NBA

FLOYD ‘MONEY’ MAYWEATHER isn’t short of means with which to treat himself.
So for his birthday, it really is the thought that counts.

YouTubers the ‘Wooter Boys’ met with Floyd Mayweather to give him a £10,000 gift

Mayweather received an ultra-rare Topps chrome card featuring NBA legends Kobe Bryant and LeBron James

And when he recently turned 44 last month, YouTubers the ‘Wooter Boys’ treated Floyd to a super rare Topps chrome card featuring NBA legends Kobe Bryant AND LeBron James.
The amazing collector’s item featuring two of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA is thought to be worth around $15,000 (£10,800).
After giving the card to Mayweather, one of the gifters urged him to look after it, saying it could be worth $100,000 within ten years.
To which Floyd replied: “Can I let LeBron sign it?”

Mayweather is a fan of the NBA, was regularly seen courtside at games and has previously outlined his intention to own a franchise one day.
And when he was snubbed by the Associated Press for their Male Athlete of the Decade award in favour of the LA Lakers star, he admitted that he ‘loves’ LeBron… despite being annoyed at not winning.
He told Drink Champs: “I love LeBron James, but when we’re talking about Athlete of the Decade, that’s me. That’s me. Hands down.
“We talking about from 1996 to 2020 and I’ve never received Athlete of the Decade. At the top of Forbes and I’m my own boss.”

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Mayweather hung up the gloves with a perfect 50-0 professional record in 2017, after beating Conor McGregor.
But he has since returned for an exhibition against Tenshin Nakusawa, and is set for another busy year.
Already set to face YouTuber Logan Paul, who lost to KSI in 2019, SunSport exclusively revealed that he could also face the internet star’s brother Jake.
But only if the younger Paul bro can overcome MMA fighter Ben Askren.
Triller chief Ryan Kavanaugh told SunSport: “For the right price we would definitely do that. If Jake wins this fight it makes a big difference.
“He would have beaten one of the best fighters there is, he may not be the best boxer, we don’t know, but he’s a real fighter.
“If Jake then calls for a big fight, he has a little more credibility to do it. If Jake wins this fight, he can go to major fights, a Mayweather-type thing.”

Floyd is set to return to the ring for more exhibitions in 2021Credit: AFP – Getty

Floyd Mayweather rocks up to star-studded, Miami-Vice themed 44th birthday party in stunning £2m Bugatti More

FLOYD ‘MONEY’ MAYWEATHER isn’t short of means with which to treat himself.
So for his birthday, it really is the thought that counts.

The ‘Wooter Boys’ met with Mayweather to give him their gift

Mayweather received an ultra-rare Topps chrome card featuring Kobe and LeBron

And when he recently turned 44 last month, YouTubers ‘Wooter Boys’ treated Floyd to a super rare Topps chrome card featuring Kobe Bryant AND LeBron James.
The amazing collector’s item featuring two of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA is thought to be worth around £10,000.
After giving the card to Mayweather, one of the gifters urged him to look after it, saying it could be worth 100,000 dollars within ten years.
To which Floyd replied: “Can I let LeBron sign it?”

Mayweather is a fan of the NBA, having previously outlined his intention to own a franchise one day.
And when he was snubbed by the Associated Press for their Male Athlete of the Decade award in favour of the LA Lakers star, he admitted that he ‘loves LeBron… despite being annoyed at not winning.
He told Drink Champs: “I love LeBron James, but when we’re talking about Athlete of the Decade, that’s me. That’s me. Hands down.
“We talking about from 1996 to 2020 and I’ve never received Athlete of the Decade. At the top of Forbes and I’m my own boss.”

[embedded content]
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Mayweather hung up the gloves with a perfect 50-0 professional record in 2017, after beating Conor McGregor.
But he has since returned for an exhibition against Tenshin Nakusawa, and is set for another busy year.
Already set to face YouTuber Logan Paul, who lost to KSI in 2019, SunSport exclusively revealed that he could also face the internet star’s brother Jake.
But only if the younger Paul bro can overcome MMA fighter Ben Askren.
Triller chief Ryan Kavanaugh told SunSport: “For the right price we would definitely do that. If Jake wins this fight it makes a big difference.
“He would have beaten one of the best fighters there is, he may not be the best boxer, we don’t know, but he’s a real fighter.
“If Jake then calls for a big fight, he has a little more credibility to do it. If Jake wins this fight, he can go to major fights, a Mayweather-type thing.”

Floyd is set to return to the ring for more exhibitions in 2021Credit: AFP – Getty

Floyd Mayweather rocks up to star-studded, Miami-Vice themed 44th birthday party in stunning £2m Bugatti More

JAKE PAUL claimed Lamar Odom is ‘f***ing up boxing’ by fighting rapper Aaron Carter on June 12.
The YouTuber, who was 2-0 in his own career, was asked about the new wave of ‘celebrity boxing’.

Jake Paul claimed Lamar Odom is ‘f***ing up boxing’ by fighting rapper Aaron Carter

Ex-NBA star Lamar Odom was married to Khloe KardashianCredit: Getty – Contributor

Paul, 24, denied it was even a thing and insisted only himself and big brother Logan, 25, are celebrities who have crossed over to the ring.
Talking on I AM ATHLETE, the social media star was quizzed on the exhibition between Khloe Kardashian’s ex-husband Odom and recording artist Carter.
But Paul, 24, hit back: “F** that. That’s weak s***. That’s f***ing up boxing.
“He’s fighting this little f***er, let’s not even talk about that.”

Odom, 41, is 6ft 10in and spent 14 seasons in the NBA whereas Carter, 33, is 6ft 1in – but both have no fighting experience in the ring.
Celebrity boxing promoter Damon Feldman, brother to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship president David, is putting on the event.
Feldman told TMZ Sports: “A lot of people got in touch, it’s going to be a show.
“Both fighters, Aaron has boxing experience, Lamar is an athlete and it just has the potential to be one of the biggest celebrity fights of all time.

Aaron Carter will fight Lamar Odom on June 12
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“It’s gonna be a war, man. It’s gonna be a knockout, no doubt.”
The bout is just a three-round exhibition and not professionally sanctioned.
Paul has two knockouts to his name, against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, since turning pro.
And he is now set to face retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36, in his third pro bout, scheduled for April 17.
The social media star, who has over 20MILLION subscribers, argues his career as a fighter is legitimate and should not be categorised in the celebrity boxing bracket.
Paul said: “I take it serious. I take it serious.
“I’m dedicated, I’m in Big Bear California, I’m in Las Vegas, sparring professionals, two-a-day, for the past three years.
“Yes, I’m a celebrity who boxes but like celebrity boxing isn’t really a thing, it’s just me and my brother doing it.”

Jake Paul, left, pictured with big brother LoganCredit: Instagram @jakepaul

Trainer Viddal Riley admits KSI needs two or three bouts before ultimate fight against YouTube rival Jake Paul More

NATE ROBINSON has gone from NBA superstar to boxing beginner – ready to make his debut on Mike Tyson’s undercard.
The three-time Slam Dunk champion has swapped the basketball sneakers for boxing boots as he prepares for his first ever fight.

Nate Robinson has gone from an NBA superstar to boxing beginner

Robinson makes his debut on Mike Tyson’s undercard

He faces YouTuber Jake Paul over six rounds on Saturday, and will attempt to conquer two sports in doing so.
Robinson, 36, tells SunSport: “I want to prove to everybody that I’m one of the greatest athletes to ever walk the earth. 
“I want to show the kids with hard work and dedication and when you believe in yourself you can do anything.
“It’s more than to be famous or to be seen, that’s nothing. 

“I have so much to prove and I want to prove it to myself that I can do anything.”
Robinson has been incorporating boxing training in his workouts for three years with his strength and condition coach Chris Denina.
They believed the pad work helped with hand eye-coordination needed in basketball.
But Robinson has not featured in the NBA since 2015, and most recently played in Lebanese league in 2018.

Robison was a three-time NBA Slam Dunk championCredit: Getty Images – Getty

And after hearing an open challenge from Paul, 23, online, Robinson answered the call which kickstarted started his new journey.
At first the pair were just going to settle the score in a backyard bout streamed on YouTube.
But after their managers came together in May, they instead find themselves on the undercard of Tyson’s comeback fight against Roy Jones Jr.
Robinson explains: “I ran across one of Jake Paul’s YouTube streams on my Instagram, and he was saying he could knock out any athlete or YouTuber. 
“And I was like, ‘S***, I’ll fight you, what’s up?’ He wanted to see if it made sense and the fans took a liking to it.
“We were just going to set up some kind of backyard type deal and put it on YouTube.
“We had no clue we’d be on the Mike Tyson undercard, that’s a blessing.”

Robinson has been training at the Tenochtitlan gym in Renton

The ex-NBA star has spent the last six months preparing for the bout
Robinson has spent the last six months learning the ropes as a boxing novice under the guidance of trainer Francisco ‘Paco’ Reyes.
And Reyes reveals when the basketballer first walked into his Tenochtitlan gym in Renton, Washington, he was treated like any other newcomer – who had to fight for respect.
Reyes says: “To me, he wasn’t Nate Robinson. I train my amateurs and my professionals the same. 
“As soon as he stepped foot in the gym it was just a brand new person who needed to earn respect, earn his spot in the gym. 
“That’s how he’s been going about it from day one.”
Robinson was just 21 when he entered the NBA, debuting for the New York Knicks.
But all the years dedicated on the court are nothing compared to the months he has spent in the boxing gym.

Robinson has not played in the NBA since 2015 Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Robinson admits: “This is way harder than anything I’ve ever had to do in my life.
“Boxing training compared to basketball? Basketball is a walk in the park compared. 
“Basketball is easy, and then doing this for a couple months, I’ve never done anything harder.”
Robinson comes into the co-headliner as a betting underdog.
Paul is the more experienced fighter, having eased past his pro debut in January while also winning an exhibition bout in 2018.
But Robinson’s time sharing the court with some of the greatest stars in NBA history feels his team with confidence when it comes to handling pressure.

Robinson with his trainer Paco Reyes, left, and strength coach Chris Denina, far right
Trainer Reyes says: “I’m not worried about Jake. 
“Yes, he does have that experience in the ring, under the lights, Nate may not have been in the ring but he’s performed in front of people on the big stage. 
“He knows what it’s like to perform against some of the best basketball players and athletes in the world.” 
Robinson adds: “I’ve played against some of the greatest players in the world, Kobe Bryant, rest in peace, I’ve played against Lebron James, Alan Iverson, Shaq, you name it. 
“I’ve blocked against some of the biggest guys and showcased my talent and always held my own.
“Come the 28th I’ll show what Nate Robinson is all about.”
The same players who helped carve Robinson’s confidence will be supporting him this weekend.

Jake Paul won his pro boxing debut in January Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Paul alongside his brother and fellow YouTuber Logan Credit: Getty Images – Getty
He says: “So many of my NBA buddies are just upset they can’t come to the match. 
“They’re all going to have fight parties, and order the fight and show their love and support.”
Robinson’s months of learning and dedication will all come to a close when he laces up the gloves for the first time.
And he has already envisioned success on the night – in whatever form necessary.
He reveals: “I’ve been writing in my journal this whole time, something I’ve done since I hooped, I like to visualise what I feel should happen. 
“I just want victory. Whether I’m knocking him out or we have to go the six rounds, I just want to win, it doesn’t matter how I get it done. 
“I want to show what heart looks like, what a champion looks like.”

Jake Paul blasted for not being a ‘true boxer’ after posting brutal sparring footage against ‘inexperienced fighters’ More

JAKE PAUL dropped a sparring partner in preparation to face ex-NBA star Nate Robinson – and revealed his fight diet consists of McDonald’s.
The YouTuber – who won his pro boxing debut in February – was set to face Robinson in September.

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Jake Paul dropped a sparring partner in the gym

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Paul is preparing to face ex-NBA star Nate Robinson
But the fight, the chief support of Mike Tyson’s comeback fight against Roy Jones Jr, has now been moved back to November.
Paul’s trainer BJ Flores released footage of the 23-year-old American flooring a sparring partner in training.
The social media star steps out of range and fires a right hand which causes his sparring partner to go down.
His opponent Robinson, who has not played in the NBA since the 2015-2016 season, will be boxing for the first time.

Such is Paul’s confidence in a first-round finish, he claims to be eating fast-food during camp as he predicts the fight only lasting a short amount of time.

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He told TMZ Sports: “I was eating McDonald’s the other day, and they were like ‘Should you be eating McDonald’s? You’re training for a fight.’
“I said the only reason it would matter is if the fight [goes] past one round, like I don’t need cardio for this s***.
“He’s getting knocked out in one round, on God.”

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The YouTuber won his pro boxing debut in FebruaryCredit: Getty Images – Getty More