TMZ Sports - Page 50

DeAndre Hopkins had to dodge punches like they were Iggy Azalea dating rumors Wednesday ... 'cause 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward tried to mess up his face during practice!!

It all went down in Houston -- where the Niners are in town for a joint workout with the Texans -- when Hopkins didn't like that Ward ripped off his helmet during a 1-on-1 rep.

The superstar wide receiver shoved the DB ... took a swing -- and then had to FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE as the whole 49ers squad swarmed.

D-Hop was eventually taken to the ground and a pig pile formed ... but when it all unfolded, everyone was alive and practice carried on.

11:13 AM PT -- We've obtained the 911 calls from the incident ... and Tarver can be heard asking to have Aziya escorted off his property before the alleged scuffle breaks out.

A neighbor also called 911, saying Aziya showed up on her doorstep with a bloody face ... claiming Tarver punched him in the mouth.

Ex-boxing superstar Antonio Tarver was arrested Monday for domestic battery -- after allegedly punching his 18-year-old stepson in the face multiple times, TMZ Sports has learned.

According to the police report, cops responded to a home in Florida on Monday around 4:45 PM -- after 18-year-old Aziya Taylor called 911.

When cops arrived, they say Taylor was bleeding from his mouth -- and said he had been attacked by Tarver, who he identified as his "stepfather."

Aziya told police the altercation with Tarver began earlier that day when they went to breakfast at Waffle House, but Aziya didn't have enough cash to cover the meal.

When they got back to the house, Aziya said Tarver "bum-rushed" him and struck him in the face.

Aziya says Tarver punched him again and then threw him into the garage and locked the door. Aziya says he escaped and called police.

Cops also spoke with Tarver -- who acknowledged an altercation with Aziya but denied punching him -- instead he says the guy busted his lip when he "tripped and fell" during the tussle.

Ultimately, cops didn't buy Antonio's story -- and arrested him for domestic battery.

The 49-year-old was booked Monday around 7 PM and spent the night in jail. He was released around 7 PM the next day.

According to his booking sheet, Tarver is 6'2" and 225 lbs. Bond was set at $1,000.

Tarver has had a history with the law -- he was arrested back in 2014 stemming from an unpaid gambling debt at the Wynn Las Vegas hotel and casino.

Tarver was a stud boxer back in the day -- winning multiple belts and chalking up impressive victories over stars like Roy Jones Jr.

BEAST!!!

Here's Matt Stafford's very pregnant wife, Kelly Stafford, gymin' for 2 in Detroit this week -- rippin' off set after set while 38 weeks preggo!!!

Kelly (who's pregnant with baby #3) hit up Elite Training USA and crushed everything from the battle ropes to the weight sled and even some modified deadlifts!!!

Kelly is calling the routine, "Operation GET BABY OUT."

Meanwhile, Matt's working pretty hard too -- gearing up for the NFL season with the Detroit Lions.

Kelly is technically due in 2 weeks -- but she's at full term now and clearly she's ready to celebrate a birthday.

The 2017 Oakland Raiders coach has some advice for the 2018 Oakland Raiders -- PAY KHALIL MACK ALREADY!!!

Jack Del Rio -- who was fired after the '17 season and replaced by Jon Gruden -- decided to weigh in on the Khalil Mack holdout ... the biggest roster news in Raiders camp right now.

"Gotta pay the man!" Del Rio said ... "[Mack] is the total package. Great player and an even better person!"

Del Rio coached Mack for 3 seasons ('15, '16, '17) and clearly thinks the 2017 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is worth splurging for.

Sylvester Stallone says he's almost positive Floyd Mayweather will accept Manny Pacquiao's challenge and take a rematch with the boxer in the near future ... and Sly's spelling it out for TMZ Sports.

"I think it's about 99% certain it's gonna happen," Stallone said while leaving his wife Jennifer Flavin's birthday dinner at Spago.

"They have every reason -- honor, money, history and you got nothing better to do for the weekend."

Stallone's referring to the comments Pacquiao made in July after his victory over Lucas Matthysse -- when he essentially called out Floyd.

"Mayweather? If he decides to go back to boxing then that is the time we are going to call the shots," Manny said ... "I have the belt, so it's up to him. If he wants to come back in boxing let's do a second one."

Mayweather defeated Pacquiao in a pretty boring fight when they clashed in Vegas back in 2015 -- but both sides made 9-FIGURE paychecks!

Stay tuned ...

Former "Last Chance U" star Isaiah Wright tells TMZ Sports he's not wasting any time now that he's out of jail -- and still plans to take his football talents to the NFL.

20-year-old Wright was a superstar running back at East Mississippi Community College -- and was one of the breakout stars in the Netflix docuseries about the school's football team.

But, his career came to a screeching halt in Sept. 2017 when he was arrested on one 1 count of criminal homicide in the stabbing death of an 18-year-old man.

Wright was adamant he did NOT kill the man -- and after nearly a year behind bars, he was finally released after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of facilitation of aggravated robbery.

So, what's next for Wright? School and football.

Wright admits it was a challenge staying in shape during his jail stint but says he's focused on training. Isaiah also says he has 2 years of college eligibility left and hopes to land with a D1 program soon.

Wright says he's spoken with his former EMCC adviser Brittany Wagner (who was also featured on "Last Chance U") and says he has offered up her support.

And, the end goal for Wright?

Jada Pinkett Smith's new friend is a shredded 72-year-old bodybuilder who is fit to DESTROY Will Smith ... in a push-up contest!!

We talked to Dr. Josefina Monasterio whose determination for body wellness is giving Jada all the feels. We're not sure big Willy will feel the same way as his wife though, now that Josefina's calling him out and challenging him in the gym.

Check it out ... the good doctor has more than push-ups in mind for Will -- and says now that she has Jada's digits, it won't be easy for Will to dodge her challenge.

If you're wondering how she and Jada connected -- Jada recently reposted one of Josefina's videos to her Instagram feed. Some of Jada's fans mistook Josefina for Jada's mom, Adrienne Banfield-Jones (she's not) ... they're both super fit. Anyway, they both set the record straight with a FaceTime hookup.

Shaunie O'Neal believes the guys who tried to rob her house were definitely using social media to case the joint ... and tells TMZ Sports she's laid down some new rules so it doesn't happen again.

The "Basketball Wives" creator busted some dopes trying to bust into her L.A. house this weekend, and used the Ring home security system to put the fear of God in them, making the would-be burglars retreat.

We talked to Shaquille O'Neal's ex-wife -- and she told us she recognized one of the perps from a previous attempted break-in ... and believes they're using social media to see if the coast is clear.

"I'm assuming though that they are watching social media because the first time he tried we were all in Vegas."

Shaunie says the family has been shaken by the events ... and they've decided to change the way they post to make sure no one knows when they are home, or out on the go.

"That was our family meeting last night -- no more posting current situations. We can't do that."

It wouldn't be the first time it's happened ... celebs like Kim Kardashian have toned down their social media exploits after feeling crooks used it against them, choosing to play it safe so they don't end up sorry.

Andre Rison NEVER encourages fighting on the football field ... but with the way Terrelle Pryor got absolutely punked by D.J. Swearinger on Tuesday -- the NFL legend says he's making an exception.

The ex-Falcons receiver tells us Pryor -- who lost a rep (and then his manhood) in a Skins-Jets joint practice -- shoulda found a way to exact revenge before the day was over.

"At some point in time, you've got to pick a play where you go back at that guy," Rison says. "Fisticuffs may occur."

Rison is speaking from experience ... telling TMZ Sports about the time his Falcons got into a full-out BRAWL with the Eagles during a joint practice that left him with a scar that's STILL ON HIS EYE.

Carmelo Anthony wants all the talk of him coming off the bench for the Houston Rockets to slooooow down ... with the NBA superstar telling TMZ Sports, "Let's just let it play out!"

FYI ... Melo is one of TWO NBA players to have never started a game on the bench in their first 1,000-plus career games -- joining Patrick Ewing.

But, some critics are predicting that streak to end now that Anthony's in his mid-30s with a lot of NBA miles on his body. Plus, there's so much talent in H-Town with guys like James Harden and Chris Paul -- so, there might not be enough basketball to go around.

Carmelo ain't so sure about all that, though ... telling us, "I just signed, let it start first!"

A judge has ordered LeSean McCoy to allow his ex-girlfriend, Delicia Cordon, back into his Georgia home, so she can collect her belongings ... as long as she has a sheriff to accompany her.

Cordon had moved out of the home after she was pistol whipped in a violent robbery on July 10 -- and McCoy has since changed the locks, according to court docs.

Cordon argued that she still had valuable pieces of property in the home -- including jewelry and photos -- but McCoy refused to let her retrieve the items.

But, moments ago, a state court judge in Fulton County signed off on a plan for Cordon to go to the house on August 20 at 2 PM with a deputy sheriff who will supervise while she collects her stuff.

The war between the two sides is far from over -- Cordon is suing McCoy in connection with the robbery and assault ... insinuating he orchestrated the incident.

Bradley Chubb ... your head just got JACKED UP!!!

It's the best rookie hazing tradition in football -- the Denver Broncos line up the rookies, break out the clippers and go to work ... churning out the UGLIEST hairdos they can think of.

No one is spared -- including Chubb (the 5th overall pick in the draft) ... with every rookie looking like they just got buzzed up by Stevie Wonder.

Linebacker Brandon Marshall documented the damage -- some players got a checkerboard do ... others got a Coolio look. One dude got the ol' Friar Tuck (just like the one Tim Tebow got back in the day).

Don't worry ... it'll grow back.

The Mayor of Philadelphia knows his football -- and tells TMZ Sports when the Eagles kick off the regular season, he wants to see Nick Foles under center ... not Carson Wentz.

Of course, there's a bit of a QB controversy in Philly -- Wentz is an absolute stud but Foles got the job done in the playoffs and was named MVP of the Super Bowl.

But, Mayor Jim Kenney says it's not a debate in his mind -- he wants to see Foles as the starter ... no disrespect to Wentz.

In fact, Kenney says he knows Wentz is still nursing that knee injury -- and he doesn't want to see Carson rush back before he's absolutely 100% healthy.

In a way, it's actually a compliment to Carson.

Still no birthday sex for Tim Tebow ... but the former Heisman Trophy winner got the next best thing for his 31st -- best wishes from the hottest chick in the galaxy!!

Of course ... Tim's been dating Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters -- aka Miss Universe 2017 -- for a while ... and FINALLY, Demi made it Insta official, with DLNP wishing Tim a happy birthday Tuesday.

"Happy Birthday Timmy ❤️," she wrote.

"You are such a bright light in so many people’s lives. Have the best day ever!"

Tim's been smitten with the 23-year-old South African for quite a bit ... telling ESPN back in July, "She is a really special girl and I am very lucky and blessed for her coming into my life."

Seems like an engagement COULD be coming ... which means for Timmy's next birthday, maybe he'll finally get to cross home plate!

LeSean McCoy accused his ex-girlfriend, Delicia Cordon, of taking his prized Kobe Bryant sneakers during their heated eviction war ... but she claims he's full of crap.

Cordon is the same woman who was pistol whipped during a robbery at McCoy's Georgia home back in July -- an incident she has strongly insinuated was orchestrated by LeSean.

Before that incident, McCoy had filed court docs seeking to have her evicted from the home -- claiming they had broken up and he wanted her gone. She resisted and now Cordon has filed court docs of her own.

In the docs, Cordon claims McCoy illegally removed roughly $10,000 in furniture that she owned during a "wrongful eviction" back in June -- and she wants it back.

She also claims McCoy accused her of stealing his Kobes -- a claim she adamantly denies.

"Ms. Cordon does not know anything about Kobe Bryant sneakers nor would she have a reason to take Kobe Bryant sneakers," her lawyer wrote in an email to McCoy's attorney.

The case is set to go in front of the judge Tuesday -- McCoy is not expected to attend in person since he's at Bills training camp.

Former boxing star Jermain Taylor just scored a W in his domestic violence case -- prosecutors dropped the charges against him after the accuser suddenly stopped cooperating with authorities.

Taylor -- the former undisputed middleweight champ -- was arrested back in July 2017 for allegedly biting and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend, Ashley White, during an argument.

White told police she pepper sprayed Taylor when he took her cell phone -- and he broke it when she tried to call for help. She also claimed Taylor chased her out of the house and down the street.

Taylor was initially charged with felony terroristic threats, misdemeanor domestic battery and interference with emergency communication.

But, White went off the grid about a year ago, according to prosecutors who told the court they had been trying like hell to speak with her in order to prosecute Taylor.

Prosecutors said they went to her home, left messages and spoke with family members -- but nothing panned out.

On Monday ... prosecutors decided without White they couldn't get a conviction -- so, they moved to drop all charges against him.