Mayweather vs Pacquiao Honey, I Shrunk The Fight
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao is the main event but even the under, under ... UNDER card has some big names -- in the little boxing world, anyway.
"Mini Pretty Boy Money" and "Mini Pacman" went at it in the MGM Grand lobby on Monday ... not far from the full-size ring the resort is using to promote Saturday's huge bout.
You gotta see the stare down between the fighters -- absolutely menacing ... said no one.
But get this ... the ultra flyweights will really fight on Saturday night at Beacher's Madhouse and tickets ain't cheap. For $1500 you get to see Floyd and Manny on closed circuit, and then after that ... Mini Money and Mini Pac will go at it live.
Our money's on a TKO (Tiny Knock Out).
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Mark Wahlberg $250K Bet with Diddy Is REAL ... Money's In Escrow
Anyone who thought that Diddy and Mark Wahlberg's Mayweather vs. Pacquiao mega-bet was just for show is WRONG ... 'cause Mark tells TMZ Sports the $250,000 is already in escrow.
In case you forgot ... the two superstars made a massive bet on the outcome of the fight, with Diddy backing Mayweather and Wahlberg siding with Pacquiao.
Mark was out in Beverly Hills Tuesday when we asked the movie star if he was at all worried about Diddy pulling an Aaron Rodgers ... and backing out of the agreement if Pacman turns out to be victorious.
Check out the clip -- Mark says he's not worried about a Rodgering ... 'cause he CAN'T, due to the fact that the money is already being held by a neutral party.
FYI -- Mark also says the winnings will go to the winning fighter's favorite charity.
Which means that the strippers at Sam's Hofbrau are rooting extra hard for Floyd.
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NFL's Phillip Buchanon I Invented Twerking ... On A Board Game
Miley made it cool ... and now ex-NFL star Phillip Buchanon is out to make twerking competitive ... by releasing a brand new Twerk-obsessed board game ... TMZ Sports has learned.
Buchanon invented a booty shaking based game called "Twerkin-It" where the winner is totally determined by who can shake dat ass the best.
"I did it in two nights, I saw everyone was twerking so I thought, 'What if there was a game that people could play to keep the party going?'"
How does one play a game based on a dance? Phillip says you combine the dance itself with the one thing that makes people do it ... alcohol.
Players spin to determine which twerk move they must perform (there are many, consult YouTube), with the bad twerker having to swallow their pride and take a shot of liquor.
So far the $29.99 games are selling like hotcakes according to Phillip ... thanks mostly to big time celeb endorsements from guys like Flo Rida, Pleasure P, and Miami rap god (and booty music pioneer) Uncle Luke.
Phillip says that despite the success of the game he'd still love to attach a big time female endorser as the face (or ass) of Twerkin-It ... and he has a wish list.
"Rihanna, Beyonce, Kim K, Amber Rose or Miley Cyrus."
Good luck Phillip ... and good work Kanye ... for batting a solid .400 with that group.
Russell Wilson Brings Ciara to White House Dinner ... You're Welcome, Barack
Russell Wilson is having one hell of an off-season ... he just walked in to the White House State dinner with Ciara on his arm .... and she's looking DAMN FINE!!!!!
Rumors had been swirling about the Seattle Seahawks QB secretly dating the R&B singer ... but now, it appears to be official -- with Wilson bringing her as his date for dinner with President Obama and the Prime Minister of Japan.
Before Ciara came into the picture, Wilson -- who divorced his wife last year -- was spotted out with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition model Samantha Hoopes ... but clearly, she's out -- Ciara's in.
Mazel!
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Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty In Dom Violence Case ... Enters Counseling
WNBA star Brittney Griner has pled guilty to disorderly conduct stemming from her domestic violence arrest last week ... and has entered a counseling program ... TMZ Sports has learned.
We spoke with Brittney's attorney David Michael Cantor who tells us Griner struck a plea deal with prosecutors in Goodyear, Arizona ... where Brittney and her fiancee Glory Johnson were arrested following a blowout fight at their home.
Cantor tells us Griner agreed to plead guilty to disorderly conduct -- and if she keeps her nose clean while she completes a 26 week domestic violence counseling program, all charges will be dropped ... including the original assault charge.
Cantor says, "The day after her arrest, prior to the Court’s requirements being imposed, Brittney voluntarily began counseling and will continue to attend in addition to the required court’s counseling."
We're told that Brittney is also being investigated by the WNBA -- and she "cooperating fully" with the league.
Cantor adds, "Brittney wishes everyone to know, "It is never okay for an argument to turn physical. This will never happen again, and I take my relationship and my responsibility as a role model seriously. I am committed to making positive changes and I plan to use what I have learned to set a good example and help make a difference in the world around me."
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Mayweather vs. Pacquiao No Free Rides! Showtime Guns for Internet Pirates
Showtime's not about to let millions of people watch for free when Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao step in the ring -- the network just filed a lawsuit against a couple of alleged internet pirate sites.
Showtime filed the federal suit, claiming boxinghd.net and sportship.org are advertising free streaming of Saturday night's mega bout ... which will cost you $89 to $100 on legal PPV.
In the docs, Showtime points out boxinghd.net's homepage touts, "If you can't afford to buy tickets then simply watch Mayweather vs Pacquiao here. We will provide nothing but the freshest and the most reliable high quality live links."
With just 4 days to go before the fight ... Showtime is asking the court to block both sites from streaming the fight and wants all internet service providers to shut down the illegal stream.
There's a ton of cash on the line -- total PPV sales are expected to top $300 million for the fight of the century.
TMZ Sports broke the story ... the only place you can see the fight for free is Mexico.
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Brittney Griner 911 Call Screaming, Yelling, Fighting [Update: Pics of Injuries]
TMZ Sports has obtained the 911 call ... in which you can clearly hear WNBA star Brittney Griner and her fiancee Glory Johnson screaming at each other while brawling in their Arizona home.
The scene was chaotic ... as Glory's sister tried to tell the 911 operator that the two women were going after each other on April 22nd ... throwing plates and bowls across the house.
Props to the 911 operator -- who, despite the yelling and screaming on the other line, took control of the situation ... getting Glory's sister to step outside so she could get all the info responders needed.
Once cops arrived, both Brittney and Glory were arrested for domestic violence -- after each suffering minor injuries in the fight.
The two have issued a statement apologizing for their actions and explaining that they still plan on getting married next month.
1:37 PM PT -- TMZ Sports also obtained photos of the injuries sustained by both Griner and Johnson ... and another person who was in the house at the time of the attack.
You can see the injuries to the WNBA stars appear to be pretty minor -- but the friend suffered a nasty gash on the side of his neck.
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Evander Holyfield Fan Drops $40k To Attend Mayweather Fight w/ Evander
Evander Holyfield finally has a date to the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight ... a mystery fan who just dropped $40,100 for one of the most V.I.P. boxing experiences EVER.
The "Real Deal" was part of an INSANE package featured in an eBay auction -- where the lucky winner gets:
-- One ticket to the fight ... sitting with Evander
-- 1st class airfare to and from Las Vegas
-- "Deluxe" room accommodations at the MGM Grand
-- A fancy steak dinner with Evander before the fight
-- One year of products from Quest Nutrition
There's more ... the proceeds from the auction benefit the CharityVision organization -- which helps visually challenged people in developing nations.
The package received 81 total bids -- and people who bid more than $25k had to pre-qualify with an independent agency.
Congrats!
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Andre Berto Lil Za Would Kick Justin Bieber's Ass ... In The Boxing Ring
There's finally a place Lil Za can say he's better than Justin Bieber ... the boxing ring ... 'cause Andre Berto tells TMZ Sports Za would DOMINATE the Biebs if the two laced 'em up.
Bieber's dabbled around in the squared circle recently, training with his pal Floyd Mayweather in the pugilistic arts ... and posting the videos to social media for everyone to see his skills.
Za one upped the Biebs this past weekend ... actually stepping in the ring FOR REAL and winning his first amateur fight at a college fight night in L.A.
We spoke to Berto, who trained Lil Za for his fight -- and he says that he's seen Bieber's skills and right now Za would have a clear edge.
"Lil Za would edge him out in the ring. He's been training a lot more than Justin and that comes into play."
Fear not Beliebers ... Berto says that if JB showed the same dedication to the sport that Za has, things could definitely change 'cause in his expert opinion, Justin's got the goods.
"Justin is bigger and he is pretty quick, but Lil Za puts in the time and training."
Soooo ... after Mayweather/Pacquiao then?
Steve Sarkisian USC Football Coach's Wife Files for Divorce
USC head football coach Steve Sarkisian had a bad 4/20 ... his marriage went up in smoke.
TMZ Sports has obtained court docs, filed in L.A County Superior Court, which show Steve's wife, Stephanie, filed for divorce on April 20th -- citing irreconcilable differences.
The two have been married since 1997. They have 3 young children together.
The couple issued a joint statement about the split a few days ago saying, "It is our desire to protect the privacy of our children and each other."
"Our goal is to raise our children in a joint, cooperative style as caring and loving parents."
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Kirk Gibson I Have Parkinson's Disease
L.A. Dodgers legend Kirk Gibson -- who famously hit the game winning home run in Game 1 of the '88 World Series -- has announced he's been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
The 57-year-old -- who is now an analyst for Fox Sports Detroit -- issued a statement saying, "I have faced many different obstacles in my life, and have always maintained a strong belief that no matter the circumstances, I could overcome those obstacles."
"While this diagnosis poses a new kind of challenge for me, I intend to stay true to my beliefs. With the support of my family and friends, I will meet this challenge with the same determination and unwavering intensity that I have displayed in all of my endeavors in life."
"I look forward to being back at the ballpark as soon as possible."
Parkinson's is a disease of the nervous system that affects movement. While there is no cure, there are treatments that can significantly reduce symptoms.
George Foreman I Still Use My Grill ... Here's My Fave Dish!
George Foreman is no phony -- telling TMZ Sports he still LOVES his legendary grill ... but there's only one thing he cooks on that bad boy these days -- and it ain't beef!
Foreman was out in NYC when we asked him about the cooking device that reportedly made the boxing superstar more than $200 MILLION since it hit the market in 1994.
Check out the clip -- sounds like George has gone healthy these days ... but he still knows how to put together a good meal.
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Hilary Duff My Tinder Profile is Legit! I've Got 9 Guys Lined Up
Hilary Duff is a right-swiping fool ... and is not only confirming that rumored Tinder profile really IS her -- but says she's going on her first Tinder date tonight ... with a regular ole non-celeb dude!
Hilary dropped her dating bombshell Tuesday morning with "Valentine in the Morning" on 104.3 FM in L.A. -- and opened up about what she's looking for on Tinder. Hint: shirtless muscle heads need not apply.
Sounds like Duff is kinda hooked on the app ... saying it's the first time in her life she's getting a chance to hook up with a "total normie." It also sounds like she's totally over her estranged hubby, Mike Comrie.
Pretty amazing to hear a celeb cop to her (formerly) secret life on Tinder. We sense a surge in subscriptions coming.
Manny Pacquiao My Dad Ate My Dog
Manny Pacquiao ran away from home at the age of 12 ... when he caught his father eating his pet dog ... this according to his trainer Freddie Roach.
Roach was talking to Yahoo! Sports about how the boxer's family struggled with poverty in the Philippines when he was a child -- and apparently, things were so tough ... Manny's father cooked the family dog for food.
When Manny realized what had happened, he ran away from home -- and began to live on the streets.
"He slept in a cardboard box. He fought his way through all this, turned pro at 14, and look at the man he is today," Roach said.
BTW -- Manny has a new dog named Pacman ... and NO ONE is allowed to eat it.
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Ray Lewis STOP RIOTING IN BALTIMORE 'Violence Is Not the Answer'
Ray Lewis is begging the people of Baltimore to STOP THE RIOTING ... explaining, "Violence is not the answer."
The former Baltimore Ravens linebacker -- and one of the most famous people in the city -- just went to social media to beg the rioters to end the chaos.
"Violence is not the answer. We must have peace in our city," Lewis said.
"We are a city that's built on believing in each other."
Former Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith also spoke out on the issue -- saying, "Violent protests have never produced the results that we have wanted. Even the great Martin Luther King adjusted his strategy."
He added, "I don't know all of the facts or have the answers but I do know that a family is mourning the death of their child/brother/cousin that could have been prevented. I pray for the family of Freddie Gray during this difficult time and that they get all of the answers they need."
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Gronk's New GF The Endorsements Cometh
Rob Gronkowski's new girlfriend just scored her first big modeling campaign -- landing a gig as the "brand ambassador" for a big watch company ... and she looks good.
As we previously reported, Gronk is all BF/GF with Camille Kostek ... a former New England Patriots cheerleader, news anchor and model.
Now, Kostek is the "fresh face" for the Benrus Watch Company -- which says it hired Kostek because "she represents all of our standards; beauty, intelligence, and a commitment to excellence."
Weird, that last one is more of a Raiders thing ...
Anyway, congrats!