking In Memphis" ... remixed for Vegas.

Tyson also said he attempted to bury the hatchet with Wilder ... but claimed Deontay wouldn't shake his hand. Fury said he was going to pray for Wilder.

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury won't be the only stars in the building on fight night Saturday ... TMZ Sports has learned a TON of celebs are hittin' Sin City to take in the boxing match too!!

Actors Vince Vaughn, Michael B. Jordan and Michael J. Fox will have ringside seats at T-Mobile Arena, we're told. NBA ballers Draymond Green and Damian Lillard are set to be in attendance as well.

Rapper Fat Joe, TV star Mario Lopez and chef Wolfgang Puck are expected to be there too, while boxers Shakur Stevenson and Terence Crawford are set to watch their peers duke it out as well.

We're told Raiders owner Mark Davis, rapper Nas and cycling legend Lance Armstrong also couldn't stay away from Vegas, and will be at the fight too.

Of course, all of the guys are expected to see quite the show ... 'cause Fury and Wilder have both been promising a great fight in their third matchup.

Remember, Wilder and Fury fought to a draw back in 2018 ... but Fury demolished the Bronze Bomber in their rematch in Feb. 2020.

Wilder has said he's much improved since that fight, though ... and predicted a knockout within 3 rounds on Saturday.

Fury, meanwhile, laughed off that prediction and promised to inflict pain on Wilder.

IT'S HAPPENING!!!

Tommy Fury is putting an end to his standoff with Jake Paul ... telling the YouTube superstar to send over a fight contract ASAP -- 'cause he's ready to put him on a stretcher!!

Jake and Tommy have been going back and forth for months ... with the latter recently shutting down a $1 million offer, claiming he was being lowballed.

Just when all hope seemed lost, Tommy has finally agreed to Jake's most recent offer ... and while the total dollar amount has not been revealed, it's clear Fury is happy with it.

"Get that sent over to my lawyers ASAP, right now, we'll get that looked at and sorted because there's not a chance in hell you're winning this fight," Fury said Thursday.

"You're leaving on a stretcher. You’re getting knocked spark out and you know it. Get it over to me now."

Respect isn't the only thing in the line here -- Tommy could literally be fighting for his family name as well.

According to the contract Jake posted, Fury would legally have to change his name to "Tommy Fumbles" if he loses ... which is a nod to the nickname Paul and his fanbase have been calling him after he "fumbled the bag" for turning down the $1 million.

If he wins, Tommy would get an extra $500k in his pocket.

No word on when the fight will happen ... but it can't come soon enough.

The agreement comes right after Tommy's superstar brother, Tyson, told TMZ Sports he wanted to see the fight happen pronto ... telling both sides to "grow some balls" and make it happen.

Tyson Fury's sick and tired of the back and forth between his bro, Tommy, and Jake Paul ... telling both fighters to "grow some balls" and fight already!!

There's been a lot of bickering between the two fighters on social media recently ... with Jake publicly offering a $1 million payday (an amount TF claimed was not even worth getting out of bed for).

With negotiations reportedly picking back up again, TMZ Sports asked the Gypsy King himself for his thoughts on Jake vs. Tommy ... and he wants this fight to go down just as bad as the rest of us!!

"The fight is supposed to be happening," Tyson told us this week. "Both guys keep talking about it, so they better step up and show some balls and actually do the fight."

"I'm sick of all the talk about a fight that doesn't happen, so let's get it on! Let these 2 go to war. Put on a show for the fans. Everybody wants to see it!"

Tyson -- who has his own highly-anticipated trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder on Saturday -- gives props to the Problem Child's success so far in the boxing world ... applauding his undefeated record.

So ... if both guys sign on the dotted line, is Tyson gonna show up??

Deontay Wilder tells TMZ Sports he's gonna knock Tyson Fury's ass out in 3 rounds or less when the 2 gigantic heavyweights square off Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Fury's response??

"Ya little b***h. Turn up and fight. Get me knocked out in 3 rounds ya little p***y. How about that for a message?"

👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

Yeaaaa, if you needed another reason to watch the 2 best heavyweights in the world beat the hell out of each other ... ya got one, because the Wilder and Fury trash talk has turned personal.

We asked Wilder for a prediction ... and if the 35-year former heavyweight champ is right, Saturday looks like it'll be a short workday for the Bronzer Bomber.

"Leave it up to my trainers, they believe 5 and under," Wilder said, "I'm gonna go with 3, lesser than 3."

"Ya know when people come to see heavyweights, that's what they wanna see. They don't wanna see no 12-round fight."

33-year-old Fury, as you might expect, disagrees with Deontay's prediction ... and did a little prognostication of his own.

"Prediction? yeah, pain! Pain! A lot of pain!"

Of course, this'll be the third time DW and TF have scrapped. The first fight in 2018 was ruled a draw. Fury won the second fight in 2020 by TKO in the 7th round.

2020 costume controversy be damned ... Deontay Wilder is still planning to wear a unique walkup 'fit for his trilogy fight with Tyson Fury, but TMZ Sports has learned it'll be "significantly lighter" this time around.

Wilder had -- at least partially -- blamed his extravagant pre-fight wardrobe for his last loss to Fury in Feb. 2020 ... saying the weight of his battery-powered laser attire affected his legs.

But, Wilder ain't quitting on the costume idea just because of that ... so say designers Cosmo and Donato, who tell us The Bronze Bomber already has a new, extravagant look ready to go for the fight this weekend.

C&D -- who created the 2020 piece and others for Wilder -- say they've designed a cool, yet "significantly lighter," outfit for the Oct. 9 tilt ... and promise there will be no issues whatsoever surrounding this one.

"It's going to be significantly lighter," Cosmo said, "So, we don't have any drama at all."

C&D tell us Deontay has already tried on the costume -- modeling it in their store two weeks ago -- and the fighter has made sure it'll have no effect on his ability to punch Fury on Saturday night.

"He looks so amazing," Cosmo tells us. "He was so happy ... The outfit fits perfectly and he's ready to slay!"

C&D wouldn't reveal the whole costume to us ... but they did say it took 3 weeks to make, and features a special red and black theme.

"It's red and black from the Nigerian tribe," Cosmo says. "The red means funeral -- it's going to be Tyson Fury's funeral the next fight."