TMZ Sports - Page 50

LET'S GO CHAMP!!!

2-time heavyweight champ Shannon Briggs just told "TMZ Sports" hes' FINALLY getting his fight with Wladimir Klitschko ... after roughly TWO YEARS of chasing the guy down around the globe!

The Cleveland Browns say they're "disappointed" in Johnny Manziel for hitting the club scene during the team's bye week ... and have demoted him from starter to 3rd string QB.

Browns head coach Mike Pettine issued a statement saying, "Josh McCown will be the starting quarterback on Monday night against the Ravens."

"I’m especially disappointed in his actions and behavior because he has been working very hard. The improvements from last year to this year have been tremendous but he still has to consistently demonstrate that he has gained a good understanding of what it takes to be successful at the quarterback position on this level."

"Everyone in this organization wants what is best for Johnny just like we do for every player in our locker room. It goes well beyond the field. We are going to continue to support him in every way possible, but at this point, we’ve decided it’s best to go with Josh as the starter going forward.”

As we previously reported, Manziel hit up at least two clubs in Austin, TX on Thursday and Friday -- partying with bottles of champagne.

It was clearly concerning to Browns brass considering Manziel entered treatment earlier this year after a hard partying streak.

The Pittsburgh Steelers know just how to take a break from the violent game of the NFL ... shoot things in the face together.

A group of guys led by former Steeler and avid bird hunter Brett Keisel ... took a team bonding trip to pheasant hunt recently, complete with dogs, guns and camo.

Cam Heyward, David DeCastro, Cody Wallace, Matt Spaeth, and James Harrison all participated ... and by the looks of the pictures Harrison posted to his Instagram ... they could have just scared the damn things to death.

Aim true, fellas.

Jay Z doesn't screw around when it comes to bets -- 'cause he's ALREADY forked over the $100k he lost to Oscar De La Hoya in their big boxing bet ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Jay bet Oscar a cool $100k that his Roc Nation Sports fighter Miguel Cotto would beat Oscar's Golden Boy Promotions fighter Canelo Alvarez during their big bout this past weekend.

Canelo won ... and now, we've confirmed that Jay has already paid up.

Oscar tells TMZ Sports the money was wired over immediately ... and will be used to help people at an L.A. hospital.

"Thanks to Jay Z, thousands of patients at White Memorial Medical Center will also be winners." Oscar says ... "I don’t imagine [Jay's] excited about losing $100k, but he can take some comfort in knowing that it’s going to a good cause."

Pretty cool stuff.

10:58 AM PT -- More sad news ... Serena just announced her beloved Jackie has passed away.

Williams wrote a touching note about her dog ... saying, "My special friend in which I got at 17 (2 weeks before I won my very first Grand Slam) left me today."

Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes just entered a NOT GUILTY plea in his domestic violence case -- in which he's accused of choke-slamming his wife during a dispute in Hawaii.

Reyes was arrested on October 31st after officials say he grabbed his wife by the throat in their hotel at the Four Seasons in Maui and slammed her into a sliding glass door.

His wife was hospitalized with injuries to her face, leg and neck.

Reyes was released on $1,000 bail ... and barred from having contact with his wife for 3 days.

Reyes was formally charged with abuse against a family member. If convicted, Reyes faces a minimum of 48 hours in jail.

The 32-year-old was NOT present in the Maui courthouse when his lawyer entered the plea.

He's due back in court in January.

More photo evidence from Johnny Manziel's party weekend -- this time, a pic of the Cleveland Browns QB at RIO nightclub in Austin, TX on Thursday night.

Same hat. Same mustache. Same bracelets as he was wearing in the champagne video from the next night.

Sources in the club tell us Johnny was behaving himself -- not doing anything crazy.

We spoke with a staff member at the RIO who confirmed Manziel was at the bar on Thursday night.

Johnny Manziel's party weekend may have cost him his starting job ... with Browns coach Mike Pettine saying he's not ready to commit to Johnny as the #1 guy on Sunday.

Pettine just spoke to the media about the TMZ Sports footage of Manziel partying Friday night at an Austin nightclub with bottles of champagne.

Pettine says the Browns are still investigating the situation -- but admits he's disappointed in Manziel.

"I can't stand here and say it's not disappointing," Pettine said ... noting the whole thing was "frustrating."

Pettine says he'll have more information on the QB situation in Cleveland Wednesday.

Ronda Rousey didn't just have a lot on her plate when she was gearing up to fight Holly Holm -- she had a "full table" with movies, a book and endless PR work ... so says UFC announcer Bruce Buffer.

Bruce -- the voice of the UFC -- wouldn't go as far to blame Ronda's loss on all of the distractions ... but he admits you can't give 100% of your focus to the Octagon with so much going outside of it.

So, what'll happen if Ronda cuts out all of the other stuff and dedicates ALL OF HER LIFE to beating up Holly in the rematch?

Smells like a reconciliation for Michael Sam ... 'cause the football player was out in L.A. with his ex-fiance this week ... and TMZ Sports has the video!

We didn't even realize it at first ... but upon further inspection you can totally see Vito Cammisano leave Craig's restaurant with Sam and get into his waiting SUV on the way to the nearby Nice Guy bar.

Sam and Vito were hanging with male model Shaun Ross that night ... and later in the evening, Ross and Vito posed for a pic together.

Sam and Vito split back in June -- just 6 months after the two got engaged during a romantic couples trip to Italy.

The two came together to shoot an anti-bullying video last month ... and it may have been the beginning of a reconciliation.

No word how serious they are -- considering they went out with a 3rd wheel -- but it seems like they're headed in the right direction.

It doesn't matter that they're 17 POINT UNDERDOGS, the Lakers will shock the best team in the NBA tonight and BEAT THE WARRIORS ... for real ... so says Aries Spears.

"The sun shines on a dog's ass baby ... and the Lakers got their booty in the air."

The former "Mad TV" star says it's just a matter of time before Golden State starts racking up the Ls ... and says any comparison to the legendary '96 Chicago Bulls team is just plain ridiculous.

Ladies and gentlemen, can we please have your attention?

We've just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story ... and we need all of you to stop what you're doing and listen.

CANNONBALL!!!

This is how Dale Earnhardt Jr. kicked off his 3 month hiatus after missing the cut to race for the championship on Sunday ... a cannonball off a second story balcony.

Good form.

See you in Daytona.

Holly Holm says she's down to be post beatdown pals with Ronda Rousey ... but as far as Christmas is concerned ... the Rowdy one shouldn't be expecting anything under the tree from the new UFC queen.

Holly was out in NYC -- still glowing with victory -- when our guy got in some questions about the post fight relationship between her and Rousey ... basically, will there be one?

The two ladies seemed cool during the promotion for the fight ... but things got a little testy those last couple days following a scuffle at the pre-fight weigh in.

Check out the clip -- Holly leaves the door open for her and Ronda to pal around in the future ... but as for this holiday season ... it looks like she's going to skip being Rousey's Secret Santa.

It's okay, Ronda ... Holly's given you so much already ... feet, elbows, defeats ...

Donald Trump has been warned -- pop off again about Ronda Rousey, and you just might have to deal with UFC champ Conor McGregor!

The featherweight title holder was at LAX Monday, talking about a Ronda comeback -- whether she can get her title back from Holly Holm when they inevitably square off in a rematch.

Conor has some good advice for Rousey, but he really got his ire up when the camera guy asked about Trump taking potshots at Ronda. After the loss, the candidate said she's "not a nice person."

The old Johnny Manziel is back ... and that's not necessarily a good thing.

TMZ Sports has obtained footage of the Cleveland Browns quarterback raging at a nightclub in Austin, TX on Friday night with a bottle of Dom in his hand ... the second night of a back-to-back bender.

If you're wondering how Bradley Cooper gets his rock hard bod and lands hot chick after hot chick, this video of him with his boxing gloves on pretty much explains it.

Brad got some pointers in the ring from a trainer Monday morning while working out at Gotham Gym in NYC. It looks like he's really learning the tricks of the trade, especially the ole stick and move.

We looked, and he doesn't appear to have any boxing roles in the works ... so this could just be him getting a jump on his holiday calorie burn -- or a way to impress a new chick.