TMZ Sports - Page 50

Former boxing champion Winky Wright says Mayweather/Pacquiao didn't save boxing ... but the UFC can ... telling TMZ Sports the future of the ring lies in how Dana White does things in the octagon.

We spoke to Wright -- the former light middleweight champion of the world -- and he says that the UFC is so far ahead of boxing when it comes to public interest, that the only way to close the gap ... is to rip off their swag.

"The reason UFC is where it’s at right now is because Dana White controls everything. He makes it happen."

Winky says there are simply too many promoters in the sport of boxing and no one makes the fights that anyone wants to see ... while the UFC constantly pits their best fighters against each other.

Tom Brady is finally getting some support from an NFL player who's NOT his teammate -- with Jacksonville Jaguars star Marcedes Lewis saying he hopes the league goes easy on "America's Child."

The tight end was cruisin' around Hollywood this weekend when he told he's personally rooting for Brady to play this season, despite rumors Brady could get suspended by the NFL for his role in Deflategate.

We also asked Lewis about the devastating injury to his newest teammate Donte Fowler -- the 1st round pick who blew out his ACL during practice last week.

Hope Solo's husband Jerramy Stevens caught a huge break Sunday ... getting released from jail today ... JUST 3 DAYS after surrendering for a 30 day sentence for his Team USA soccer van DUI.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Sports ... the former NFL tight end was released early due, at least in part, to good behavior during his time behind bars.

As we previously reported, Stevens was arrested in Manhattan Beach, CA in January while driving a team USA soccer van with his wife Hope Solo in the vehicle. They were complete pains in the ass during the arrest and even dropped the "Don't you know who we are?" card.

Here's a cool video ... New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees hangin' out on his balcony with Matt McConaughey ... and tossin' out beads to people on the streets.

So ... why?

The guys teamed up to hand out clues and rewards in a scavenger hunt for charity -- and one of the challenges was to go to Drew's pad and sing to the guys ... in exchange, participants got beads.

It was all to benefit Matt's "j.k. livin" foundation and Drew's "Brees Dream" org. -- but you can tell the guys are having a blast together ... and even got their families involved.

Mike Vick's ex-business partner claims he's been on the receiving end of some nasty threats from the QB ever since their hairbrush company hit the skids .. and now he's filed a police report against the NFL star. Though Vick's reps say the whole thing is a bunch of crap.

The man behind the allegations is Tony "Bachelor" Fortune -- who teamed up with Vick to launch WaveMasterz brushes back in 2014. In fact, Vick came on "TMZ Hollywood Sports" and was pumped about the product.

The company was KILLIN' IT back in December ... but Fortune says there was a major rift in their relationship ... and the two have been at war for months.

Now, we've learned Fortune filed a report with the East Rutherford Police Department ... claiming Vick threatened him back in December and January.

Cops tell TMZ Sports ... they're aware of the allegations ... but at this point, they're not considering charges against Vick.

We spoke with Fortune who tells us he's hell-bent on pushing forward with his case against Vick -- calling him an "evil man" who has "no place in society."

This video is AWESOME!!!

Trevor Ariza's grandfather says if Matt Barnes tried to talk smack to him during a game like he did to James Harden's mother ... "We'd have to kick the s**t out of him!"

Osvaldo Ariza was on his way in to Staples Center last night when we he made it clear ... the Ariza family doesn't mess around.

As far as the situation between Barnes and Harden's mom ... Ariza says he's not worried about Monja Willis because she's a tough chick who can definitely take care of herself.

Training camp might be over, but turn up season is just beginning for Floyd Mayweather ... 'cause TMZ Sports has pics of the money man's triumphant return ... to the clubs.

Floyd put his famous party ways on hold while he trained for Manny, but now that that's in the bag, he's back out ... hittin' up Too Short's bday bonanza at club Lure in L.A. on Friday night.

Mayweather wasn't the only big name clubbin' that night -- Snoop was there ... as well as Diddy's sons Justin and Quincy. L.A. party gods Branden King and DJ Dirty Draws kept the crowd moving.

We're told Floyd played it cool the whole night ... not drinking or partying too hard ... maybe because he says he wants to fight again in four short months.

WNBA star Brittney Griner has tied the knot with the woman who cut and bit her during a blowout fight that resulted in their arrests just 2 weeks ago.

Britney and Glory Johnson said "I do" in Phoenix Friday, a week after Brittney pled guilty to disorderly conduct. Glory wore a full length strapless gown, and Brittney a business suit with tennis shoes.

It's a risky move ... getting hitched after a fight that left both of them bloodied and injured. In fact, on the day of the arrest Brittney told cops she and Glory were having serious relationship issues.

Nonetheless, it looked like a beautiful wedding.

Good luck to both.

Mark Wahlberg was blown away at the Clippers game last night, but it had nothing to do with the Clippers rout over the Rockets ... he was mesmerized by Floyd Mayweather's bling.

Mark and Floyd were sitting courtside, not beside each other, when Mark walked over to Floyd to admire his ridiculously expensive bracelet.

Meanwhile, Khloe and Kendall had laser focus on the game ... at least for a second or two.

Tons of stars showed, including Billy Chrystal, Macy Gray, Adam Devine and Bob Odenkirk.

So, get this ... NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON is getting fired for that whole Cleveland Cavs domestic violence arena video debacle. Not a one.

Our super solid Cavs sources tell us ... despite the public outcry for someone to get the axe, the organization wants to use the situation as a teachable moment ... instead of a public execution.

We're told team execs spoke with EVERYONE that had a hand in making and airing the video -- in which a male Cavs fan SLAMS his GF for being a Bulls fan -- and explained why it was a bad idea.

Seems the Cavs feel everyone got the message ... but as you can imagine, the ice over there has gotta be super duper thin.

Ball pressure was never on Tom Brady's mind back in his college days -- the obsession developed after he got into the pros ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We spoke with Jon Falk, the legendary equipment manager at Michigan during Brady's playing days -- who says he's 100% SURE Brady NEVER screwed around with the balls before a college game.

"At Michigan he never messed around with any footballs because he never got the chance to touch them! That's the way it was, I prided myself on those game balls."

It was a different story for Brady in the pros -- with TB admitting he's maniacal about the PSI of every game ball because he wants to make sure he gets the "perfect grip."

As for Deflategate, Falk says he doesn't believe "Tommy" could be a cheater because back at UM, he was one of the most "standup guys I've ever met. I never saw [him] mess with the footballs."

Drake got absolutely NO LOVE from the Houston Texans cheerleading squad ... and apparently won't be getting any in the future either ... 'cause the WHOLE TEAM said he's completely undateable.

The cheer squad stopped by "H-Town Live" on 104.1 KRBE in Houston on Friday to talk music and pop culture ... when the host put them through a fun rapid question and answer sesh.

But you have to watch the reaction when he asks if any of them would ever date Drake -- a guy who spends A LOT of time in Houston.

It's a mass rejection.

The NBA was definitely NOT amused with the Matt Barnes vs. James Harden's mother smack talk session earlier this week ... fining Barnes $50k for running his mouth during the game.

Both Barnes and Harden's mother admitted getting into it during the Clippers vs. Rockets playoff game on Wednesday ... though neither side has revealed what specific insults were hurled.

Now, the NBA says Barnes committed the cardinal sin of "directing inappropriate language at a fan" -- and dinged him $50,000.

Matt Barnes says James Harden's mother STARTED their heated verbal exchange during the last Clips vs. Rockets game ... but says they've since buried the hatchet.

We broke the story ... Harden's mother Monja Willis says one of her sons confronted Barnes after the game and demanded an apology ... to which Barnes obliged.

Now, Barnes is telling his side of the story ... saying, "We've spoken twice since the incident ... we've made our peace."

Barnes wouldn't give the details about what exactly was said between the two -- but did admit he did NOT know the woman was Harden's mother at the time of the trash talk.

As for the NBA -- Matt says he's been contacted by league officials ... and expects to be fined.

Hope Solo's husband Jerramy Stevens -- a former NFL player -- was just sentenced to 30 days in jail ... stemming from a DUI where he was driving a Team USA soccer van.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the 35-year-old surrendered to authorities Friday -- and will begin his sentence immediately.

Stevens was given 1 day of jail credit for the time he served in the moments following the arrest.

He was also sentenced to 4 years probation and ordered to complete a 2 year outpatient alcohol treatment program in the state of Washington.

As we previously reported, Stevens was arrested in Manhattan Beach, CA on January 19th while driving a team USA soccer van with his wife Hope Solo in the vehicle.

During the stop, we're told both Hope and Jerramy were extremely difficult with cops and tried to play the "Do you know who we are?" card. It didn't work. His blood alcohol level was more than 2 times the legal limit.

Stevens was convicted of misdemeanor DUI -- his 2nd DUI conviction in the last 10 years ... which is most likely why he got such a harsh penalty.

During today's hearing, the judge issued a "Watson Warning" -- meaning that if he gets in a DUI accident where someone is killed, Stevens could be charged with murder instead of the lesser vehicular manslaughter charge.

File Under: "It's GREAT to be Rich" .... 'cause Carmelo Anthony just strapped on a brand new watch ... worth $565,000!!!!!!

Melo just posted the timepiece on Instagram ... and now, we've learned why -- it's a super limited Greubel Forsey ... one of the most popular brands with hardcore watch collectors.

So, why's the watch so valuable? It's not loaded with gold or diamonds ... it's what's under the hood -- precision mechanics. Plus, the 3D globe on the watch took the company 18 months to develop.

It's not like Melo can't afford it -- the guy's in the middle of a 5 year $124 MILLION contract.

1:01 PM PT -- Turns out, Anthony didn't buy the watch ... yet ... but he's VERY interested in it.

Here's the deal, Carmelo is a partner in Haute Time -- a luxury lifestyle website/magazine ... and last night, he organized an event for 15 ultra-wealthy collectors to check out and try on some exclusive Greubel Forsey pieces.