Russell Westbrook, John Wall Exchange Heated Trash Talk First Game Since Trade

Russell Westbrook and John Wall went IN on each other in their first matchup since their blockbuster trade this offseason ... with the two stars getting T'ed up after a fuming trash talk sesh Tuesday night.

Emotions were certainly running high at the Toyota Center in Houston ... with Wall and Russ getting into a heated exchange after the Rockets guard fouled the former MVP late in the 4th quarter.

Both guys started jawing at each other -- and the refs were having none if it ... choosing to hit both superstars with technical fouls.

Brodie addressed the trash talk with reporters after the 107-88 loss to the Rockets ... saying, "Listen, I don't start talking s***. I defend myself 'cause I don't allow people to just say anything."

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I KNOW THE FACTS
Washington Wizards

Unclear exactly what was said, but Westbrook felt Wall went after him because the Rockets have been in a groove -- "I think they're just talking s*** 'cause they just started winning. We will play them again."

As for Wall, he chalked it up to just being competitive and wanting to prove he can still play to the organization that traded him.

"That's what two competitive guys do." the former Wizard said. "Russ been kicking my ass for years. This is only my 3rd win against Russ, I think, since I've been in the league. So, that means that he's a hell of a talent."

He added ... "I just feel like the organization thought I was done, no matter how much hard work I put in over the summer. They came and watched me. I thought they thought I was done. That's why I came out here and did what I did."

Rockets big man DeMarcus Cousins -- who’s very familiar with on-court exchanges -- felt it wasn't a big deal at all.

"That’s nothing. Just two competitors. Trash talking is a part of the game, as much as they don’t want it to be. Two alphas."

The Rockets and Wizards play again on Feb. 15 -- so circle your calendars and getcha popcorn ready!

Phil Collins' Ex Auctioning Off His Stuff for Cheap .... Gold LPs Starting at $100!!!

Phil Collins and his ex have not had a groovy kind of breakup, and it seems she don't care anymore ... because she's damn near giving away his awards and gold records.

Orianne Cevey has put multiple gold LPs and "Assorted Phil Collins Awards" on the auction block in the latest bitter development in their legal war ... which has already seen Phil evict her from his Miami Beach mansion.

Now that Cevey's moved out, she's unloading items that no longer "spark joy" in a Marie Kondo-esque move ... and those items include a gold record of Robert Plant’s "The Principle of Moments," which Phil got because his label, Es Paranza, released it.

There's another Gold LP Award for the Plant album, "Pictures at Eleven" -- on which Collins played drums -- and all the records have an opening bid price of $100. According to the auction site, Kodner, which was first reported by Page Six, 10 percent of the proceeds will go to the Never Give Up Foundation.

If this seems like a super bitter ex move ... Cevey's rep says it's just downsizing. Orianne's moving to a smaller home, and is also getting rid of some of her clothing and jewelry. Not sure that'll make Phil feel better, but we're pretty sure she's not thinking about that.

As we've told you ... things went south for Phil and Orianne near the end of 2020, when he decided to kick her out of his house after she allegedly secretly remarried another guy in Vegas in August.

She later claimed he promised her 50/50 ownership -- while also accusing him of living like a hermit and having poor hygiene -- but he accused her of lying to try to extort him.

Despite all that, she's moved out now ... with less stuff of his to remind her of their time together.

Floyd Mayweather Unloads On Conor McGregor 'Con Artist McLoser' Lost In His Own Sport!!!

The hits keep on coming for Conor McGregor -- this time, it's Floyd Mayweather trashing his old boxing opponent ... "Con Artist McLoser."

In fact, Floyd says the positive way Conor continues to be treated by the public even after multiple losses -- while Mayweather still gets constant hate -- is proof racism is still alive and well.

"The world knows Con Artist McLoser can steal everything from me and be loved but I’m hated," Mayweather posted on IG after Conor got knocked out by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.

"That just lets you all know that racism still exist."

Remember, Floyd beat up Conor in their 2017 boxing match -- dominating from start to finish ... with the ref stopping the fight in the 10th round.

Then Floyd really dug and unloaded on Conor ... suggesting Conor also ruined his shot at a high-profile boxing match with Manny Pacquiao.

"Just know, that bum will never be me or be on my level. I’m just built different, my mindset is on another planet, my skills are second to none, I’m a natural born winner and yes I talk a lot of trash, but every time I back it up!"

"This is what they hate. It’s sad that you can be a poor black kid from the ghetto that has dealt with racism your whole life and work extremely hard to put yourself and your family in a better position, and most of the hate come from my own people."

"Connor [sic] cannot even win in his own sport, but talking about coming back to boxing to fight Pacquiao. Nobody wants to see that, it's like my leftovers eating leftovers."

So, what now for Conor? He's gunning for a rematch with Dustin Poirier ... and Khabib Nurmagomedov ... and also Floyd.

Will anyone actually give him the opportunity?!

Rosie O'Donnell D.C. Rioters Should Do Time ... I'm Praying Trump Does Too!!!

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TERRIFYIN' TIMES
@LionsShareNews

Rosie O'Donnell is just days away from being able to declare victory over her longtime nemesis, President Trump, and says the cherry on top would be him standing trial and going to prison.

Rosie was at LAX Monday when she opened up about how she's feeling as Trump's final days in office wind down. Not shockingly, she's thrilled to see him go, but still wants justice for the events of January 6.

She believes Capitol rioters should be punished to the full extent of the law for sedition ... and insists people who compare Jan. 6 to Black Lives Matter protests are way off base. Rosie's also pretty adamant Trump's a shameless criminal -- she hurled an allegation to that effect while discussing the stack of pardons he's about to sign.

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I JUST REALLY DON'T LIKE HER
FOX News

Remember, they were enemies for a decade before he entered politics, but Trump infamously took a shot at Rosie during a 2015 Republican debate. He also claimed no one feels sorry for Rosie during a later debate with Hillary Clinton.

Considering how Trump's presidency is ending, no one would be shocked to see Rosie spike the football on him -- but watch, she's patiently waiting for the next shoe to drop. On January 21 ... in a court of law.

Logan Paul Claps Back At Jake's 'Fake Fighter' Jab ... 'Let's Box!!!'

If Jake Paul wants to run his mouth and call his older brother a "fake fighter" ... Logan has a simple solution -- "Let's box!!!"

Remember, Jake recently gave his thoughts to TMZ Sports about Logan's upcoming exhibition against Floyd Mayweather ... saying "It's bad for the sport. I think it's just for clout."

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GOOD LUCK BRO
TMZSports.com

Logan is finally reacting to his lil' bro's comments ... and while he mostly takes the high road, he also makes it clear he'll put Jake in his place in the ring.

"I fully support Jake," Paul says. "Whatever drama he wants to stir or create, it really doesn’t bother me. Like, 'Oh, you’re a fake boxer.' Okay. Let’s box, because Jake is the kid that gets beat up by my sparring partners. That's that kid."

Logan admits Jake may have said the comments just to raise hell and get attention ... but either way, he's unaffected by the criticism he's received leading up to the fight against TBE -- even if it's coming from his own brother.

"I've become like rubber sheet metal, dude. In this fight, everyone’s saying a lot of things. And, for good reason. I’m fighting Floyd f**king Mayweather. So I’ve literally become immune to [everything], I’ve heard it all."

One of the biggest critics has been superstar Canelo Alvarez, who told us it was a "lack of respect" for pros to go up against YouTubers in the ring.

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THEY HAVE NO RESPECT
TMZSports.com

While Logan and Jake have kicked around the idea of fighting each other in the past, the most recent comments may bring us one step closer to what people have wanted for years -- Paul vs. Paul.

President Trump Public Nod to Romney 'Traitor' Chant ... How'd You Like That, Mitt?!?

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GOIN' AFTER MITT
UPDATE

9:29 AM PT -- President Trump just seemed to back his supporters going after Mitt on his flight to D.C., publicly acknowledging it must've been unpleasant ... while piling on with more ridicule.

UPDATE

DT brought the Senator up by name Wednesday at a rally protesting the results of the election -- plus, the certification process that's about to go down in Congress shortly -- and jokingly wondered if the man "enjoyed his flight in." Seems 45 saw these clips as well.

UPDATE
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C'MON' MITT!!!
C-SPAN
UPDATE

He then tore into MR, mocking the way he accepted the election results in 2012 against Barack Obama ... and going on to say that he, Trump, wasn't going to take the loss sitting down. His jabs got some laughs out of the crowd ... maybe even from some of those same folks who did the cabin chanting!

Mitt Romney endured a mighty long 4-hour plane ride to our nation's capital, because he was basically flying Air Trump -- a loud group of Trump supporters calling him a "traitor" to his face.

The Utah's GOP Senator got on a flight Tuesday headed for D.C., where he was confronted by backers of the Prez who asked him if he planned to stand against certifying the 2020 Election results ... something a handful of other Republicans vowed to do Wednesday.

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"YOU WORK FOR US!"
Newsflare

Mitt stands firm ... telling them no, flat-out -- and explaining he's going to follow the process laid out by the Constitution. They basically threatened to vote him out in a future primary, but ya gotta see how the Senator handled it. Pretty cool customer.

However, the real chaos started inside the cabin of the aircraft -- it appears there were at least 2 different times while Mitt was in his seat that several other passengers literally jeered at him, chanting "TRAITOR!" over and over and over again.

Of course, it's no surprise Senator Romney's taking heat -- but it's different seeing it play out in public like this, especially from his own constituents. He's long spoken out against Trump, especially lately as it pertains to trying to contest the election without rock-solid evidence.

At least we know the guy's consistent 🤷🏽‍♂️

Originally Published -- 7:45 AM PT

Serena Williams' Husband Rips 'Racist/Sexist Clown' Billionaire ... Over Criticism

Serena Williams' husband is clapping back HARD at a billionaire who criticized the tennis legend ... with Alexis Ohanian calling the guy a straight-up "racist/sexist clown."

Here's the backstory ... Ion Tiriac -- the super-rich ex-tennis star who's the director of the Madrid Open -- went on a Romanian television show recently and jabbed at Serena.

"At this age and the weight she is now, she does not move as easily as she did 15 years ago," Tiriac said, according to ProSport in Romania.

"Serena was a sensational player. If she had a little decency, she would retire! From all points of view."

FYI, Tiriac has quarreled with Serena in the past ... he's criticized Williams' weight while pining that the sport needs to shine a spotlight on players outside of her. Williams, meanwhile, called those comments in 2018 both "ignorant" and "sexist."

This time, however, it was Williams' husband who fired back at Tiriac ... and the co-founder of Reddit didn't pull punches.

37-year-old Ohanian went after Tiriac on social media ... blasting the 81-year-old in a series of tweets.

"Safe to say no one gives a damn what Ion Țiriac thinks," Ohanian wrote. "Had to Google it... turns out my 3 year old has more Grand Slam victories than this [clown]."

Ohanian added, "2021 and no holding back when a racist/sexist clown with a platform comes for my family."

For her part, 39-year-old Williams has yet to publicly comment on the matter.

Eminem I'm Really Sorry Rihanna ... No Memory of Recording 'Stupid' Old Diss

Eminem already apologized to Rihanna for an old leaked diss by saying sorry on his new track, "Zeus" ... but he's going the extra mile to show just how sorry he is.

Shady opened up about the leaked snippet of "Things Get Worse" during a SiriusXM interview Monday, saying he doesn't have any recollection of recording the verse in which he raps that he sides with Chris Brown ... this shortly after CB assaulted Rihanna in 2009.

Em's controversial verse -- "I'm not playing, Rihanna, where'd you get the VD at?/ Let me add my two cents/ Of course I side with Chris Brown/ I'd beat a b***** down too/ If she gave my d*** an itch now." He scrapped it from the final version of his 2019 collab with B.o.B.

The rapper says he told his manager after the leak that he had no idea how someone got it, but also claims ... "I have zero recollection of even remembering doing that verse." Eminem added ... "The rhyme scheme doesn't even sound, like, familiar to me. So I was caught off guard, too. I was like, 'What the f***?! I said that?'"

Shady says it's no excuse, and calls it "f***ing stupid" of him to record the verse, but claims at the time he was re-learning how to rap due to his addiction issues. He says he believes he just went with it because it rhymed ... but adds he should have thought better of it.

On "Zeus," Eminem addresses Rihanna directly with the lyrics ... "And wholeheartedly, apologies, Rihanna/ For that song that leaked, I'm sorry, Ri/ It wasn't meant to cause you grief."

Sounds like he's set on making amends ... but it's still unclear if the same goes for his brewing beef with Snoop Dogg.

Donald Trump Jr. Miffed Over 'Amen & Awoman' Prayer ... Congressman Claps Back

UPDATE

1:14 PM PT -- Rep. Cleaver says he's disappointed his prayer has been "misinterpreted and misconstrued" by people like Trump Jr. to "fit a narrative that stokes resentment and greater division among portions of our population."

UPDATE

The Congressman calls his "amen and awoman" line a "light-hearted pun," and says it was "in recognition of the record number of women who will be representing the American people in Congress during this term as well as in recognition of the first female Chaplain of the House of Representatives."

UPDATE

Rep. Cleaver accuses those who criticized his pun of twisting his message and demeaning him, so he claims for his next prayer he will ask God for "strength to overcome these terrifyingly tribal times, and the courage to come together in an effort to heal the nation."

Donald Trump Jr. thinks it's "insane" the opening prayer for the new Congress ended with an "amen" AND an "awoman" -- but he's blaming the apparent case of wokeness gone too far on Democrats, in general.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver raised some eyebrows by ending his invocation Sunday for the 117th Congress with the gender-inclusive phrasing. Maybe the Congressman was joking -- if he was smiling his face mask covered it -- but the remark had DJT Jr. brushing up on his Latin.

He angrily tweeted ... "amen" simply means "so be it" in Latin -- though its origin is actually believed to be Hebrew -- and says it isn't a gendered word. So, he called out Cleaver for "being insane" with his prayer pun and asked his followers ... "Is this what you voted for?"

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"AMEN AND AWOMAN"
C-SPAN

Other Republicans are taking shots too, including Rep. Guy Reschenthaler and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ... who said, "House Democrat prayer ending as House Dems focus on gender security by abolishing virtually every normal gender term like "father. Mother"-the radical madness has begun."

So, there you have it ... please mentally and womentally prepare yourselves for the madness.

Originally Published -- 8:20 AM PT

Myles Garrett Daps Up Mason Rudolph After Game ... Helmet Attack Forgiven?!?

Hatchet buried?!

Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph shared a handshake and exchanged pleasantries in a post-game moment Sunday -- something no one expected to happen roughly 13 months after the infamous helmet attack incident!

Remember, it was in Nov. 2019 that Garrett swung a helmet at Rudolph's head during a nationally televised Browns vs. Steelers game -- with some calling for the Browns star to be criminally prosecuted.

The situation got super nasty between the NFL players -- Garrett claimed Rudolph had used the n-word on the field, something Rudolph had vehemently denied. Ultimately, Myles was hit with a 6-game suspension that ended his 2019 season.

The two teams clashed again on Sunday night -- with Rudolph filling in at QB for Ben Roethlisberger ... and the big question, is there still bad blood???

No helmet swinging this time around as the Browns beat the Steelers -- but after the game, cameras caught Myles and Mason dapping each other up.

"Myles came over and said, 'good game,' postgame and that's all it was," Rudolph said. "I told him 'good luck' and that I had a lot of respect for him."

Added Garrett, "I just told him good game -- he played a hell of a game -- and we’ll see you all in a week," Garrett said. "He played tough. He had 300 yards and a couple of touchdowns. He played very well, and he kept them in it to the very end."

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MUTUAL RESPECT
Cleveland Browns / Pittsburgh Steelers

"Had to show a little praise that he did well in this game and he was able to make some big plays for them."

So, friends? Not exactly ... but the situation is 1000000 times better than it was last year.

And, get this ... Myles and Mason will have a chance to continue their chat on Sunday when the Browns face the Steelers AGAIN in the AFC Wild Card game.

Beers after the game?

Snoop Dogg to Eminem 'Soft Ass S***' on 'Zeus,' Shady ... Don't Make Me Answer!!!

Snoop Dogg is finally speaking out after being dissed by Eminem on a new song -- this after Snoop kinda dissed Shady himself -- and it sounds like a good old-fashioned hip-hop beef is cookin'.

The Doggfather left a telling comment on an Eminem fan page's IG post, which laid out clips of Marshall recently explaining why he called out Snoop by name on his new track, 'Zeus,' which was released earlier this month as part of his 'Music to be Murdered By' deluxe album.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Snoop's thoughts to Em's justification ... "Pray I don't answer that soft ass S***." He added a bunch of laughing emojis after, so it seems this might be all in good fun. But still ... testy.

ICYMI ... Eminem, earlier this week, broke down why he took shots at Snoop on 'Zeus' -- saying he was responding to comments the Long Beach rapper made over the summer on 'The Breakfast Club,' where he said Em wasn't a top 10 rapper in his eyes, and that he could live without Eminem's contribution to hip-hop if he had to choose historical impact.

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Snoop also said Eminem wouldn't be anybody without Dr. Dre -- something Em actually agreed with. His whole thing is Snoop's tone, which he says he took as disrespectful and unnecessary in making his point. Em says everyone's entitled to their opinion about the best rappers to do it, but he was taken back by how flip Snoop was about writing him off.

As for what Eminem actually said about Snoop, it wasn't as fiery as you might think. Lyrics go ... "And, as far as squashin' beef, I'm used to people knockin' me / But, just not in my camp / And diplomatic as I'm tryna be / Last thing I need is Snoop doggin' me / Man, Dogg, you was like a (Yeah) damn god to me / Nah, not really (Haha)//I had "dog" backwards / But I'm startin' to think, all these people takin' shots at me / S**, it's no wonder."

Remember, Snoop and Eminem run in the same circle -- they've both worked extensively with Dr. Dre ... so it's understandable why Shady was shocked to hear Snoop talk about him the way he did. To us, it doesn't sound like Snoop was taking special aim at Em with ill-intent, but the latter clearly took it that way.

The only question now ... what happens next??? Em said what he had to say, and assuming Snoop's words here aren't just a joke ... a diss track from him might be forthcoming 👀

'Fresh Prince' Star Janet Hubert Slams Lori Loughlin ... Got Off Easy Because She's White

The OG Aunt Viv is pissed ... this time she's taking aim at Lori Loughlin, claiming Hollywood's about to reward her -- after a super light prison sentence -- simply because Lori's white.

"Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star Janet Hubert's been railing against Lori ever since the actress got out of federal prison on Monday ... after serving just under 2 months for her role in the college admissions scandal.

Following Lori's release, Janet went nuclear ... saying white actresses get new shows and pilots when they commit crimes, and predicted Lori "will get an Emmy for her time in prison."

Janet summed up her disgust with the hashtag #onlyinamerikkka.

Janet's still fuming ... on Wednesday, she compared Lori's 2-month sentence to the 5-year sentence handed down to Tanya McDowell, the Black mother who was punished for sending her kid to the wrong school district.

Remember ... Lori and her husband, Mossimo, entered guilty pleas after prosecutors accused them of paying $500,000 in bribes to get their daughters into USC.

Janet insists her anger isn't just because she's Black ... she added, "there are many white parents who are pissed as well."

After years of attacking Will Smith -- a beef they squashed during the recent 'Fresh Prince' reunion -- it looks like Janet's got a new nemesis.

Young Thug on Jay-Z Name 30 Songs of His You Know!!! 1 Month After 3000 Diss

Young Thug's latest stop on his Let's-Disrespect-Rap-Legends tour lands on the doorstep of Jay-Z ... whom he claims doesn't even have dozens of songs people know by heart, unlike himself.

YT made the controversial comment on an episode of the Barstool podcast 'Million $ Worth of Game' ... where Thug boastfully claims his own tunes are anthems -- songs a whole stadium can rap along with him at the drop of a dime.

He went on to say that's very rare in hip-hop -- and then invoked Jigga's name by saying, "Jay-Z ain't got 30 songs like that, where the whole stadium finna sing." Thug immediately got an awkward pause out of most everyone in the room ... with Gillie da Kid trying to be nice and correct him, saying Jay DOES have a lot (an understatement).

Young Thug tried backtracking a bit, explaining he wasn't targeting Jay specifically -- but simply using him as an example of rappers he's seen perform where, apparently, the majority of the crowd doesn't know a song. It's an eyebrow-raising claim, and here's why.

Jay's catalog runs incredibly deep -- he's literally got 100 songs that have appeared on Billboard's Hot 100 ... 21 of which went Top 10, and 4 going #1. Young Thug, by contrast, has 4 Top 10s and two #1s. It's not close.

Of course, his shot at Jay -- which is being torn apart online -- comes one month after he openly talked down on a fellow Atlanta MC ... none other than OutKast's Andre 3000.

During an appearance on T.I.'s 'ExpediTIously' podcast, Thug said he couldn't rap two 3000 songs to save his life ... adding that he never paid attention to the guy, and also claimed Dre wants the younger generation of rappers to kiss his ass. All kinds of trash, really.

One last thing ... Thug apparently has bad blood with Lil Wayne too, and says he thinks he's qualified to take on Weezy in a Verzuz battle ... because of their equal "influence."

Someone come get this man, please.

Donald Trump 'Elitist Snobs' in Fashion Biz Denied Melania Magazine Covers!!!

Donald Trump has too many grievances to count ... the latest being his anger that Melania has not graced a single magazine cover in the 4 years he's been President, and he thinks he knows why.

Trump tweeted his outrage that, as he called her, "the most elegant First Lady" has been blackballed from mag covers by "elite snobs," and without directly saying it, it seems he might be zeroing in on Anna Wintour.

Melania was on the cover of Vogue in 2005, shortly after her marriage to Trump, but that was it.

Michelle Obama, by contrast, was on the cover of Vogue 3 times during her tenure in the White House. The last cover was in November 2016 ... after Trump's victory. As you know, the Obamas popularity drives Trump insane, so no surprise here.

Melania was actually on one cover that we know of ... the February 2017 issue of Vanity Fair Mexico.

Wintour is not a Trump fan, for sure. She's been public about her political preferences, which include Kamala Harris, whom she profiled in April 2018.

How 'bout focusing on that COVID relief bill, please.

Logan Paul Fires Back At Canelo Alvarez ... You Spit On The Ethics Of Boxing!!!

Logan Paul is going NUCLEAR on Canelo Alvarez ... saying the champ has no room to call him "disrespectful" to boxing after testing positive for a banned substance.

LP is responding to Canelo's recent comments to TMZ Sports ... where the 30-year-old fighter said it's a "lack of respect" for pros to fight YouTubers like the Paul Bros -- claiming it's more about money than the love of the sport.

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THEY HAVE NO RESPECT
TMZSports.com

The social media superstar addressed Alvarez's comments on Monday ... and he didn't hold back.

“I think he’s the guy that got caught using steroids twice," Paul said on the Night Shift Gaming stream. "We want to talk about disrespecting boxing, talk about a guy who didn’t play by the rules."

Of course, Canelo was hit with a 6-month suspension after testing positive for Clenbuterol in 2018 ... which the fighter blamed on tainted meat.

Regardless of the explanation, Paul says it takes away Canelo's right to talk down on his own boxing endeavors.

"To say we’re disrespecting the sport, I feel disrespected especially as it’s coming from a guy who quite literally disrespected and spit on the ethics of the sport. Yeah, it upsets me."

Paul says Canelo's pissed that he has an upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather ... when that's the only loss on the top pound-for-pound fighter's record.

"F**k you. Suck a d**k," Paul added. "I think he’s salty because I get a chance to beat Mayweather and he lost to him. That’s his one loss."

Logan -- who admits he idolizes Canelo and considers him one of the greatest fighters of all time -- defends his boxing pursuits ... saying he trains like a maniac and isn't half-assing anything.

"Just 'cause we're attempting to do something and put on a great show and putting in the work, doesn't mean you have to s**t on us. Like, what the f**k, bro?"

'Verzuz' Too Short, E-40's Lyrics, Dancing and Stories ... You Know Who Won!!!

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THE BAY AREA WINS
Verzuz / Apple Music

Too Short and E-40 played their classic tracks, put down some classic dancing and told classic stories -- so yeah, the last "Verzuz" of 2020 was a West Coast classic.

The Bay Area rap legends acknowledged their longstanding friendship from "BR" -- before rap, as 40 puts it -- but then went at each other in a tight competition. As with most "Verzuz" battles ... the online debate about a winner was fierce.

Too Short played hits like "Freaky Tales," "Life Is...Too $Hort," "I'm a Player," "Buy You Some'" and "Blow the Whistle."

E-40 brought it with "U and Dat," "Captain Save A Hoe," "I Got 5 On It" (Remix), "Yay Area," and "Hope I Don't Go Back."

Both were sipping on drinks throughout the night which, for E-40 at least, meant it was time to do some dancing -- hilariously entertaining.

As TMZ first reported ... the stage setup featured 2 classic lowrider whips behind each MC, and they also repped for the Bay with street signs for their hometowns of Oakland and Vallejo.

So, the consensus is E-40 hit hard early on in the battle, but Short put together a 2nd half streak of bangers -- as for who won overall?

Billboard judged it a tie, but the MCs themselves say the true winner was ... the Yay Area. So, exactly the way Short predicted it would play out.