TMZ Sports - Page 50

It's like a real-life version of "The Wire" ... NBA star Richard Jefferson says he was taken for $2 MILLION ... and played a key role in a covert FBI operation to catch the (alleged) bad guy and recover his cash.

It's all part of new legal docs obtained by TMZ Sports ... in which the 34-year-old Dallas Mavericks forward claims his former business manager Ted Kritza drew $2 million from Richard's bank credit line without permission.

Jefferson says he reported the crime to the FBI which launched an investigation -- an investigation that included RJ getting Kritza on the phone and secretly recording a conversation.

During the phone call, RJ says Kritza "confesses to wrong-doing" ... and the incriminating recording is now with the feds.

BTW -- the bank ended up suing Jefferson for part of the money ... but he wants the court to press pause on that case until the federal investigation into Kritza runs it's course.

Laila Ali has ANOTHER big weapon in her corner if she REALLY wants to fight Ronda Rousey -- UFC legend Randy Couture ... who tells TMZ Sports she needs to focus on ground and pound to beat RR.

The UFC Hall of Famer -- who got some MMA coaching experience under his belt on "The Ultimate Fighter" -- says Laila already knows how to box (she's undefeated) but would need a crash course in wrestling ... and he's the perfect guy to help.

As we previously reported, Laila and Ronda exchanged some smack talk about a possible bout -- but so far, they have yet to schedule a real fight.

Marshawn Lynch went beast mode Friday night trying to break up a fight incited by a Seattle Seahawks hater.

Marshawn and his crew were leaving a San Francisco bar when a drunk guy taunted the running back, repeatedly calling him a "Seattle Sea Chicken."

Someone in Marshawn's crew snapped and a melee erupted. You see Marshawn in a white cap trying to pull one of his friends away from the guy. An eyewitness tells us Marshawn got in a few punches before walking away.

Evander Holyfield won 54 professional fights, beat Mike Tyson twice (although he did lose an ear) and is the only 4-time heavyweight champion in boxing history.

Now just imagine what he could've done if his heart was in it ...

We'll never know ... cause "The Real Deal" tells TMZ Sports boxing was actually his SECOND choice for athletic greatness as a kid, with his real passion lying on the gridiron.

Holyfield was out in NYC when we asked him about the latest dominant athlete in the family -- his son Elijah -- a HS football stud with offers from huge college programs like USC, Florida, and Auburn.

Check out the clip -- Holyfield told us that he's not at all miffed that his son chose football over the sweet science and says he might have done the same at his age ... except the coaches told him he was too small.

Manny Pacquiao has just pulled the trigger on Diddy's former Beverly Hills mansion -- TMZ Sports has learned he's officially buying the $12.5 million estate ... AND EVERYTHING INSIDE OF IT!

We broke the story ... Pacman fell in love with the 10,000 square foot pad as soon as he stepped on the property last weekend -- and now our real estate sources say he made the quick decision to buy.

But there was a catch ... Manny wanted to move FAST -- demanding a lightning fast escrow period so his massive Filipino family has a place to stay when they come to L.A. for the fight.

In fact, Manny's in such a rush ... he worked out a deal to get the house fully furnished with the furniture, art and appliances that are currently inside the place.

And get this -- the owners have even agreed to STOCK THE WET BAR for Pacman as part of the deal. Baller stuff.

As we previously reported, Diddy lived in the house in the late '90s (back when he was Puff Daddy) ... and sold it in 2001. The place is sick -- with 7 bedroom, 7.5 baths and a crazy $200,000 home theater.

Perfect for family karaoke nights.

Wladimir Klitschko:
Age: 38
Weight: 246 lbs
Size: 6'6"

Charlie the Alligator:
Age: 10-ish
Weight: 200 lbs
Size: 9'0"

It was boxer vs. man-eater at the Gator Park in Miami, Florida this week ... when Hayden Panettiere's baby daddy got up close and personal with a live male alligator ... and TMZ Sports has the pics.

It's unclear why a guy whose hands are worth SO MUCH MONEY would put his fists near the mouth of a gator ... but we're told he was with a German TV crew that was shooting for some sort of reality-ish show about Klitschko's life.

We spoke with a rep for Charlie the Alligator (his trainer Tom) who tells us, "He had complete control over the alligator for about a minute and a half."

Turns out, gators pack one hell of a punch when they chomp down ... but the muscles that OPEN their jaws are super-weak, which is why Tom allowed Wlad to put his hands on Charlie's face.

"I'm sure it is uncomfortable for someone who is doing it for the first time, but he was brave."

The heroic middle school basketball players who rushed to the aid of a girl with Down syndrome as she was being bullied DURING their game ... are receiving the highest honor given to a citizen in their city ... TMZ Sports has learned.

In case you missed the awesome story ... the boys basketball team at Lincoln Middle School in Kenosha, WI confronted a bully who was tormenting Desiree Andrews, who serves as a cheerleader for the team.

On Monday, the whole team will receive a medal and a commendation signed by the mayor and the police chief for their "heroic act of kindness." Chief John Morrissey tells TMZ Sports the honor is rare. The last two honorees had rescued people from a major car crash, and another helped capture a man who allegedly killed his own child.

Chief Morrissey tells TMZ Sports, "The PD and the mayor are impressed that as seventh graders, these kids were smart enough to recognize they needed to stand up for what’s right."

Desiree will be at the ceremony as well, where she will receive a commendation for "standing tall and proud even when you were being bullied."

Amber Rose partying with Ryan Lochte?!?!?

JEAH!!!!

Amber and the Team USA Olympic swimmer were spending some time together last night at the Atlantis in the Bahamas ... where Lochte has been kickin' it for Spring Break.

Lochte has been training during his vacation ... but you know what they say -- work hard, play hard.

As for Amber, she's workin' too -- hosting a big Spring Break party tonight with DJs and tons of booze.

No word if the two hooked up -- but they definitely seemed to be enjoying each other's company.

Amber had said that she was gettin' close with NBA star James Harden last month -- but they were never official.

Soooo ... seems like the pool's open!

BOOM!!!!

John Madden just WENT OFF on Will Ferrell -- ripping the guy over his MLB Spring Training stunt ... saying it was disrespectful and insulting to the game of baseball ... and yes, he's being serious.

The NFL legend called in to KCBS Morning Newswatch right before Ferrell took the field with 10 MLB teams in Arizona yesterday ... and essentially said the stunt robbed real players of REAL opportunities and made a mockery of the game.

"I hate it," Madden said of the stunt ... "That's a lack of respect for the game and for what players have to do to get where they are."

Unclear if Madden knew Ferrell's antics were part of a charity fundraiser that helped to benefit multiple cancer organizations.

Still, probably shouldn't count on a Madden cameo in Ferrell's next flick.

If "Empire" really did rip off one of its characters from real-life NBA star Iman Shumpert -- you can't blame Terrence Howard ... 'cause Terrence says he's honestly never even heard of the guy.

As we previously reported, Iman suggested that producers based the characters of Hakeem and Tiana after him and his GF Teyana Taylor ... and pointed to their hairstyles as evidence.

But if that's true ... it's definitely news to the star of the show, Terrence Howard ... who told us he doesn't know Iman and he doesn't watch basketball.

That's ok ... Iman says he doesn't watch "Empire" either.

Some moron snuck his way onto Rob Gronkowski's party bus last night ... after knocking a woman to the ground ... only to be escorted OFF the ride by private security ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

Gronk was leaving 1Oak on the Sunset Strip when some guy cut in front of the NFL star and tried to bee line it for the waiting bus.

On his way to the bus the mystery man collided with a waiting female ... sending her crashing to the ground. But the man continued on his way and GOT INSIDE Gronk's ride.

Moments later, once Gronk got on board -- security was called over ... and a frighteningly large man with an earpiece can be seen removing the intruder from the Gronk-mobile.

Question is ... who do you think was more scared? Gronk, when he saw a strange man on his bus ... or the man when he realized he was trapped on a bus with a pissed off Gronk???

Sporting a sling on his injured arm, NFL running back Chris Johnson posed for a photo for the first time since he was shot in the shoulder during a drive by shooting in Florida this weekend.

Johnson appears in the photo with two other men -- one of whom is sporting bandages on an injured arm ... and the other who is flipping off the camera.

The man with the double-bird is rapper Kenny Turner -- a friend of Johnson's who posted the pic and included a message that appears to be directed at the shooter.

"I HEARD YOU P*SSIES LOOKIN 4 me!!!!! WE GOT something in common....f*ck YA!!!! #juice."

As we previously reported, one of Johnson's friends was killed in the shooting -- and Johnson is not cooperating with police in the investigation.

Judging by Turner's message -- seems cops aren't the only ones on the hunt ...

11:38 AM PT -- Johnson just issued a statement on Instagram insisting the message is NOT a threat directed at the gunman.

Frightening moment for a former USC football star -- when two men tried to break into his L.A. home ... while he was INSIDE ... and it was all captured on video.

TMZ Sports spoke with Alex Holmes -- who played tight end for the Trojans during their monster 2004 season -- who says he was hanging out on March 1st when two guys began casing his home.

The entire scene was captured on surveillance ... you can see the two guys ringing the doorbell to see if anyone is inside. When nobody answered, they snuck around to the backyard.

The men put on gloves (no fingerprints) and moved a table to try to enter the house through a 2nd story window ... but set off an alarm and eventually fled the scene.

Holmes was inside the house during the entire incident -- and called police, who raced to the scene moments after the guys bolted.

"I almost feel bad for the kids," Holmes says ... "As soon as they climbed up and opened that window, the alarm went off and they ran away."

The USC alum says it's the second time his house has been targeted in less than a year.

T.I.'s wife Tameka "Tiny" Cottle obviously knows when to leave well enough alone ... telling TMZ Sports there's not a chance in hell she'll be in Vegas for the huge Mayweather/Pacquiao fight on May 2.

You might remember ... T.I. ran up on Mayweather at a Las Vegas Fatburger last year and a gigantic fracas ensued. Floyd claimed the dust up happened because T.I. thought he was banging Tiny.

Well it's clear that Tiny wants no part in a rematch between the two men 'cause when we got her out at LAX recently and asked if she'll be attending the mega fight ... she couldn't have been more clear.

"We won't be there."

Good news for Floyd though ... she said he's gonna pull it out.

NBA star Iman Shumpert tells TMZ Sports ... he does NOT hate the show "Empire" -- and does not believe producers ripped off his life for a story line ... despite reports to the contrary.

Earlier today, it was reported that Shumpert was calling out "Empire" -- claiming two of the characters were direct rip-offs of himself and his GF girlfriend Teyana Taylor ... and even sported similar hairstyles.

But Shumpert says the whole thing has been blown out of proportion ... saying, "The 'Empire' story pertaining to myself and my girlfriend Teyana has gotten out of hand."

"Fans of the show and friends have told us on many occasions that couple favors us but we do not at all feel that our lives are being copied/stolen."

Shumpert continues, "I apologize to the actors on the show because they're just being professionals and don't deserve slander that's not what I was trying to portray and I have to be more careful with my choice of words."

"I do not appreciate the writer using his questions with my answers to draw quotes like I was making these elaborate answers but that's the media. The writer took a 2-3 min convo of locker room talk after a GREAT TEAM WIN and made it look like a sit down interview and it wasn't."

Floyd Mayweather was NOT charged with a crime after a 19-year-old close family friend filed a police report claiming the boxer put him in a chokehold during a 2014 argument.

The Las Vegas Metro Police tells TMZ Sports ... Devion Cromwell initially reported that Floyd put him in a "rear naked choke" at Mayweather's Vegas mansion on Halloween night.

FYI -- Cromwell is the son of Floyd's ex-girlfriend Melissa Brim ... who has a 14-year-old daughter with Floyd.

But when investigators tried to contact Cromwell to follow up on the case, cops say Cromwell stopped cooperating -- essentially stopping the investigation dead in its tracks.

Eventually, cops say ... they closed the case.

A rep for the Clark County District Attorney's office tells us the case was never presented to them for prosecution.

We're told the statute of limitations on the case is 1 year from the incident -- so, if Cromwell has a change of heart and wants to press the case ... the clock's ticking.