Fights

Before Jake Paul showed some big-time toughness in the ring vs. Mike Tyson on Friday ... he displayed his huge soft spot on Thursday -- sweetly hosting a boy who's battling cancer throughout some of his pre-fight festivities.

El Gallo's guest of honor was Owen Obey -- a 7-year-old who was diagnosed with bone cancer earlier this year -- and TMZ Sports has learned social media influencer Samuel Weidenhofer actually helped the two link up.

Obey's mom, Chelsi, tells us Weidenhofer learned of Owen's story weeks ago ... and was so moved by it, he asked Jake if he'd be interested in meeting the youngster during fight week this week.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are gearing up for a clash that's got everyone buzzing -- but hey, if you’re not up for the punches and drama, we’ve got plenty of other ringside tea to spill!

Sometimes, you gotta pause the action and appreciate these athletes serving peak physical perfection -- from Anthony Joshua's sculpted frame to Logan Paul's ripped physique, Tommy Fury's chiseled abs, and Craig Cunningham's lean, mean fighting machine vibes ... these boxing beefcakes prove the grind is real.

No one packs a punch quite like Mike Tyson, who's stepping back into the ring tonight -- and let’s be real, the man’s been ready to rumble since day one.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are throwing down at AT&T Stadium in Texas tonight ... and, fans in the area who couldn't score tickets can enjoy the match with a stripper dancing on them.

We called up a few strip clubs in the Dallas area and asked about their fight night plans ... and many told us they've got specials and deals for patrons who want a little lovin' with their fightin'.

Spearmint Rhino in North Dallas tells us they're offering selected bottle service for $175 and lap dances for $25 ... while The Men's Club of Dallas is offering steak and lobster for $23, a $150 bottle service and just $3 for a domestic beer.

Mike Tyson jumped the gun with Jake Paul ... slapping his boxing opponent in the face at the final face-off before their big fight ... and it's all on video.

Iron Mike and Jake got face to face after Thursday's weigh-in ... with Tyson slapping Jake across the check.

Mike landed a right-hand slap flush on Jake's face and then appeared to throw another punch below the belt that missed ... before being pushed away from Jake.

If you were looking for betting advice from Andre Ward on the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight ... search elsewhere -- the former boxing superstar tells TMZ Sports it's so close between the two, he has absolutely "no idea" how things will shake out.

The ex-champ broke it down for us on Thursday -- roughly 24 hours before Tyson and Paul will square off in Dallas on Netflix -- explaining that because of Tyson's age and background, the scrap is simply impossible to predict.

"If it's the average 58-year-old, you kind of, sort of know how this thing is going to go," Ward said. "But we're talking about Mike Tyson. If there's a 58-year-old that I'm not worried about, it's him."

Stephen Espinoza ran Showtime Sports and oversaw the two biggest PPV boxing matches ever -- Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao and Floyd vs. Conor McGregor -- so, we asked the former C-suite exec how much money Jake Paul and Mike Tyson would earn Friday night.

"I think it's realistic to expect that both of them will each make $30 to $40 million each," Espinoza told TMZ Sports on Thursday ... adding they could make substantially more.

And, we're not just talking about huge checks for Jake and Mike ... Stephen also believes Jerry's World will rake in more than ever before on a fight night.

Offset's most recent Paris night ended in fisticuffs, new video obtained from TMZ Hip Hop confirms -- and there's loads of wild footage!!!

The former Migos rap star and his boys were coming out of the Hôtel du Collectionneur Wednesday night when another group of men aggressively confronted them at the entrance.

Sources in the streets say the men were part of French rapper Gazo's entourage, who grew enraged after they paid Offset $150K for a video shoot, and "laziness" caused him to fail at meeting their requirements.

Mike Tyson's proving age ain't nothin' but a number ... 'cause the boxing legend popped the hood at weigh-ins Thursday morning, and Iron Mike's living up to his moniker!

He's ripped and rarin' to go.

58-year-old Tyson and 27-year-old Paul both stepped on the scale Thursday morning in Dallas -- about 36 hours before they'll try and take each other's heads off in the ring -- a fight Mike told us would be the "biggest in the history of life."

Mike Tyson might be the baddest man on the planet, but he's no match for Jake Paul ... so says KSI, who claims the boxing legend is gonna get his ass knocked out on Friday.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer shared his thoughts on the upcoming bout one day before the massive event at AT&T Stadium ... and he said point blank -- Mike's age (58) is going to play a major factor in the result.

"Jake Paul will knock out Mike Tyson," KSI said on X. "This will not be close at all."

If you were expecting fierce trash talk and utter chaos at the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson press conference ... sorry, 'cause the boxing legend was as introverted as could be during the leadup to their big fight -- forcing El Gallo to call him out for being "boring."

The two pugilists took the stage just two days before their huge showdown at AT&T Stadium ... and while Jake was ready to go to verbal war, his opponent was a man of few words when peppered with questions.

Mike made it clear he was done talking and ready to fight ... and all he cared about was beating Jake.

Jake Paul is keeping his ears protected ahead of his fight against Mike Tyson -- TMZ Sports has learned El Gallo just received some iced-out coverings to make sure his opponent doesn't try to chomp 'em off!!

The unique drip was part of the YouTuber-turned-global boxing star's latest haul ahead of Friday's huge event at AT&T Stadium ... which also included a $7 MILLION Jacob & Co. watch!!

Paul having the ear coverings is a clear jab at Iron Mike's most infamous in-ring moment -- when he bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear in 1997.

Mike Tyson says his upcoming boxing match against Jake Paul isn't just the biggest bout in the sport's existence ... it's the "biggest fight in the history of life!!"

The boxing legend icon made the declaration to Harvey and Charles on "TMZ Live" on Tuesday ... saying despite all the blockbuster Pay-Per-Views he's headlined over the years, Friday's event at AT&T Stadium takes the cake.

The 58-year-old admitted it's the most-hyped bout in the world ... claiming, "[There's never been a fight this big."

It seems a Deontay Wilder vs. Francis Ngannou super fight might actually happen ... 'cause the Bronze Bomber tells TMZ Sports he's down to begin negotiations now!

Ngannou, of course, said just a couple weeks ago he was hoping to get in the boxing ring with Wilder soon ... and, when we caught up with DW out at LAX this week, he seemed very open to the idea.

In fact, he told us he wants to get Ngannou's team on the phone and begin talks ASAP!

Boxer Lamont Roach says his January bout against Gervonta Davis will be the fight of the year ... telling TMZ Sports he's gunning to shock the world and hand Tank the first L of his career!

We spoke with the 25-1 fighter ahead of his upcoming matchup with Tank, who will be defending his lightweight title in Houston, TX.

Some might consider it a mismatch ... considering Tank is one of the biggest stars in boxing, while Roach is still on the rise.

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are throwing down at the AT&T Stadium in Texas next week ... but, fans who can't wait to see the two brawl have another chance -- in the form of a pair of look-alike little people.

The MicroMania Tour -- a group that puts on gag-filled fights between little people -- is taking over The Nerd Bar ... a Vegas hot spot off The Strip, on Fremont Street.

In what they call "Micro Square Garden," two performers -- outfitted with fake tattoos -- will face each other down in the center ring.

Stipe Miocic is returning to the Octagon after almost 4 years away for a fight against the legendary Jon Jones ... in front of a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden that could include President-elect Donald Trump!

With the UFC's heavyweight title on the line ... we asked 42-year-old Miocic whether he'd be down for 45 (& soon-to-be 47) to play Dana White for a night, and wrapping the belt around his waist if he defeat Bones.

"I'm not against it," Stipe responded, saying, "That'd be kinda cool to have a president do it. President-elect."