Claressa Shields’ powerhouse team sets clear title target in Christina Hammer

If you could overlook the various braggadocious personalities populating the room, including Claressa Shields’ declaration to Szilvia Szabados that “I’m not gonna let you beat me in front of my family,” there was something basic and essential, completely gender non-specific, and as subtle as a jab to the schnozz, going on Wednesday at MGM Grand. Of the many things a boxer needs to reach the apex of a game that chews up most of them well below the mountaintop, two absolute mandates are a home base that embraces the fighter as a marketable commodity, and a television network that does the same.

a Dancing With the Starsa taps Mr. T and Charo

Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Simone Biles, Mr. T, Charo and figure skating silver medalist Nancy Kerrigan are among the 12-member cast announced today for the spring season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” The cast also includes the show’s first former Major League Baseball player, recently retired and well-traveled catcher David Ross, dance-pop star and “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast member Erika Jayne, Normani Kordei of the girl group Fifth Harmony and Nick Viall from “The Bachelor” franchise.

Muguruza retires in Dubai 2nd round with Achilles injury

French Open champion Garbine Muguruza retired with a left Achilles injury in her second-round match against Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday. The seventh-ranked Muguruza drew the trainer on court when trailing 3-0, but they spoke only during the medical timeout and she didn’t receive any treatment.

3 former USA gymnasts detail alleged abuse from team physician

Three former stars of the U.S. national women’s gymnastics team said Dr. Lawrence Nassar, the team physician now charged with child sex crimes, worked hard to win their trust – so they didn’t believe at first that his alleged abuse was wrong. “He was like my buddy,” Jamie Dantzscher – one of more than 60 women to come forward with abuse allegations against Nassar – told “60 Minutes” in an episode about the case.

Winter Asian Games kick off with opening ceremony in Sapporo

The Asian Winter Games officially got underway Sunday with an opening ceremony that united winter athletes from the world’s most populous continent. With the Winter Olympics just a year and a short distance away in South Korea, the continent’s leading winter athletes will use the games to fine tune for Pyeongchang 2018.

Oscar Schmidt finally gets a taste of the NBA … sort of

The Brazilian basketball great and five-time Olympian joined a parade of retired NBA stars, current WNBA players, team owners, celebrity musicians and television personalities at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Friday night. A day after his 59th birthday, Schmidt went 2 for 2 in the game and scored four points.

Swoopes part of latest Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame class

The six-person class announced Sunday also includes official Sally Bell, Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women founder Christine Grant, Middle Tennessee coach Rick Insell, former Southern Connecticut State coach Louise O’Neal and Olympic gold medalist Kara Wolters. Hall of Fame officials also announced Sunday they will recognize the 1975, 1976 and 1977 Delta State teams as “trailblazers of the game.”

Toronto Furies headline rosters of CWHL All-Star Game

The one year mark to the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang passed two days ago. The Olympics have been the sole source of exposure to the women’s game for most hockey fans, but the Canadian Women’s Hockey League is working hard to create new avenues for women hockey players to showcase their talent.

‘Hamilton’ actress, Luke Bryan reflect on Super Bowl moments

Lady Gaga takes a selfie with Christian Carino before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. Lady Gaga walks on the field before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.

Super Bowl 2017: New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons dodge questions about Donald Trump

While much of the world is talking about US President Donald Trump’s executive orders – including travel restrictions on seven Muslim-majority nations – players and coaches at the Super Bowl remain silent. Movie and television stars, business tycoons and politicians have all expressed concern over President Trump’s controversial policies but members of the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, who will clash in the National Football League’s championship game on Sunday, dodged questions with the same skill they slip tackles.

Lipinski, Weir shine as a top pair at skating championships

Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski pose for a photo while working the broadcast at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski pose for a photo while working the broadcast at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo.

Today in History: December 30

Undated photo of Rasputin, the self-styled monk who was killed 1916 by Prince Youssoupoff, because of his evil influence of the Russian Royal Family. On Dec. 30, 1916, Grigory Rasputin, the so-called “Mad Monk” who wielded considerable influence with Czar Nicholas II, was killed by a group of Russian noblemen in St. Petersburg.

Today in History: Dec 30, 2016

On Dec. 30, 1916, Grigory Rasputin, the so-called “Mad Monk” who wielded considerable influence with Czar Nicholas II, was killed by a group of Russian noblemen in St. Petersburg. In 1853, the United States and Mexico signed a treaty under which the U.S. agreed to buy some 45,000 square miles of land from Mexico for $10 million in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase.

Pita Taufatofua: Topless Tongan taekwondo star switches to snow

Pita Taufatofua — the topless and oiled Tongan taekwondo fighter who caused a social media storm at the Olympic Games — is turning his attention to qualifying for the Winter Olympics. His decision to wear traditional Tongan dress and cover himself in coconut oil at the opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro stole the show and provided one of the most talked-about moments of the 2016 Games.