Boxing

It’s Jake Paul’s 28th trip around the sun, and we’re celebrating the YouTuber-turned-boxer's birthday by flexing his physique -- because why not showcase those gains?!

Paul has been livin' and lookin' like a champ since switching to boxing ... and despite the criticism, he’s boasting an impressive 11-1 record.

Of course, the biggest fight of his career so far happened only a few months ago ... when he faced Mike Tyson, one of the greatest boxers ever.

Tommy Fury says his relationship with fellow "Love Island" star Molly-Mae Hague ended because of his excessive drinking, NOT cheating ... claiming all the chatter surrounding their split has been "complete and utter bollocks."

The boxer addressed his highly publicized breakup in an interview with Men's Health UK this week ... and he said even his ex-fiancée herself would confirm his struggles with alcohol torpedoed their engagement.

Tommy's half-brother explained he started reaching for the bottle after he underwent surgery to repair ligaments in his hand ... forcing him out of boxing training for at least 10 months.

Tyson Fury is hangin' up his boxing gloves ... the 34-2 heavyweight superstar announced he's retiring!

The 36-year-old boxer made the big announcement on Monday, weeks after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk ... in a 12-round heavyweight clash in Riyadh.

It was Fury's second loss to Usyk ... representing the only two losses of his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career.

Claressa Shields is raving about the new biopic, "The Fire Inside," chronicling the boxing star's rough-and-tumble upbringing in Michigan ... a "surreal" film "T-Rex" says will positively impact countless people!

"I just believe it's very inspiring," Shields told TMZ Sports. "I've seen my movie now nine times and to see Ryan Destiny portray me as well as she did. I know that 'The Fire Inside' is going to change lives. [Ryan] did such a great job."

The movie, which dropped on Christmas, tells Shields' story as a young female fighter in Flint  -- overcoming challenges such as sexual abuse, abandonment, and poverty -- to the Olympic podium, where she made history as the first American woman to win gold in boxing.

Jamel Herring -- a former junior lightweight boxing champion -- was arrested in Ohio on Thursday night after an alleged violent incident.

The 39-year-old was booked shortly after 6:30 PM, jail records show ... on misdemeanor charges of assault and domestic violence. Bail for each charge ranged from $50K to $75K.

According to an incident report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Herring's wife went to the Mason Police Department on Jan. 8 to speak with officers about an alleged incident that happened four days prior.

A boxing referee turned into a human punching bag on Tuesday ... getting hit in the face multiple times as he tried to break up the action -- but surprisingly, he took it all like a champ!!

It happened at the RIZIN 49: Decade event in Saitama, Japan ... where Rukiya Anpo -- who was originally scheduled to fight Ryan Garcia -- took on K-1 champ Sina Karimian in the bout.

The sixth and final round of the exhibition got intense when Karimian landed an illegal spinning back fist on Anpo ... which sparked an all-out brawl between the two fighters.

Jake Paul poured his heart out for his girlfriend's birthday ... sharing a special shoutout to the Dutch speed skater in an emotional note on social media.

El Gallo posted the tribute to Jutta Leerdam on Monday ... celebrating the stunning athlete and all her accomplishments as she turned 26.

"Another year around the sun," Paul said in the note.

Put the kids to bed before Le'Veon Bell fights former Jake Paul opponent Ryan Bourland ... 'cause the former All-Pro running back turned boxer tells TMZ Sports' fans can expect VIOLENCE!

"I just can't wait. I can't wait," 32-year-old Bell said. "Ryan Bourland is in trouble. He is in damn trouble."

Bell and Bourland are scheduled to box on April 12 in Pittsburgh (where Le'Veon starred as a Steeler -- a fight locale LB's pumped for!) under Damon Feldman's Celebrity Boxing promotion.

Professional boxer Paul Bamba -- who recently became the first fighter to sign with Ne-Yo's management company -- has died, the singer announced Friday. He was just 35 years old.

"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives," Ne-Yo and the Bamba family said in a joint statement.

Bamba held a 19-3 record over the course of his career ... and most recently defeated Rogelio Medina Luna in New Jersey this past Saturday to be named the WBA Gold Cruiserweight world champion.

Jake Paul might be the best brother of all time ... 'cause El Gallo hooked Logan up with an extravagant Christmas present this year -- an Audemars Piguet watch!!

The WWE Superstar shared the kind gesture on his Instagram page this week ... showing off what appears to be a Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph timepiece, which comes with an eye-popping, tens-of-thousands-of-dollar price tag.

The Paul Bros enjoyed their holiday on the lake with all their loved ones ... and the new mom and dad even took a second to do a cold plunge together -- with Logan and Nina wearing nothing but Santa hats and skivvies for the occasion.

Floyd Mayweather is adding yet another jewel to his already impressive real estate portfolio ... TMZ Sports has learned he's entered into an agreement to buy a prominent New York City building for over $20 MILLION.

We're told The Best Ever is snatching up a corner unit on 6th Avenue (and 47th Street) in Manhattan ... a place where he used to go on lavish shopping sprees.

The property, located at 1196 6th Ave., comes with offices, a diamond exchange ... and even a large, income generating billboard.

Le'Veon Bell is so confident in his newfound skills in the boxing ring ... he's ready for a fight with Oleksandr Usyk -- and he tells TMZ Sports he's sure he can beat the heavyweight champ!

Bell called out the 37-year-old just after his impressive win over Tyson Fury on Saturday night -- explaining to us that he truly thinks he can take the belt away from the Ukrainian pugilist.

"If I ever get the opportunity to share the ring with him," the former All-Pro running back said, "that'd be that time where preparation meets opportunity and I'd get to show everybody what the hell I've been working on, bro."

Conor McGregor's return to the UFC Octagon has been put on the backburner ... as the combat sports legend says he's got some other business to handle first -- a boxing exhibition with Logan Paul.

Notorious dropped the bombshell news early Tuesday morning ... denying rumors he's slated to take on featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in Dana White's organization.

Instead, he says he's got his sights set on the WWE Superstar ... and it sounds like they're far along in negotiations, as McGregor claimed he's in "preliminary agreements" with the extremely wealthy Ambani family to take a boxing match with the Maverick in India.

Viral ring girl Sydney Thomas -- who stole the show after her appearance at the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight last month -- clocked in for another shift on Thursday ... throwing on a tiny outfit to work weigh-ins for an upcoming boxing event.

Thomas showed off her blue, sparkly ensemble prior to taking the stage for the Most Valuable Prospects 10 card going down in Orlando ... and she seemed thrilled to return to work.

"back in uniform," Thomas said on Instagram ... while also sharing a snap from the festivities.

Paige VanZant's certainly on the naughty list this year ... dressing up as sexy Santa Claus alongside several other models -- with just the tiniest bikinis covering their bodies.

The OnlyFans star shared several photos ... red holiday hats and lipstick matching their bikinis as they pose by the pool.

The group of ladies spread some holiday cheer while laying out spread-eagle on several beach chairs posing seductively.

Floyd Mayweather's visit to London was derailed by an angry mob of anti-Israel protesters this week ... when the large group confronted the boxing legend outside a jewelry store.

TMZ Sports has obtained footage from the scene ... showing TBE and his Money Team bombarded by a crowd in Hatton Garden.

A rep for Mayweather tells us the confrontation was sparked by his support for Israel ... which has been documented by his many charitable efforts for the Israel Defense Forces and those affected by the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.