David Benavidez Plans To Beat Up Oleksandr ... Like He Did Years Ago

061424_david_benavidez-kal
FEELING STRONG
TMZSports.com

Same s***, different day -- that's star boxer David Benavidez's motto heading into his big bout Saturday night ... 'cause the boxer tells us he plans to kick Oleksandr Gvozdyk's ass, just like he did when they sparred a few years back.

Benavidez (28-0) and Gvozdyk (20-1) are one of the two Prime Video PPV main events this weekend at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas ... with the winner taking the WBC interim light heavyweight title.

Benavidez -- who moved up weight classes (to 175 lbs.) to fight Gvozdyk -- feels confident the victory will be his ... and he isn't the least bit threatened by the Ukrainian fighter.

Taco Bell Yo Quiero Stolen Taco Art?!??

Tú quieres stolen art from Taco Bell?! Well, it just so happens there's some available on the black market ... for a hefty price tag.

061324_mark_smith_artwork_tacobell-kal
ART THEFT !!!
TMZ.com

Here's what's going on ... wall art commissioned for the fast food giant's image rebranding some 20 years ago was swiped from various locations over the years ... and now the heist pieces are popping up for sale online.

Mark Smith, the artist behind the dope designs, tells TMZ he's known for years that the art was stolen from stores ... but only recently has there been a hot resale market ... which includes one picture going for $10K on eBay!

Reggie Theus Sam Cassell Would Be ... 'Excellent' Choice For Lakers HC!!!

061224_reggie_theus_kal
GOTTA BE THE RIGHT FIT
TMZSports.com

Dan Hurley went back to UConn ... so the Lakers should now turn their attention toward Sam Cassell -- so says Reggie Theus, who tells TMZ Sports the ex-NBA star would be an "excellent" choice for L.A.'s vacant head coaching job.

Theus -- a former NBA player and ex-coach of the Sacramento Kings -- said out at LAX this week that Cassell is "my guy" ... and would be his top choice to fill in for Darvin Ham now that Hurley is officially out of the picture in Los Angeles.

"I love Sam," he said. "I think he's been around -- he's earned his dues."

Dr. Oz Plays Hero Mid-Flight ... Helps Passenger in Medical Emergency

061424_dr_oz_kal
LENDING A HAND
TMZ.com

Dr. Oz's medical knowledge came in handy on his flight to Mexico this week ... 'cause the celebrity doc treated a fellow passenger during a health scare up in the air, TMZ has learned.

Check out this footage, obtained by TMZ, that shows Oz vigilantly tending to another traveler, whom we're told was going in and out of consciousness an hour into Friday's flight from NYC to Cabo San Lucas.

Dr. Oz has confirmed the medical incident, telling TMZ ... he was en route to a wedding when he heard flight attendants asking for medical help, and he answered the call.

EX-NBA PLAYER DARIUS MORRIS DIED FROM HEART DISEASE ... Drugs, Booze Play Factor

The cause of death for ex-NBA player Darius Morris has just been revealed ...  heart disease is the killer, with drug and alcohol use playing a big role.

Darius' official cause of death is coronary artery disease ... according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

According to the ME's death investigation summary, obtained by TMZ Sports, drug and alcohol use was a significant factor in Darius' death ... specifically, the effects of cocaine, hydrocodone and ethanol.

Bay Swag Method Passed Summer Jam Torch ... Cash & I Will Keep It Lit🔥!!!

061424_bay_swag-kal
NEW ALBUM COMING SOON
TMZ.com

Bay Swag's summer is scorching like the desert -- "Fisherrr," his hit with Cash Cobain, is one of the hottest songs, and had the Summer Jam crowd rockin' with their performance!!!

TMZ Hip Hop recently linked with Bay in NYC before the Yung N Lit Music Fest Presented by EMG, and got his reaction to Method Man leaving the stage to the new generation of fans.

Meth kissed SJ goodbye for good after realizing the younger crowd -- which got jiggy with Bay, Cash and Ice Spice -- had taken over for good.

Political Analyst Matthew Baum AI Candidates Are Coming ... With 'All Kinds of Problems'

061424_matthew_baum_kal
ULTIMATE POLITICAL OUTSIDER???
TMZ.com

Political analyst Matthew Baum can understand the allure of an AI-powered candidate for office -- but he warns that kind of ultimate political outsider could pose some unexpected threats.

We got the Harvard professor Friday on "TMZ Live," where he weighed in on the growing trend of AI candidates running for political offices across the globe.

For example, entrepreneur Steve Endacott is having his AI-generated avatar run for a seat in the House of Commons in the United Kingdom.

Terrence Howard Jim Crow Laws of Math Hide 'Truth'

061423-terrence-howard-kal
OPEN YOUR EYES!
TMZ.com

Terrence Howard firmly believes his non-traditional theories on math, gravity and science are the simple truth -- and it's only the "Jim Crow laws of mathematics" preventing the rest of the world from getting on board with him!

We got the actor/mathematician at LAX and our photog asked him if anyone's reached out to debate him on some of his differing views about the world we live in ... including his insistence that 1 x 1 = 2.

061423-terrence-howard-joe-rogan-kal
GOTTA THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
The Joe Rogan Experience

Terrence says he's open for healthy debates on what he's been preaching on podcasts ... where he's been challenging the conventional math laws that have been around for centuries.

'Gator Boys' Star Here's What Likely Triggered Woman's Horrific Death ... A Stark Reminder to All

The alligator that ate a homeless woman likely ambushed her -- that's what a gator expert is saying anyway ... and she would know, 'cause she dealt with these things on TV.

Ashley Lawrence -- who appeared on Animal Planet's "Gator Boys" -- tells TMZ ... she has an idea of what might've led to the grisly killing of Sabrina Peckham ... who was eaten by an alligator in Florida last year, the aftermath of which we're just now seeing in 2024.

061224_ashley_lawrence-kal
REALLY UNCOMMON
TMZ.com

Lawrence says that because the victim's camp seemed to be near water -- adjacent to a canal -- that may have increased her chances of running into a gator in the first place ... as she says they lurk near these areas, and they're always looking for an opportunity to pounce on prey.

Blueface's Mom Chrisean Wished Me Dead ... But I'll Never Wish Jail On Her!!!

061324_blueface_mom_on_chrisean_and_-baby-kal
BAD TIMING
TMZ.com

Blueface's mom Karlissa Saffold hates to see her family crumbling under the weight of the legal system -- but says she's going to hold it down until everyone is free!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Karlissa in Hollywood on the heels of Chrisean Rock's surprising arrest earlier this week at Blueface's court hearing -- a move Karlissa calls "bad timing" on the part of the authorities.

She says the entire world knew Chrisean had a warrant, but for cops to act on it while Chrisean was purely in court to support Blueface was a low blow.

'Doubling Down With the Derricos' Karen and Deon Derrico Divorce ... Joint Legal, Physical Custody of 13 Minor Kids

Deon and Karen Derrico -- stars of TLC's "Doubling Down With The Derricos" -- are officially divorced after a judge signed off on the split ... and yes, that means it's already official.

The couple filed for divorce on June 4 and received the judgment two days later on June 6 ... splitting legal and physical custody of their 13 minor children equally between the two parents.

According to the court documents, obtained by TMZ, Deon will pay $1,166 a month in child support while Karen won't pay any child support because she will bear the responsibility of the kids' medical insurance.

'BRINK!' Star ERIK VON DETTEN STOKED KELCE BROS ARE FANS OF MOVIE ... Brings Back Memories!!!

061424_erik_von_detten_kal
MADE MY DAY
TMZ.com

Erik von Detten is sending love back to the Kelce brothers -- this after discovering their favorite Disney movie growing up was "Brink!" ... and as it turns out, he's a fan of theirs too.

The actor -- who played the lead in the classic Disney Channel flick -- tells TMZ he's honored by the recognition ... which he also says doesn't surprise him one bit, 'cause the 1998 classic was fantastic by his own standards.

Erik goes down memory lane with us -- reflecting on why he thinks "Brink!" still resonates with people today ... and why Travis and Jason Kelce might dig it so much from their childhood.

'DEADLIEST CATCH' STAR NICK MAVAR DEAD AT 59 ... After Medical Emergency

Nick Mavar -- who was once a deckhand on the F/V Northwestern on "Deadliest Catch" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

The Police Chief of Bristol Bay Borough Police Department in Alaska tells TMZ ... the ex-Discovery Channel star died Thursday afternoon in Naknek -- this after experiencing a medical emergency of some sort.

BBBPD wouldn't elaborate on the nature of the medical emergency -- noting it was too early in the investigation to draw conclusions. We are, however, told Nick's family has been notified of the tragic news.

Hunter Biden Not Sweating Federal Conviction ... Date Night in L.A.!!!

Hunter Biden's seemingly taking his federal gun conviction in stride ... stepping out with his wife in Los Angeles just days after becoming a convicted felon in his federal gun case.

Check out these photos -- obtained by TMZ -- that show the First Son at Dan Tana's, an Italian restaurant in West Hollywood, Thursday night and, he looked pretty chill for a guy facing a long prison sentence ... waiting patiently in the lobby along with all the normies.

Hunter dressed casually for the occasion -- ripped jeans and a polo ... as opposed to the full suit we've grown accustomed to seeing him during his trial in Delaware.

Holly Madison Not Sweating Crystal Hefner's 'Legal Bullying'

Holly Madison
Won't Back Down
Girls Next Level

Holly Madison is accusing Crystal Hefner of "legal bullying" after Hugh Hefner's widow threatened to sue her over comments on her podcast ... TMZ has learned.

In an exclusive clip from the "Girls Next Level" Patreon, Holly and co-host Bridget Marquardt confirm they -- as well as Marston Hefner -- received written warnings from Crystal's lawyer ... which they deem a gross overreaction.

As TMZ previously reported ... Crystal's lawyer accused the podcast hosts and Marston of suggesting CH kept Hugh "doped up" in order to take advantage of him financially -- warning the trio to avoid making further comments in the future or they would be facing legal action.

Kim Zolciak & Cynthia Bailey We're Reuniting On Reality TV ... Big Money On the Line!!!

Kim Zolciak and Cynthia Bailey are reuniting years after their initial run on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" ... TMZ has learned they're starring in an upcoming Hulu series that could put a boatload of cash in their pockets.

Production sources tell TMZ ... Kim and Cynthia are part of the cast on "Got to Get Out," a reality TV game show featuring a mix of celebs and civilians living in a house and jockeying for money.

We're told Kim, Cynthia and their fellow castmates -- including Spencer Pratt -- arrived in Toronto this past weekend to begin 10 days of filming.