TMZ Sports - Page 50

WWE legend Ric Flair is back wrestling ... the Hall of Famer just announced he'll be returning to the squared circle this summer for the last time in his storied career.

The 16-time World Heavyweight champion's opponent is not yet known.

It's been a while since we've seen "The Nature Boy" in action ... Ric's last match was against the icon Sting when he was still a member of TNA Impact.

In 2008, Flair officially retired from the WWE after the "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels defeated him in a match -- where his career was on the line -- at WrestleMania 24.

Rumors about Ric's in-ring return intensified after the 73-year-old posted a video of him training with former TNA superstar Jay Lethal.

In the clip, the "dirtiest player in the game" showed fans who question if he's lost a step that he still knows his way around the ring ... executing some of his signature moves.

"Someone Had The Audacity This Weekend To Ask Me If I Can Still Do This. I Said “Really??? Naitch Don’t Play!” WOOOOO! @thelethaljay" Flair wrote at the time.

Flair's wrestling career is extensive ... since breaking into the industry in 1972, "Naitch" has wrestled for every notable promotion there is -- namely, NJPW, WCW, WWE/WWF, and NWA.

Bills safety Micah Hyde is helping the Buffalo community after a mass shooting left 10 people dead and three others injured ... by committing to donate proceeds from his charity softball game over the weekend.

Hyde, a member of the Bills' org. for five seasons, had originally planned to host the softball game at Sahlen Field -- the Buffalo Bisons' minor league stadium -- to benefit his Imagine for Youth Foundation.

But, Micah almost canceled the event due to the horrific shooting at a Tops supermarket on Saturday ... although he ultimately decided to still hold it, and use it as a way to help victims of the tragedy.

Before the game, Hyde's org. received a $200,000 check from the event's sponsors ... and he announced a portion of those proceeds would go to victims' families.

Additionally, Hyde said money raised from a silent auction at the event would also support the loved ones of those who died in the mass shooting.

The 31-year-old Bills defensive back said he couldn't believe what happened ... and expressed one of the ways to eradicate hate in the world is by showing love to the youth and the community, like what he's doing with his charity softball game, which saw over 10,000 people attend.

The Bills tweeted out that they were praying for the Buffalo community ... and would be meeting Monday to discuss ways the team can help those affected by the senseless violence.

During an interview at the event Saturday, Bills star quarterback Josh Allen said he was "sick to his stomach" and that the incident "hits home" for him and his teammates.

Kim Kardashian can add another magazine cover to her collection -- she's the star of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

The S.I. Swim crew made the announcement Monday morning -- Kim, Ciara, Maye Musk and music artist Yumi Nu will grace the cover for 2022.

41-year-old Kim wore her own SKIMS brand for the cover (shot by Greg Swales in the Dominican Republic) ... going with a nude-colored suit with matching arm-length gloves.

Kim's whole shoot looks futuristic -- one of her 'fits includes wearing a black Balenciaga bikini with leather pants as she sits on a motorcycle.

KK joins a long list of icons who have landed the S.I. cover -- including Beyoncé, Kate Upton, Heidi Klum, Cheryl Tiegs and Tyra Banks.

The 2022 issue also features Katrina Scott, who is the first visibly pregnant model to be featured ... as well as a number of sports WAGs -- Jared Goff's GF, Christen Harper, Kevin Love's fiancée, Kate Bock and Rob Gronkowski's GF, Camille Kostek.

WNBA players Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Te’a Cooper, Nneka Ogwumike and DiDi Richards are also in the magazine.

Insane scene at an independent wrestling event in Georgia over the weekend ... a star wrestler was headbutted by a fan -- and the blow was so violent, it ignited a brawl at the venue.

It all went down at the IWE Pro-wrestling show in Augusta on Saturday night ... when independent wrestling star Joe Black was making his way to the ring for his match.

Black appeared to have had a quick, quirky interaction with a fan -- seemingly trying to knock something out of the man's hands -- and then, suddenly, the guy lunged at Black with the crown of his head.

Black was struck near his eye by the man's headbutt -- and that set the wrestler off.

Video shot by other fans in the arena shows Black took multiple swings at the man before security intervened. At one point, it appeared Black ripped the man's shirt.

Eventually -- and, thankfully -- the two guys were separated, and the melee was broken up.

It's unclear if any arrests were made or if cops are investigating -- we've reached out to law enforcement, but so far, no word back yet.

IWE Pro-wrestling, meanwhile, said in a statement after the match, "An unfortunate event happened at the show tonight which will be addressed by IWE personnel."

Awful news ... WWE legend "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan says his cancer has returned -- and both he and his family are "terrified."

The wrestler did add, though, his doctors are "very optimistic that they caught it early."

Duggan had battled the disease for most of 2021 ... needing multiple procedures -- including one in which doctors removed his prostate -- to try to eradicate it. In December, he said medical experts had declared him officially cancer-free.

But, the 68-year-old said in a video message on Sunday that it had returned ... adding, "It's a very terrifying time for me and my family."

Duggan said he's now gearing up to undergo more treatments to try to get rid of the disease ... explaining in his video message he's set to have radiation therapy for eight weeks, five days a week.

"Hacksaw" said doctors are optimistic about the potential results of the treatments, and added they're encouraging him to "go ahead and live life."

"Which we're going to go ahead and do," he said.

"I'm afraid I'm going to make most shows, but some shows, I'm going to have to postpone or cancel," Duggan added. "And, I'm sorry about that, but that's the way it's got to be."

In addition to his 2021 battle with cancer, Duggan also battled the disease in his 40s -- and has dealt with heart problems as well. He did say that fans' support has helped him through it all -- and he's hoping for a similar outcome this year.

"You folks have helped me through an awful, awful lot over the years, many times before," he said. "And, sharing this with you is going to help me get through this. So, thank you."

New York Knicks legend Willis Reed's warmup jacket from Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals -- one of the most famous moments in basketball history -- is about to hit the auction block, and is expected to sell for a huge chunk of change!

TMZ Sports has learned the infamous jacket Reed wore during the "Willis Reed Game" ... as he limped onto the Madison Square Garden court for the deciding contest against the Los Angeles Lakers will soon go to the highest bidder.

Remember, Reed tore his thigh muscle in Game 5 of the series against L.A., and missed Game 6 because of the serious injury.

With Willis out, Wilt Chamberlain went off, dominating the Knicks, and forcing a deciding game 7.

The Knicks appeared to be in big trouble ... as almost no one expected Reed to play in game 7, despite the Knicks being just 4 quarters from a title.

But, after receiving medical treatment on his torn thigh, Reed somehow hobbled onto the court at MSG ... and fans couldn't believe it.

Reed, who was severely limited during the game, scored just 4 points and collected 3 rebounds ... but it was about more than just his contribution to the box score.

Willis, now a College and Basketball Hall of Famer, inspired his teammates with his heroics, leading the Knicks to a game 7 win and an NBA championship.

Fellow Knicks legend Walt "Clyde" Frazier scored 36 points, and dished 19 assists in one of the finest game 7 performances of all-time.

Throughout the historic night, from the time he ran on the court to while he sat on the bench and watched the game, Reed wore his NYK warmup.

Now, that jacket is soon to be available at Grey Flannel Auctions ... with a starting bid of $10K.

The closing price will be significantly more money.

GFA tells us the warmup jacket has been photo-matched to ensure its authenticity. Experts examined several images of Willis in the jacket, including stills from his interview with legendary broadcaster Howard Cosell during the team's championship celebration.

The size "48" and "L" jacket has the Knicks' "NY" logo in orange and blue on the left chest ... and the words "New York" are on the back in the same colors as the front.

Reed's iconic jacket officially goes up for auction on May 16.

Floyd Mayweather remains at the top of Logan Paul's s*** list -- the YouTuber-turned-fighter tells TMZ Sports he STILL hasn't been paid in full for the bout in June ... saying he's out MILLIONS.

It's been 11 months since the social media superstar faced off against Floyd in the ring ... and as each day goes by, Logan is getting more and more upset over the situation.

When we caught up with LP at Hard Rock Cafe in NYC this week, he said he is still fighting to get what he deserves ... and he's done talking -- it's time to see him in court.

"No, he has not paid me in full," Logan tells us. "That is a fact. Short a few mil."

When we asked if he's been trying to talk things over with Floyd's camp, Logan makes it clear it's too late for all that.

"Nah," Paul added. "We're taking this one to court."

"See you in the courtroom. Congrats on going to prison, Floyd."

Remember, the Floyd vs. Logan fight was a big success ... and Logan previously told us in February he was going to take legal action if he didn't get his cut.

A six-game suspension for taking performance-enhancing drugs will not cost DeAndre Hopkins his bust in Canton ... so says Larry Fitzgerald, who tells TMZ Sports the wideout will still be in the Hall of Fame one day.

Larry made the proclamation out at LAX less than two weeks after the NFL announced Hopkins' ban ... telling us he truly believes HOF voters won't hold the positive test over the Cardinals star's head.

Fitz added he doesn't believe the suspension will taint Hopkins' legacy, either.

"He'll still be a Hall of Famer," Fitzgerald said. "He'll work through it. It's just some adversity and, you know, he's a tough guy, resourceful, and he'll work his way through it."

Could Andrew Whitworth pull a Tom Brady and unretire this season?!? According to the former L.A. star offensive lineman -- it's a possibility!!

"You never say never," the 40-year-old told TMZ Sports. "I did learn that. That's for sure."

The left tackle was leaving Craig's earlier this week when he left the door open on a comeback ... doubling down when we asked him if the possibility was really real.

"You never know!" he said.

Whitworth just retired in March -- a month after winning the Super Bowl -- and he appeared to be completely finished with the game at the time.

His comments this week, though, sure make it seem like if Sean McVay gets in a pinch this season ... his phone won't be off!!

Whitworth has been staying in shape, too ... just a couple days ago he posted a workout video and he still looked like a beast.

If a comeback truly isn't in the works, we spoke with Whitworth about potentially getting into broadcasting. And, he's sure hoping Brady's new reported $375 MILLION deal with Fox Sports can help him with a contract if he ultimately jumps into that game.

"Yeah," he told us with a smile. "I would love $375 million! That would be fantastic!"

If you're waiting for Shawn Porter to unretire, you can stop right now ... 'cause the ex-boxing champ tells TMZ Sports he's hung up his boots for good.

Remember, the former 2x welterweight champ retired after his bout with Terence Crawford last November, ending his career with a 31-4-1 (17 KOs) record.

But, since it's been some time since he called it quits, we had to ask the 34-year-old if he's beginning to get the itch to come back.

"Nope! I'm good, man," Porter said with a laugh this week. "I was able to do everything I wanted to do by the time I was 34 in the sport of boxing."

"With that being said, I'm ready to move forward and conquer some other things out there in the world."

SP added, "Boxing is not it anymore for me."

Of course, Porter took his talents from the ring to the broadcasting industry as a boxing analyst ... and he's been super successful there.

Earl Thomas was arrested Friday night in Texas after he was spotted at a bar ... just days after a judge issued a warrant for the former NFL star after the DB was accused of violating a protective order on multiple occasions, TMZ Sports has learned.

We're told the 33-year-old 7x Pro Bowler was taken into custody around 8:30 PM in Orange County, TX by Orange County PD after the agency received a phone call from a bar patron who spotted Thomas in the establishment.

Officers responded, and Thomas was cuffed and taken to the Orange County Jail ... where he currently remains.

Bond has not yet been set, according to online records.

And, because Thomas allegedly contacted the woman multiple times, he could be hit with a third-degree felony -- a charge that can carry a decade-long prison sentence, if convicted.

The bust comes about two weeks after a judge issued a warrant for the former Seahawks star, after Earl allegedly violated a protective order twice in 12 months by threatening a woman and her kids over texts, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Thomas' attorney previously told the local Austin paper his client was simply communicating with his estranged wife about their kids, something he says he is permitted to do under the order.

The original protective order was issued in 2021, when Earl was ordered to only contact his ex using an approved co-parenting app. But, according to the allegation, not only didn't the NFL star use the app, but he also allegedly sent menacing messages, threatening violence.

The arrest comes during a time when Thomas -- the 14th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft -- is attempting to get back into the NFL.

Earl, a 5x All-Pro and Super Bowl champion, hasn't played since the 2019 season when he started 15 games for the Baltimore Ravens.

NFL reporter Dov Kleiman was first to report the arrest.

Pacman Jones says he's siding with Antonio Brown on at least one thing from the wideout's Colin Kaepernick rant ... telling TMZ Sports he, too, has questions about Kaep's charity work.

Speaking with us out at LAX just a few days after Brown ripped Kaep, Jones -- who actually watched Kaepernick throw last month and then had a sitdown interview with the quarterback -- said he also isn't entirely sure what Kaepernick has done for his community since settling his lawsuit with the NFL back in 2019.

"As far as the community part, I think AB is right," Jones said. "We haven't heard anything that Kaep did for the community or given back to the community after the settlement."

You'll recall, Brown wondered out loud in a conversation with "Cigar Talk" about Kaepernick's foundation and its results ... saying, "I'm being real. What superhero he enforce? Who he put on? Who he help?"

Jones is clearly wondering the same thing ... telling us straight-up, "That part of the question, I do think AB is right."

As for the rest of Brown's thoughts on Colin -- Pacman did appear to disagree with the NFL free agent on most of those.

The former Tennessee Titans superstar told us after watching Kaepernick practice for 2.5 hours in April, he doesn't think the QB is "trash" like Brown does. In fact, Jones said Kaepernick's arm talent is still certainly there.

Jones also told us, unlike Brown, he believes Kaepernick does still have a desire to play.

"I just think it's hard for a guy to fairytale for 2.5 hours, three hours every day throwing the ball if you don't want to play," Jones said. "I think he wants to play. Do he deserve to play? That's another question. But, do he want to play? I do think he wants to play."

Jermell and Jermall Charlo vs Jake and Logan Paul?!

Not happening, according to Jermell, who tells TMZ Sports the Paul bros ain't on the Charlo bros level right now, but, absolutely no shade here ... 'cause the light-middleweight champ says he's actually a big fan of what they're doing in the sport.

"I f**k with the Paul Brothers."

"I like what they're doing. Let them keep boxing and keep going. They're gaining experience in boxing right now. They're doing what they're supposed to do. They're doing what legacy makers are doing and that's why I feel like the Paul Brothers, they're gonna keep on doing what they doing and making big money in boxing and making money on YouTube."

In fact, Jermell says other fighters could -- and should -- learn from Jake and Logan.

"Boxers need to learn from that s**t, bro."

Of course, the Paul bros, and particularly Jake, have taken the boxing world by storm. Jake is 5-0 professionally.

Jake has beaten fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, before taking on 2x Slam Dunk champ and all-around incredible athlete, Nate Robinson. Paul flatlined the 5'8" hooper on the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. undercard ... and that's when his popularity exploded.

The Problem Child then beat former MMA champ Ben Askren ... putting the wrestling legend on the canvas.

Then, it was time for his biggest test by far ... MMA legend and future UFC Hall of Famer, Tyron Woodley, whom Jake beat twice, culminating in one of the most brutal knockouts of the year.

As for Logan ... he fought KSI twice. The first fight was a draw, and Paul lost the rematch (LP received an unusually harsh penalty during the fight which affected the result).

So, pretty impressive. But, Jermell and Jermall are two of the top boxers in the world right now. We talked about Jermell's titles ... and he isn't the only one in the fam with belts. Jermall is a former two-weight class world champion.

Speaking of brothers ... we asked Jermell if he'd ever fight his twin, Jermall. The short answer? Nope.

But, what about for a lot of money? Nope.

"I don't care about no money like that. I got enough money man, life is great. Never put my hands on my brother," Jermell told us.

There's more.

We also talked to Jermell -- who is fighting undefeated boxer Brian Castano Saturday night on Showtime -- about Canelo Alvarez's recent loss to Dmitry Bivol, and what it means for the Mexican boxing legend's legacy.

Sorry NASCAR and IndyCar fans -- Daniel Ricciardo says he's already got his plans lined up after he retires from Formula 1 ... and it doesn't include racing in the U.S.

TMZ Sports spoke with the McLaren driver out in West Hollywood this week ... and asked if he'd ever take his talents to the States full-time when he's all done tearing it up in F1.

Of course, Daniel is only 32 ... and Sebastian Vettel (34), Lewis Hamilton (37), and Fernando Alonso (40) are all still doing their thing on the track this year.

But, Ricciardo got people talking recently ... when he jokingly said he was delaying his retirement after F1 announced the Las Vegas Grand Prix would debut in 2023.

The guy was clearly just having a laugh, but it put the thought into fans' heads that maybe he was considering hanging up the helmet soon.

While Ricciardo says he's a huge fan NASCAR and American racing, he says he intends to enjoy his time away from behind the wheel.

Iggy Azalea's obsession with Zillow has also translated to the real world ... she just found a buyer for her Hidden Hills home.

Azalea, who has said the home buying and listing website is her "actual addiction" ... has accepted an offer for her 5-bedroom, 5-bath pad for $5.949 million -- slightly less than the $6.2 million she listed it for back in January -- but a nice little bump from the $5.2 million she paid less than a year ago.

The home is perfect for entertaining, with a giant backyard and swimming pool ... not to mention a playground and basketball court. And, it's Kardashian-adjacent!

Funny enough, shortly after listing the home, Iggy tweeted, "I keep selling my house so I have an excuse to Zillow. I'm obsessed. It's my actual addiction." Seattle Seahawks star receiver, Tyler Lockett, who got his real estate license in the offseason, even offered his services to help her find her next home.

Besides her obsession with Zillow, another reason Iggy could have been looking to sell was to get away from her neighbor. Right after moving in last year, she was already feuding with them over renovations.

Jan Blachowicz says he forgot to bring his "legendary Polish power" with him last time he stepped foot in the Octagon ... something he says will NOT happen when he fights UFC star Aleksandar Rakic Saturday in Las Vegas, telling TMZ Sports he's gunning for a knockout.

We talked to the 39-year-old former light heavyweight champ -- now the #1 ranked contender -- just days before his scrap with 30-year-old Rakic, the #3 ranked fighter. A win could earn either fighter a title shot, and Jan knows it.

"I'm very hungry, you know, because I lost something I love. I lost my treasure and I want to get this belt back," Blachowicz said ... "I need to. I want to defeat Aleksandar and be the next contender for the title. First of all, Saturday, Aleksandar, his chin and that's it."

Of course, Jan was defeated by now champ Glover Teixeira via rear-naked choke at UFC 267 in October 2021. It was a difficult pill to swallow for Jan, who never really got going in the fight.

But, the man known for his knockout-inducing power is ready to show he still packs a punch in the cage.

"I see my punches they are clean, they are powerful that I knock him out. This is what I see, this is what I want to do. I want to knock him out. I want to punch him with all my legendary Polish power out on him. This time I won't forget my legendary Polish power."

Jan knows Aleksandar -- who has only lost one time since 2012 -- is a very tough opponent.

"He tough guy, young guy, powerful with dynamic style, powerful kicks, good wrestling, good control on ground, so it's gonna be tough fight. I'm ready for tough fight."

Now, as you'd expect, Rakic has a different vision of how the fight will play out.

The 14-2 star says he plans to beat Jan, and then fight the winner of Glover and Jiri Prochazka ... who are set to fight on June 11 at UFC 275.