TMZ Sports - Page 50

San Diego police want to talk to Kobe Byrant about the alleged tussle he had with another man in church ... over a cell phone picture.

Kobe was reportedly in the St. Therese of Carmel Church in Carmel Valley this past Sunday when he allegedly grabbed the phone out of a man's hand.

According to KCBS-TV in Los Angeles -- which first reported the incident -- Kobe thought the man was using the phone to take pics of Kobe and his wife ... but did not find any photos on the phone.

Shaquille O'Neal is giving the movie biz another shot -- yes, even after "Kazaam" and "Steel" -- and this time he wants to be a director!

Shaq is about to complete the Filmmaking Conservatory at the New York Film Academy's branch at Universal Studios Hollywood. Shaq's been very hands-on during directing and cinematography classes -- walking his crew through stunts (above photo) ... and shooting on the studio's famous back lot (see the video below).

According to the school, Shaq has been "incredibly humble, funny, and likable" ... or just the usual Shaq.

How big do they make those director's chairs anyway?

Shaquille O'Neal wants the court to toss out a lawsuit accusing him of masterminding kidnap and murder plots because the accuser -- Robert Ross -- filed his lawsuit too late.

Shaq's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss today in Federal Court. TMZ obtained the documents in which Shaq denies the allegations made by Ross -- a former gang member -- and says, "if this case ever proceeded ... Plaintiff would be further exposed for the perjurer that he is."

The motion also claims the longest statute of limitations -- 3 years -- had long expired by the time Ross filed his lawsuit last month.

If the motion is granted, it would be the second legal blow to Ross. Last week, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office dropped a criminal case because it lost confidence in Ross as a reliable witness ... when he admitted he lied about having a sex tape of Shaq.

Christy Martin vows she will never fight in California again, because the California State Athletic Commission just refused to overturn what she called a sexist decision in her last fight.

The commission met moments ago in L.A. and heard testimony about the referee's decision to stop Christy's June fight against Dakota Stone, after the fight doctor determined Christy's hand was too injured to keep fighting. Christy's lawyer, Gloria Allred, had argued the ref would never have stopped the fight if men were in the ring.

The commission refused to overturn the decision -- so Christy now swears ... she will NEVER fight in California ever again.

Dakota Stone, the boxer who defeated Christy Martin, thinks she whupped Christy fair and square -- and no matter what Gloria Allred says in a news conference ... the proof is on tape for everyone to see.

Dakota's manager Mathis Hill tells TMZ -- Christy was the crowd favorite, but not the clear winner -- and adds, "The ref only called the fight because Christy turned her back and ran from the fight to go to a neutral corner."

As for Christy and Gloria's news conference this morning ... calling the ref's decision to stop the fight sexist ... Mathis says "the whole thing is a bunch of bull."

Watch the fight clip below -- decide for yourselves.

Will Smith beat the holy hell out of his kickboxing instructor recently -- crushing a training bag with MULTIPLE devastating shin strikes -- and TMZ has obtained the shockingly intense footage.

According to sources, Will is in the market for a new gym -- and had stopped by Brazen Boxing & MMA in Philadelphia earlier this week just to scope the place out.

Will stayed for a 20-minute MMA training session -- with badass Bellator fighter Jamall "X Factor" Johnson -- and we're told ... the actor's an EXTREMELY quick learner.

Christy Martin, the women's Super Welterweight Boxing Champ, is taking a shot at the California State Athletic Commission, claiming the organization is sexist and she lost what would have been her 50th victory as a result.

Christy fought Dakota Stone last June at the Staples Center in L.A. Christy was ahead in points with 51 seconds left in the fight, when the referee stopped the fight and gave the victory to Stone.

The ref felt Christy couldn't continue because her hand was injured, but Christy's lawyer, Gloria Allred doesn't see it that way. Gloria claims all Christy did was "momentarily wince," and she wanted to continue, and the decision to stop the bout is "an unfair and sexist double standard" -- i.e., a ref would never have stopped a fight under the same circumstances if the boxers were male.

It's kind of ironic -- last November, Christy's then husband allegedly tried to murder her by stabbing her, shooting her and pistol whipping her, yet the ref stopped the bout over what Gloria says was a wimpy hand injury.

10:35 AM: Gloria and Christy just took on the Athletic Commission in a news conference outside the Ronald Reagan State Building in L.A. -- DEMANDING the commission reverse the decision.

Interesting point -- Christy admits her hand was broken during the fight ... in NINE PLACES.

Charlie Sheen spent his Sunday afternoon doing what he loves the most -- no, not that ... he played baseball at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Sheen was taking batting practice with a few of his friends when he says he ruptured the ulnar nerve in his elbow. He can barely grip the bat now and it kept him from hitting any out of the yard.

One of the GREATEST YANKEES OF ALL-TIME has been thrust into the middle of a showdown between two HUGE baseball card companies ... TMZ has learned.

The Topps Company has filed a lawsuit in NY against Leaf Trading Cards -- claiming Leaf is using ICONIC Topps baseball cards -- including the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card -- to promote a new Leaf product.

It's sorta weird -- Leaf has a new line of cards called "2011 Best of Baseball" ... and in every pack, collectors will get 1 new, original Leaf card and 1 bonus card which, depending on your luck, could be a pre-1970 card featuring a Hall-of-Famer.

According to the lawsuit, Leaf put together a promotional ad (above) featuring some of the bonus cards -- which include the Mantle card, a 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson, a 1972 Topps Carlton Fisk card and more.

Topps claims it had warned Leaf about a similar incident in 2010 ... but now, Topps' patience has run out ... and it wants Leaf to pay up. Topps is suing for unspecified damages AND it wants a judge to force Leaf to STOP using Topps cards to promote Leaf products.

NBA star Kendrick Perkins was arrested in Beaumont, TX this morning for public intoxication and disorderly conduct ... TMZ has learned.

Perkins -- who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder -- was booked into Jefferson County Jail at around 4:00 AM. According to the jail, he posted $251 bond and was released shortly thereafter.

The charges are both misdemeanors.

According to one report, fellow NBAer Stephen Jackson was arrested as well -- but a jail employee told TMZ he was NOT taken into custody or booked on any charges.

Perkins was reportedly in town for a charity basketball game, but that was canceled after Perkins was in the hospital briefly Thursday night for what was thought to be food poisoning.

Carmelo Anthony doesn't have to worry about his wife La La Vazquez ever belittling his manhood -- because Thursday night outside of Osteria Mozza, La La assured us that Melo doesn't have the same problem Kelsey Grammer's ex says he suffers from.

Olympic speed skating hunk Apolo Ohno showed off his golden muscles on a topless run through Brentwood on Wednesday.

NFL legend Ray Guy -- widely considered the GREATEST punter of ALL-TIME -- has been forced to sell off his three SUPER BOWL rings after filing for bankruptcy back in the spring.

61-year-old Guy -- a seven-time Pro Bowler -- banked a total of $80,100 for the three rings he earned during his 14-year NFL career ... two while the Raiders were in Oakland ... and one after the team moved to Los Angeles.

The rings (pictured above) were purchased by an unidentified buyer through an L.A. auction house.

Gerard Butler is on his way to getting that "300" body back.

The 41-year-old flashed his shredded torso while in the locker room of the Celtic soccer team in Glasgow on Tuesday.

As if Gerard needed any more help scoring with the ladies.

David Beckham & Cristiano Ronaldo be damned ... because Argentinian soccer stud Lionel Messi has been called the best soccer player in the world ... and he just may have the best body too.

The 24-year-old FC Barcelona star showed off his toned, hairless physique -- and his tan line -- while on a yacht in Ibiza on Tuesday.

Kobe Bryant sent a strong message to the Lakers last week -- showing the team he isn't being reckless with his body during the NBA lockout ... by treating himself to a FABULOUS mani/pedi.

The injury-riddled superstar -- who's considering playing pro basketball in either Turkey or China this upcoming season -- rolled over to the Happy Nails salon in Newport Beach on August 2 ... where he got some serious attention on his shooting hand.

Kobe appeared to be real pleased with the final product ... admiring the ladies' handiwork from behind his over-sized sunglasses.

How cuticle.