TMZ Sports - Page 50

Carlos Beltran, listen up ... Bobby Valentine's got some Mets advice, telling TMZ Sports if the new NY manager wants to win now -- FIX THE BULLPEN ASAP!!!

The Mets were a disaster at the end of games last season -- closer Edwin Diaz blew SEVEN saves -- and that ultimately led to Mickey Callaway's firing last month.

When we got Valentine out at Mariano Rivera's charity event in NYC ... the ex-Mets manager told us if Beltran wants to avoid the same fate, clean that part of NY's roster up NOW!!!

Of course, Bobby V also said it'd be great for Beltran if he could get some contributions from Yoenis Cespedes and add a little more firepower to the offense too.

"I'm pulling for him," Bobby says.

As for if Valentine thinks Beltran has the goods to eventually get the Mets back to the playoffs ... Bobby told us yes, saying, "He gets it. He's a real smooth guy."

Floyd Mayweather's mixed up in another one-sided fight, but he wasn't the one throwing punches ... some guy in his crew delivered this beatdown.

The champion boxer was involved in an incident at a Las Vegas mall on Thanksgiving eve that resulted in a fan getting thumped by a presumed member of his security team ... as you can see on surveillance footage, obtained by TMZ Sports.

We're told Floyd was exiting the House of Hoops store with his girlfriend and his crew when an employee working at one of the kiosks nearby approached for a photo. The employee, Juan Calderon, tells TMZ ... he was trying to get a pic for a coworker who felt weird asking, but Floyd shot him down.

Calderon says Mayweather was rude about the rejection, so he let Floyd and his group know that he thought they were "acting like d**ks."

One of Floyd's boys allegedly confronted Calderon about the comments, and Juan tells us he told the guy Floyd should take photos with his fans. Juan says the guy tried to smooth things over and shake his hand ... but he refused.

That may have been a bad move because Calderon tells us another crew member noticed he was still looking Floyd's way ... so he then approached to confront Juan about his insults.

The apparent bodyguard can be seen in the mall footage wearing a TMT shirt walking next to Floyd and is later seen throwing at least a couple punches at Calderon. Juan says the guy unloaded on him, landing 3-5 blows before leaving.

Calderon says Floyd was right there when the attack went down. Juan tells us he went to the hospital for a CT scan afterward ... which fortunately revealed no brain injury.

He also says he filed a police report, and law enforcement confirms it responded to a call for a simple battery incident at the mall on Wednesday night around 9:30 PM.

The NHL investigation into Flames coach Bill Peters using the n-word was pretty swift and decisive -- the team fired him Friday morning.

The probe started 4 days ago, when former NHL player Akim Aliu, who is black, tweeted about Peters managing him on a minor league team in 2009. Aliu said Peters walked into the Rockford Ice Hogs locker room and complained about his pre-game music choices -- saying, "Hey, Akim, I'm sick of you playing that n***** s**t."

Aliu says Peters added, "I'm sick of hearing this n*****s f**king other n*****s in the ass stuff."

Flames general manager Brad Treliving addressed it immediately after Aliu's tweets and said the team took the allegation very seriously and would be investigating.

Peters didn't deny the incident and wrote an apology letter to the Flames. He said the "statement was made in a moment of frustration and does not reflect my personal values."

Peters also claims he apologized to Aliu and the whole team shortly after making the remarks.

He's 44-years-old ... but Tito Ortiz says his fight game is BETTER than ever -- and he wants to prove it against Jon Jones.

"I think I could beat Jon Jones," Tito tells TMZ Sports ... "I think I got a good chance. I really do think I got a good chance."

Tito has been training his ass off for his Dec. 7 MMA clash with ex-WWE superstar Alberto Del Rio and says he finally feels healthy, clear-minded and strong.

Of course, Jones is only 32 and hasn't really lost a fight since turning pro -- he's widely considered one of the greatest UFC fighters ever!

But, Ortiz says Jones ruined his shot at being the G.O.A.T. -- "He tarnished his career so many times, so much stuff he did in and out of the cage. Bums me out because I love the guy, man."

As for the critics who say Tito's too old hang with a guy like Jones, Tito has a message for them too ...

"Come to my camp. Come train with me. Come wrestle with me. Come do Jiu-Jitsu with me. Watch me weight train, watch my biking ... I'm doing amazing, my mind's in the right place."

There's A LOT more in the raw video (see below) ... Tito talks about his issues with Dana White and why he's down to squash the beef with the UFC once and for all.

He also talks about his rivalry with Chuck Liddell, his upcoming movie with Bruce Willis ... and his dreams of becoming a WWE superstar down the road!

"George, Mike Tyson hits so hard!!"

That was the WARNING Muhammad Ali gave to George Foreman around 1987 ... when a 40-year-old Foreman was considering a boxing comeback after a 10-year hiatus.

"George, that Mike Tyson can hit! That's punching power there!"

Foreman tells the whole story to TMZ Sports ... explaining how Muhammad was like his "big brother" and tried to advise him to stay away from Tyson, who was DESTROYING people at the time.

"It was like a warning, 'Don't do that George!'"

Of course, Foreman DID make his comeback and went on a 23-FIGHT WIN STREAK ... crushing just about everyone until he faced Evander Holyfield in 1991.

In fact, 45-year-old George beat Michael Moorer for the WBA and IBF Heavyweight title in 1994 -- while Tyson was still in prison.

We asked George what would have happened if Tyson and Muhammad Ali ever squared off ... and ya gotta hear his answer to that too!!!

There's more ... Foreman also breaks down the upcoming Andy Ruiz vs. Anthony Joshua rematch and tells us why it would be very wise for Anthony Joshua to do some film study of Ali vs. Spinks II, the epic fight from 1978.

Worried about potential shopping brawls on Black Friday???

UFC stud Mike Perry's got ya covered ... 'cause he's shelling out advice on how to protect yourself in a fight over that marked down big screen TV!!!

"Stick and move, man," Perry tells TMZ Sports. "Throw objects. Use chairs. Keep your distance!"

Of course, the day after Thanksgiving is always mired in some kind of fighting over door-busting deals ... but Perry's got some rock-solid tips to help you survive.

And, if you are brave enough to scrap with the crowds ... Perry's the guy you wanna listen to -- 'cause he's been in a ton of these brawls throughout his life!!!

But, Perry's biggest piece of advice? Forget the whole day in general, stay at home with the fam and wait to shop online on Cyber Monday.

You're looking at the new "Rocky" -- actress Ryan Destiny who's been tapped to star in the new movie about Claressa Shields, the BADDEST FEMALE BOXER ALIVE!!!

Destiny is playing the undefeated champ in "Flint Strong" -- a true story about how in 2012, Shields became the first woman EVER to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing.

Destiny is FIRED UP for the role and tells TMZ Sports she's already tapped one of the premier boxing coaches in Hollywood to train her up.

"Rob Sale, who is an amazing boxing trainer -- he trained [Michael B. Jordan] for 'Creed,' he's gonna be training me."

It ain't gonna be easy ... Destiny -- who starred in FOX's musical drama, "Star" -- doesn't have a boxing background and admits she's more of a lover than a fighter.

But, she's athletic ... and it's clear in our video, she's ready to put in the work!!!

Of course, 24-year-old Claressa is arguably the most dominant woman in combat sports -- she's 9-0 as a pro-boxer and recently began training in MMA in hopes of a superfight with Amanda Nunes.

And the Grammy goes to ... not Oscar De La Hoya.

The boxing legend and Golden Boy honcho decided to show off his pipes with a rendition of the classic Ritchie Valens hit, "La Bamba" ... and TMZ Sports has the hilarious video!!!

We're told ODLH had some time to kill at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino after the Cancio and Alvarado fight over the weekend ... so he took the stage in the Twelfth Floor Lounge and told the guitarists to start jammin'.

Look, no one's expecting Oscar to have the voice of an angel ... but the dude put his heart into the damn thing and it looks like he's having the time of his life.

Everybody needs a friend like Odell Beckham Jr. ... 'cause the Cleveland Browns superstar just gave his teammate and best bro, Jarvis Landry, an incredible $110k watch for his birthday!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... OBJ wanted to do something extra special for Landry's 27th birthday on Nov. 28, so he hooked him up with a Patek Phlippe 5980 Nautilus ... and it's beautiful.

We're told Odell hit up his go-to guy Gabriel The Jeweler to make it happen ... and the dude came through in the clutch just in time for Landry's big day.

Of course, Gabriel has an NFL roster's worth of clients -- from Stefon Diggs to Landry to Antonio Brown -- and we know how much Odell loves watches, so it was the perfect gift!!!

Landry and Beckham go WAYYYYY back -- they're both from New Orleans and have been best friends since they were freshmen in high school. They went on to dominate at LSU and have reunited together on the Browns.

Rob Gronkowski is taking his traveling dance party on the road ... this time he's tearing it up in Dallas and ya gotta see his new moves!!!

Check out this amazing video of Gronk owning the dance floor at Chill Bar & Grill outside Dallas ... he's dancing his face off in the middle of an open circle, and the crowd LOVES IT!!!

Gronk can hold it down on his own, but a few of his brothers eventually jump in and start dancing with the former NFL stud.

Gronk's bros Chris and Glenn live in the Dallas area, so we're guessing he's in town to visit family for Thanksgiving. Oh, and there's a pretty big NFL game in town too.

After working up a sweat on the dance floor, Gronk eventually hopped behind the DJ booth to get on the 1s and 2s. Folks in the bar tell us he and his crew were having a helluva time all night.

Remember, Gronk was in Los Angeles last week, hitting the hardwood and dancing with the Laker Girls alongside Venus Williams and James Corden.

Jahlil Okafor will be able to eat all the damn turkey he wants this Thanksgiving weekend ... 'cause the NBA baller tells TMZ Sports he's no longer vegan!!!

Of course, Jahlil famously went "mostly" animal-free and lost 20 pounds back in 2017 ... after thinking eating less meat would help while recovering from a knee injury.

But, that's all a thing of the past now ... 'cause the New Orleans Pelicans stud says blood work done with his old team, the Brooklyn Nets, showed his iron was low.

One dude who's gonna be crushed to hear the news is vegan advocate, John Salley, who told us last month Okafor should help Zion Williamson with his diet while recovering from a knee injury.

Okafor's numbers have been consistent in year 2 with the Pels -- averaging 9.9 points and 5 rebounds a game -- so the meat ain't holdin' him back.

Here's an age-old NFL question ... does it suck to be away from family playing on Thanksgiving -- or is it flat-out cool being a part of Turkey Day tradition???

TMZ Sports hit up Detroit Lions legend Herman Moore to get the answer ... and the ex-wide receiver told us straight-up Thanksgiving Day games were AWESOME!!!

"For Lion players that becomes kind of our Super Bowl since we haven't been to any," Moore says.

It's an interesting answer, considering most of the country would probably prefer to be at home with loved ones watching football ... but Moore says there was zero jealousy while he was on the gridiron on the holiday.

In fact, Moore tells us the feeling was pretty unanimous among his teammates ... saying, "You're the only show in town!"

Moore also says the atmosphere in the stadium was pretty cool too ... telling us he was guaranteed to see AT LEAST "3 or 4 brawls" in the stands every year on the holiday.

As for his favorite Thanksgiving game memory, Moore says of the 11 times he spent Turkey Day with the Lions ... the coolest off-field moment was getting a leg of John Madden's famous Turducken!!!

But, ya gotta hear why he's kinda regretting eating the crazy concoction nowadays ...

Brett Favre is going to bat for his former teammate ... telling TMZ Sports Sterling Sharpe belongs in the Hall of Fame -- saying the guy's got a similar resume as Gale Sayers!

"If a guy like Gale Sayers and some other ones are in the Hall of Fame with a short career, absolutely he deserves to be in," Favre says of Sharpe.

Of course, Sterling was an absolute BEAST in the NFL for 7 seasons ... piling up 8,134 receiving yards and 65 TDs on 595 catches -- but a neck injury prematurely ended his career.

Most pundits think that's why Sharpe ain't in Canton yet ... but Favre -- who played with Sterling from 1992 through 1994 -- tells us it's a BS reason to keep the 54-year-old from getting a bust.

"I have this argument with people all the time," Favre says. "The only thing you can say about Sterling is he didn't play as long as others."

But, Brett tells us that's not a good excuse ... 'cause guys like Sayers and Terrell Davis had injury-shortened careers but still got into the hall.

"The time that he played, the numbers that he put up, absolutely, 100 percent deserves to be in the Hall of Fame," Favre says.

Health and wealth are nice ... but here's a few more reasons to be thankful on Turkey Day -- the smokin' hot WAGs from the NFL's Thanksgiving Day football games!!!

Bears vs. Lions! Bills vs. Cowboys! Saints vs. Falcons!

There (should be) a ton of action on the field, but the Wives And Girlfriends (WAGs!) are proving they're the REAL stars off the gridiron!

Check out everyone from Rachel Bush -- bombshell wife of Bills safety Jordan Poyer -- to the gorgeous Nikki Jordan, wife of Saints superstar Cam Jordan.

And, don't miss Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin, who's dating Lions punter Sam Martin!!!

Look, there will be football and that's great. But, this right here is what the holiday is all about.

Terrible start to Trevor Bauer's Thanksgiving week ... a tire flew off a semi-truck and smashed up his $300,000 McLaren and the photo is heartbreaking!!!

It all went down in Houston, Texas early Tuesday ... where the Cincinnati Reds pitcher's beloved 2016 McLaren 650S was parked at the local McLaren dealership.

We're told the dealership is located next to a highway -- and earlier yesterday, a tire came loose on a semi-truck, flew across 6 lanes of traffic, ricocheted off a wall and smashed through a double-paned glass window before hitting the car!!!

The photo shows the damage to the wall, the glass and car ... it's a MIRACLE no one was hurt!!!

Sources familiar with the situation tell us the car is totaled -- but the good news, IT'S INSURED!!!

For his part, Trevor has a good attitude about the situation ... tweeting, "Yesterday, if you told me a semi truck would total my Mclaren, I would’ve believed you. If you told me it would happen like THIS? I would’ve said you’re out of your mind. If this isn’t @Mayhem I don’t  know what is @Allstate."

Bauer has reportedly made around $30 mil during his MLB career -- and is slated to make another $18 mil in the 2020 season.

Stephen F. Austin should go freakin' crazy after upsetting Duke ... so says its most famous alum, Jeremiah Trotter -- who tells TMZ Sports he wants the players to party like hell!!!

"Yo, enjoy the moment," the ex-NFL linebacker says. "Enjoy the moment. Celebrate. You don't get opportunities like that all the time!"

We spoke with the former Philadelphia Eagles star who attended SFA back in the 1990s ... and he says as far he knows, the win over Duke on Tuesday was the school's biggest moment.

And, when we asked what his advice would be to the team ... he said the players should enjoy it!!!

But, Trotter added there's got to be a limit on the partying ... telling us, "Once you've finished celebrating, then it's time to get back to work!"