TMZ Sports - Page 50

The Doc is in ...

Dwight Gooden has signed a contract to participate in a Celebrity Boxing match on March 7 in Atlantic City, TMZ Sports has learned.

The former MLB star -- who has recently been dealing with substance abuse issues -- has decided that getting physically active again could be the best thing for him ... so he's agreed to box.

54-year-old Gooden has been working with Celebrity Boxing promoter Damon Feldman for months -- in fact, Doc was the guest referee for Dustin Diamond's (Screech) last fight back in Sept.

But now, he'll get back in the ring as a competitor ... though CB is still working on locking up an opponent for the baseball star.

Celebrity Boxing has had some issues lately with stars like Lenny Dykstra and the Angry Bagel Boss Guy dropping out at the last minute -- but we're told Doc is fully committed.

Khabib Nurmagomedov's river training video was NOT impressive ... so says UFC stud Kevin Lee, who tells TMZ Sports "It looked like the man was drowning!"

"It looked like he was fighting for his life," Lee says.

If you missed it ... Khabib damn-near broke the internet after footage of him swimming upstream in a freezing cold river in Dagestan was posted online.

The vid was seriously insane ... but Lee -- who absolutely wants to tear Khabib's face off -- said it all looked like a joke to him.

"To me, it seemed gimmicky," Lee says. "That s**t don't do nothing for me."

Lee says he's ready to prove Khabib is a farce by stepping into the Octagon with the champ ... and he tells us he feels he should be the next one to get a crack at The Eagle after his fight with Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244 this weekend.

"I've been gunning after Khabib for years and years and years," Lee says, "And, I feel like I got the right style."

The bad news for Lee? He admits his training partner and buddy, Georges St. Pierre, is also a great candidate to have dibs next on Khabib.

No fake beef to sell a fight here ... Sergey Kovalev tells TMZ Sports he flat out admires Canelo Alvarez ... and is a HUGE fan of the superstar boxer.

But, for those thirsting for blood, don't sweat it ... Kovalev says he's gonna try his damndest to beat Canelo's ass when they fight Saturday night in Vegas.

Kovalev surprised boxing fans when he fanboy'd out during a backstage meeting with Canelo at a promotional event for their November 2nd mega-fight on DAZN ... even asking Alvarez to take a selfie.

Some people clowned Sergey for the selfie move, but The Krusher says he doesn't feel the need to create fake beef just to sell tickets.

“I like his boxing style," Sergey tells us ... "He’s a great champion, really, and I follow him for like all of my career from 2011 when I met with him. Because I saw how he sparred with Gennady Golovkin, and after this, I started to follow him."

As much as Kovalev likes Canelo, he was clear that once they're across from each other on Saturday, he's out for blood ... 'til the final bell rings.

"Inside the ring, we will be like the athletes. We will be like athletes, like boxers. Boxers should punch each other and after the fight, we will be friends again. This is just the sport."

The love ain't only one-sided ... we also spoke to Canelo, who was super complimentary of Kovalev.

Evander Holyfield's 22-year-old son is less than 24 hours away from making his pro-boxing debut on the undercard of Canelo vs. Kovalev ... and you better believe the Real Deal flew in to watch it go down in person.

Evan Holyfield is taking on Nick Winstead on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Vegas ... and says it's the opportunity he's been waiting for his entire life!

"It feels like Christmas right now!" Evan says ... "I'm not nervous, I'm excited!"

Evan's been fighting at the amateur level for 10 years -- logging 80 fights before getting a shot at the pro level ... and he can't wait to show the world what he's made of.

Of course, Evan's dad is one of the best of ALL TIME -- so he's had a pretty great mentor to guide him along his boxing journey.

In fact, Evan says Evander is already in Vegas and they had lunch this week to talk about strategy and get ready for the fight.

Evan says his dad is also excited for him -- "He knows what skills I have and all about the hard work I put in."

"I'm just ready to showcase what I have to do."

Oh and get this ... back in July Evan told us his dream match up would be against Canelo. So, consider this an audition for a possible match up!!!

Good luck!!!

Here it is ... the official "Baddest Mother F**ker" belt!!!

UFC honcho Dana White just revealed the new "BMF" belt which will go to the winner of the Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal main event fight at UFC 244 on Saturday.

White had the belt custom made for this fight after Nate said the bout would determine the real baddest mofo in combat sports.

Dana says the belt cost around $50,000 to make -- and it's engraved with the words, "Baddest Motherf**ker."

White has previously said the belt is a one-time thing for this specific fight -- but there are a bunch of fighters who have said they'd love to get a crack at it ... so we may not see the last of it after Saturday.

As far as the fight goes, Diaz is the #7 ranked welterweight and Masvidal is #3. The current champ in that division is Kamaru Usman.

As we previously reported, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will be at the fight to give the belt to the winner. President Donald Trump and Patriots owner Robert Kraft are also expected to attend.

Green Bay Packers star Za'Darius Smith was stopped in September for allegedly speeding ... and when officers searched his car, they cuffed him for having weed.

According to court records, Smith was pulled over on Sept. 29 -- just days after the Packers' loss to the Eagles -- in Racine, Wisc. after cops say he was going 21 MPH over the speed limit.

Per police records, obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Smith was allegedly doing 81 MPH in a 60 MPH zone in his 2019 GMC Yukon at around 5:30 PM.

The records say when the officer pulled over Smith -- who's car passengers included teammates Rashan Gary and Kingsley Keke -- he smelled a strong odor of marijuana.

The records say after the officer searched the car and found three blunts and a vaping cartridge ... Smith took ownership of them, saying, "I'll put it on me."

Records show Smith was hit with citations -- NOT criminal charges -- for speeding and possessing marijuana ... and the Packers players were then allowed to leave.

Smith is due in court next week to deal with the matter.

"The Packers are aware of the matter involving Za’Darius Smith," a team spokesperson told the Sentinel on Friday. "We will refrain from making any further comment as it is a legal matter."

Smith -- who's been a superstar for Green Bay this year after signing a 4-year, $66 MILLION contract this offseason -- could now be subject to NFL discipline under the league's personal conduct policy.

... All for some weed. Ridiculous.

Terrell Owens ain't afraid to rip a 49ers QB if he doesn't like 'em -- we all know that -- so we had to get his take on Jimmy Garoppolo ... superstar or overrated?!

... and guess what, T.O. FRIGGIN' LOVES THE GUY!!!

"Of course he's a superstar," Owens raved ... noting the New England Patriots wouldn't have drafted him and stuck with him so long if he didn't have star potential.

"You think about what he did under the tutelage of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, I don't think that organization would have acquired Jimmy G if he wouldn't have done some of the things that he did."

Owens also says at 8-0 it's "ridiculous" for people to suggest San Fran isn't a real Super Bowl contender.

So, why is Owens so passionate about the 49ers considering he played for so many teams during his NFL career???

"That's where I started my career. I played 8 years there," Owens said ... noting the 49ers are the team he identifies himself with the most when reflecting on his time in the NFL.

T.O. even points out what he considers to be his most memorable moment ... and yeah, it was a helluva catch.

IT'S RAINING (LARGE) MEN, HALLELUJAH!!!!

The fat guy who slid on the Washington Nationals dugout after the World Series is BLOWING UP!!!

He just got invited to do the weather for FOX 5 in Washington D.C. ... and man, he crushed it!!

In fact, the Nats super-fan -- real name Jason Turner -- channeling his inner Hulk Hogan on live TV, tearing off his shirt and chest bumping FOX 5's Tucker Barnes!!

Turner almost bumped Barnes off the set -- and then turned to the cam and shouted out the MLB champs!!

Of course, Turner's quick rise to social media stardom started Thursday night when he hit up Nationals Park in D.C. to watch a live screening of Game 7 of the World Series, which took place in Houston.

As the Nationals made the final out, Turner tore off his shirt and belly flopped across a dugout in the rain. It was awesome!

Conor McGregor just showed up in court in Ireland where his lawyer told the judge the UFC star will plead GUILTY in his pub attack case.

The UFC superstar is facing one charge of assault after he socked a man in the face at the Marble Arch Pub in Dublin back on April 6, in footage obtained by TMZ Sports.

The charge carries a maximum punishment of 6 months behind bars.

McGregor showed up to court Friday in a fancy suit ... but he wasn't smiling and goofing around. Instead, he was clasping his hands and had his game face on as he walked into the building.

Inside the courtroom, McGregor's attorney told the court his client will be pleading guilty -- but  it's not over yet. The court is on a short recess and will resume at 7 AM PT.

The victim in the incident did NOT show up to the hearing and chose not to submit a victim impact statement, according to local reports.

Prosecutors are lobbying to screen the attack video in court before sentencing this afternoon, but Conor's side is trying to block that.

The decision will ultimately be made when court resumes after the break.

McGregor has previously admitted to ESPN he was "in the wrong" for punching the man at the bar ... saying, "That man deserved to enjoy his time in the pub without having it end the way it did."

"I tried to make amends and I made amends back then. But, it doesn't matter. I was in the wrong."

Seems like now he's worked out a plea deal with prosecutors. We'll find out soon how this whole thing will play out.

Stay tuned ...

Israel Adesanya, one of the UFC's brightest stars, says he's excited the President of the United States will be at UFC 244 in NYC this weekend ... and doesn't think there will be any drama.

As we previously reported, President Trump is scheduled to attend the fights at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. He's had a close relationship with the UFC for decades.

But, after Trump was booed at Game 5 of the World Series, some people are concerned he'll get a similar response from fighters and fans when they show his face on the big screen.

"I don't think anyone cares," Adesanya told TMZ Sports outside of Marquee nightclub in New York ... "It's gonna be cool just having the President of the United States."

Jorge Masvidal, who's fighting Nate Diaz in the main event, had a similar opinion when we spoke with him earlier this week.

Bottom line ... doesn't seem like fighters are looking to make a political statement at UFC 244 -- but you never know what's gonna happen when someone gets the mic in their hand.

"Y'all better take all y'all asses to work tomorrow or else I'm snitchin'!"

That's Golden Tate -- decked out in fake face tats and rainbow hair -- clowning the hell out of Tekashi 6ix9ine when we got him leaving a Halloween party in NYC ... and it's HILARIOUS!!!

The New York Giants star receiver was at Moxy on Thursday night ... and with his wife dressed as a cop supervising him -- he made a bid to win best costume of the night.

"I'm letting you know right now, I'm snitchin'!" Tate hilariously told us. "Go to work!"

Golden eventually got out of character to answer some questions for us ... and he said he believes his Giants have a chance to turn things around in the 2nd half of the season.

Of course, the G-men haven't looked so hot in 2019 ... they're just 2-6 and are big-time underdogs against the Dallas Cowboys on "Monday Night Football" next week.

But, Tate tells us, "We know we're a good team, we just got to put it all together consistently."

Antonio Brown was TRYING to explain how his life has changed since being cut by the New England Patriots ... but he's not getting props from fans, he's getting crushed online.

"When I was in the league everyone did everything for me," Brown tweeted ... "Literally handicap me!"

"I’m back cooking; shopping taking care kids all me no nannies chefs trainers or baby mamas me dolo all self Care."

We get it, Brown is trying to say that he's taking control of his own life and relying less on hired help now that a once-guaranteed $50 million NFL windfall is no sure thing.

Problem for AB ... people are KILLING HIM for the statement online. Here are some of the comments ...

-- "Like the rest of us been doing our whole lives. Welcome to reality. Ain’t no prizes down here," @FreeRangeChickn

-- "Do you want a gold star or some recognition for being a responsible father? Congratulations I guess," @tjoreilly80

-- "Welcome to the real world,  now imagine doing all of that and making 50k per year,"  @chip_solomon

-- "bragging about being a real adult and father....good look," @LStocks86

-- "Thoughts & Prayers for you AB for having to cook your own food. I am thinking of you during this difficult time," @TurtlesTakes

Insanely cute moment on Halloween ... MLB superstar Freddie Freeman stopped a kid wearing a Freddie Freeman costume -- and asked him straight-up, "Are you me?!"

The Atlanta Braves 1st baseman was getting in some trick-or-treating with his fam when at one of the houses ... a little boy was decked out in a Freeman jersey, baseball pants and a Braves cap.

Freddie couldn't just let the kid walk by without saying, "hi" ... so he surprised the boy with a conversation and a photo!!!

The scene is adorable ... it took a second for the kid to realize it was actually Freddie (he was wearing a Halloween cap on his head) -- but when he figured it out, it was pretty awesome.

"Are you me?!" Freddie asked the kid. "Are you me for Halloween?! That's my last name and that's my baseball number. Want to take a picture?!"

The little boy said, "of course" ... and the photo will make your heart melt!!!

Props to Freddie for the cool move ... and, by the way, props to his wife Chelsea for always having the camera ready for amazing Freeman moments.

Remember, she was the one responsible for filming Freddie's little son having an unforgettable home run derby just a few weeks ago.

"How can you call something a fight if there were no punches thrown?!"

That's Charles Barkley expressing his utter DISGUST for that 76ers vs. Timberwolves incident earlier this week ... saying a rear-naked choke doesn't necessarily make a "fight."

Instead, Barkley describes the whole thing as a "snuggle party" -- "there were two guys holding each other!"

The hilarious breakdown went down on "Inside the NBA" where Barkley argued with Ernie Johnson and Kenny "The Jet" Smith about the situation.

Both Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns have been suspended 2 games each for the incident while Ben Simmons, who applied the choke, didn't get suspended at all.

He did, however, get an offer to work on his MMA skills from former UFC and Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez! In fact, Eddie tells TMZ Sports he's already been in contact with Simmons and expects to start training him in the next few days!

As for Charles, dude knows a little something about NBA scraps ... back in his playing days, Chuck went head-to-head with giants like Shaquille O'Neal and Bill Laimbeer.

Ryan Garcia is one of the best up and coming fighters on the planet but says he's still routinely challenged to street fights by macho idiots looking to test their mettle ... and it's becoming a problem.

In case you need his resume, 21-year-old Garcia is 18-0 and fighting on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev undercard on DAZN this weekend.

Oscar De La Hoya recently told us Garcia could be the first fighter to sign a $700 million multi-fight contract in the near future.

Despite having the ability to kill most people with his bare hands, Garcia tells TMZ Sports normies constantly hit him up looking to test his skills outside the ring.

"They're always trying to bully me for some reason, they're always like, 'Yeah, you don't even look like a boxer. I would whoop your ass on the street,' and this and that. And honestly, I don't even pay attention to it."

"I just keep it moving, you know. Alright, whatever. Say what you want. I'm gonna do my thing. Don't matter."

Garcia says people really test his patience, but he always opts to walks away ... 'cause he realizes if he beats up a civilian it could cost him that fat deal.

"Once in a while I just want to throw a left hook right across the face like, 'bang.' But, of course, you can't."

"Then I'll lose my $700 million to lawsuits. So, I'm good."

As we previously reported, Garcia has his sights set on some of the biggest names in the sport ... Gervonta "Tank" Davis, Devin Haney and Vasyl Lomachenko.

Fox Nation host Britt McHenry is taking a big step toward filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against her former cohost, Tyrus and Fox.

Britt's beef with Tyrus made headlines earlier this year when she complained to the network about the former pro-wrestler sending her lewd texts -- but now she's raised the stakes by filing a sexual harassment complaint with New York State's Division of Human Rights.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, Britt details those alleged text messages, and several incidents she certainly considered creepy. For instance, in October 2018 she claims her "UN-PC" cohost sent several texts saying how much he loved her hair and legs, and specified sexual acts he wanted to do to her. In November, he allegedly sent one saying, "I'll show you what it mean to be bad Britt McHenry// D**k pic coming in 5 sec!!!!"

Britt says after that she tried to maintain a cordial working relationship with Tyrus ... so they went out to dinner in November 2018, after a taping. She claims he drank excessively and while walking after the meal, he "grabbed my hand in an aggressive and sexual manner." She says she pulled away and went to her hotel room, leaving him in lobby.

Then, a couple months later on New Year's Eve, she says her boyfriend came to NYC and Tyrus flipped out -- allegedly sending her angry texts. She claims the tormenting continued into January 2019, and she finally went to the executive producer of "UN-PC" to report Tyrus ... but she claims nothing changed.

Britt, who's hired celeb attorney Lisa Bloom, says she went back to the EP after an April 12, 2019 incident where Tyrus allegedly screamed at her on set. She claims the EP told her to quit complaining because she was "replaceable" and Fox "never wanted" her in the first place.

She says Tyrus was never disciplined and ended up getting his own show -- while Fox stopped promoting her and stopped inviting her as a guest on other Fox News programs.

All of this is a clear precursor to a lawsuit for 2 reasons. First, the filing with NY State has to be made before filing a lawsuit. Secondly, she's hired Bloom.

We've reached out to Fox News and Tyrus' reps for comment.