Manny Pacquiao -- I'm the Victim of a 'Shakedown'
Manny Pacquiao says his former business partners are simply envious of his recent $15 million boxing payday -- and that's why they concocted a scheme to sue him over a busted record deal ... this according to new legal docs.
Pacquiao is firing back at RBM Group International -- claiming their $10 million lawsuit against him for allegedly backing out of a 12 song record deal is nothing more than a "shakedown."
In the documents, obtained by TMZ, Manny claims RBM was supposed to pay him $160k up front -- but he only got a check for $40,000 ... and therefore he has no legal obligation to make an album.
But the best part of the lawsuit -- Manny's lawyer quotes the Archbishop of Constantinople ... who said, "As a moth gnaws a garment, so doth envy consume a man."
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Kobe Bryant & Prez Obama -- One-on-One?
When the L.A. Lakers take their talents to D.C. to meet President Obama next week they'll follow in LeBron James' footsteps -- holding the summit at a Boys and Girls Club ... TMZ has learned.
According to sources close to the Lakers ... Kobe Bryant and co. will hook up with the Prez at a Washington, D.C. area B&G Club -- yet to be named -- instead of their usual stop at the White House.
You'll remember LeBron (in)famously announced he was leaving Cleveland at a B&G Club.
Now, we know most B&G clubs have basketball courts ... and we know how much Obama loves b-ball -- so, could a one-on-one showdown be in the works? Lakers reps are tight-lipped about the meeting.
But we're thinking Kobe might want to lace up his Nikes.
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Urban Meyer to Florida: See Ya Later, Gators
Urban Meyer has just stepped down as the head football coach at the University of Florida ... where he won two national championships since he took the job in 2005.
It's unclear why Meyer quit the Florida gig -- but his most famous alum, Tim Tebow, is now coachless over in Denver.
We're just sayin ...
Mayweather Accuser -- The Face-Poked Damage
Here it is -- photos of the carnage Floyd Mayweather allegedly caused with a poke of his finger ... during a crazy encounter with a security guard last month.
TMZ obtained these pics -- taken moments after private security guard Shayne Smith claimed Floyd poked him in the cheekbone during a parking dispute in the boxer's private Las Vegas community.
As we first reported, Smith told police that he placed citations on two of Floyd's cars -- which angered Mayweather so much, that he grabbed one of the citations and slammed it on Smith's patrol vehicle (pictured above right).
We're told Smith is still employed by the private security company -- but he's been shifted to a different patrol area to avoid another incident with Floyd.
Mayweather was officially charged with misdemeanor battery -- he's due in court in February.
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The Miz -- Laying the Smack Down on 'TMZ on TV'
Newly crowned WWE world champ The Miz has stormed into the newsroom to host today's "TMZ on TV" -- and it's already getting INTENSE!!
Dude even brought his own sippy cup -- you don't wanna miss this!
Check your local listings.
Mayweather Charged with Battery for Face Poking
Floyd Mayweather has been charged with criminal battery in Nevada for allegedly -- and this is serious -- poking a man in the cheekbone with his finger ... TMZ has learned.
TMZ has obtained the criminal complaint -- in which cops say a private security officer named Shayne Smith told officers Mayweather went ballistic outside of his Las Vegas home on November 15 after Smith placed parking citations on two of Floyd's cars.
According to the documents, Smith alleges Mayweather screamed that the guard had "no f*cking business" touching his personal property -- before the boxer grabbed a citation from one of his cars and slapped it on Smith's patrol vehicle.
The document continues, "While lambasting Smith, Mayweather was allegedly jabbing his finger into the left side of Smith's cheek just below his eye. This willful and unlawful use of force and violence upon Smith caused redness and discoloration to the area which was battered by Mayweather."
Smith claims he drove out of the area to "de-escalate" the situation, immediately notified his boss ... and then took photos of his bruised up cheek.
So far, no comment from Floyd's camp.
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L.A. Dodgers -- McCourt Agreement Invalid
A judge has just thrown out a marital agreement that would have made Frank McCourt the sole owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers ... but that's not the end of the story.
TMZ has learned the core of Judge Scott Gordon's ruling is that the post-marital agreement that Jamie and Frank McCourt signed -- making Frank the sole owner of the team -- was invalid because there was no "meeting of the minds" between the former couple.
In essence the judge was saying that Frank and Jamie never had a joint understanding of what it meant when title to the team was transferred solely to Frank.
Lawrence Taylor -- Signs Autograph Before Rape Case
Lawrence Taylor just made his way into court to deal with his ongoing statutory rape case -- but not before signing an autograph for a NY Giants fan!
As we previously reported, Taylor -- who was arrested back in May for allegedly performing a sex act with a 16-year-old prostitute -- pled not guilty in July to charges of rape, criminal sexual act, sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, and patronizing a prostitute.
UPDATE 7:45 AM PT: LT's lawyer filed a motion today stating the rape indictment should be dismissed because cops didn't have a warrant when they arrested LT.
They're due back in court on January 6.
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UFC Star Loses Fight -- Parties with Black Eye
He took a pounding in the ring -- but right after UFCer Michael Johnson lost in "The Ultimate Fighter" finale match this weekend ... dude nursed his swollen wounds with a night out in Vegas.
Johnson took his black eye out for a round at Vanity nightclub at the Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday night with fellow UFC badass Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
Thanks to our friends at SpyOnVegas.com for the shots.
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Brett Favre Accuser -- Going Public with 'Evidence'?
If the NFL doesn't come down on Brett Favre for his alleged sexting scandal -- his accuser might go public with an "overabundance of evidence" ... this according to her manager.
Favre could get word any day now about potential punishment for allegedly sending Jenn Sterger photos of his penis while he was with the New York Jets ... and she was working as the team's stadium host.
Sterger's manager, Phil Reese, believes she "provided extensive evidence that irrefutably proves there was harassment" -- and adds, "No matter what happens Jenn has all legal remedies, including going public ... if the NFL doesn't clear her name."
Reese thinks an NFL reprimand of the Vikings QB would go a long way toward changing public opinion of Sterger.
Sterger's camp insists she has more evidence than the photos that have already come out. Reese adds, "We sincerely hope the league does the right thing."
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SF Mayor Gets Ribbed
After winning a World Series bet, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom enjoyed a mouthful of Texas barbecue ... compliments of Arlington, TX Mayor Robert Cluck.
As TMZ first reported, Newsom and Cluck both agreed to ship the winning mayor a bunch of local delicious treats. Since the Giants beat the Rangers, Cluck sent over a spread from Spring Creek BBQ ... which Newsom's office thoroughly enjoyed a few days ago.
On top of the finger-lickin' food, we're told Cluck will travel to San Fran on Dec 15th to fulfill the rest of the bet -- doing community service in a Giants jersey.
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TMZ Live -- Michael Jackson, Oprah, & Tiger Woods
We'll be taking your questions on everything today -- including Michael Jackson's new album, Tiger Woods blowing his lead during a tournament this weekend, and Alexis Neiers in big trouble.
Plus: Is Oprah getting soft?
'Monday Night Football' Announcer -- Dead at 72
"Monday Night Football" legend Don Meredith -- one of the original members of the "MNF" broadcasting team -- died yesterday after suffering a brain hemorrhage and lapsing into a coma.
Meredith -- who played quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the '60s -- joined Keith Jackson and Howard Cosell in the "MNF" broadcast booth in 1971.
He was 72.
Don's wife says a private ceremony will be held at the burial site in New Mexico.
Shane Mosley Divorce -- Dude Makes $650k per Month
Apparently, there's still money to be made in boxing -- because Sugar Shane Mosley pulled $650,000 per MONTH in 2010 ... this according to legal docs filed in his divorce case.
Mosley was just ordered to pay his soon-to-be ex-wife Jin Mosley a whopping $20,000 per month in support starting this month ... plus he's got to shell out an extra $60,000 for the past three months.
According to the docs, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Jin claims she needs the cash to pay for several monthly expenses like:
-- Clothes ................................................................$5,073
-- Jewelry ................................................................ $1,666
-- Cosmetics, beauty ........................................... $2,000
-- Massage therapist ........................................... $360
-- Personal trainer ................................................ $720
The couple was also ordered to sell their Southern California mansion ASAP so they can divvy up the cash from that deal.
Mosley did get one minor victory -- the judge ruled he's allowed to keep his 2006 H3.
The man appreciates a good Hummer.
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NASCAR Driver -- I Got Stiffed By Extenze
NASCAR badass Robby Gordon claims he was used and abused by the people who make Extenze -- claiming he put their logo on a car he owned ... but instead of paying him, they gave him the shaft.
Gordon claims the company behind the penis pills agreed to fork over a ton of cash if Robby -- who owns a race car team -- would splash the logo on a car operated by his driver Kevin Conway at NASCAR events in October and November.
But when Kevin was in danger of falling out of the prestigious top 35 ranked cars -- Robby asked the Extenze people if he could personally drive the Extenze car instead.
In his lawsuit, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, Gordon claims the Extenze people initially agreed to the deal ... so he made the switch.
It was only after the races, Gordon claims, that Extenze refused to pay him citing breach of contract because he got in the driver's seat instead of Kevin.
Now, Gordon wants Extenze to pay him at least $690,000 to, ahem, straighten things out.
Mark Wahlberg I Could Knock Out Manny Pacquiao
Mark Wahlberg claims he's had so much real-life fighting experience -- he could knock out Manny Pacquiao ... if he could catch the dude with a suckerpunch.
Wahlberg was on the "Dan Patrick Show" this morning -- where he revealed that he "clocked" a guy in a L.A. nightclub recently ... and "fish hooked" some guy's eye socket during a rumble at a Patriots-Jets football game a few years ago. Crazy violent stuff.
But the most shocking part -- Wahlberg, who trained as a boxer for his new movie "The Fighter" -- thinks he could K.O. Manny Pacquiao ... if he could land a suckerpunch to the side of his head.
Wahlberg explains, "If I can choke him and wrestle him than that's it ... but I don't want to be, you know, getting picked apart by him ... that's not a good call."