Chuck Wepner to be honored with Bayonne, N.J. mural (PHOTO)

Artists have begun their work on a mural of former heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner, the pride of New Jersey and original inspiration for the first "Rocky" film.

The painting of the fighter better known as The Bayonne Bleeder, which is being organized by the Bayonne Community Development Office, is headed by artists Nicholas Macchia and Nestor Uraga, who have previously worked on another park mural in Wepner's hometown.

The mural is based on a photo of a gloved and ready Chuck Wepner, wearing his championship belt, and giving the same pre-fight stare he gave 51 opponents in his hardscrabble journeyman career.

The mural will first be done on parachute fabric with spray paint and acrylic paint, according to the artists. When completed, it will be hung up on a wall outside of a cafe at 33rd Street and Broadway, reported NJ.com. 

Community Development Office Assistant Director Samantha Howard said in a statement that the mural will be a dedication to Wepner's life and accomplishments as a "local hero."

Wepner fought Muhammad Ali on March 24, 1975, going 15 rounds with the champ and knocking him down at one point, although some people contend the knockdown was probably helped by Wepner's foot being on top of Ali's.

A gassed Wepner would later lose to Ali at 2:41 in the final round — a fight which was to become his legacy.

"The mural...will be completed by March 24th, marking four decades since he stepped into the ring with the greatest boxer of all time," said Howard.

They're gonna need a lot red paint for the blood... and the heart.

Stolen NASCAR Sprint Car found in woods: Report

Police in Georgia found a NASCAR Sprint Cup car that was stolen from a hotel parking lot days before the driver was scheduled to race.

Travis Kvapil's No. 44 race car was found Saturday morning in Loganville, Georgia — not far from where the trailer holding the car was taken — according to Team Xtreme Racing. It had been stolen early Friday morning.

Before police found the car, Kvapil said that he thought his race team was playing a joke on him when they called him about it. They still don't know who or why the trailer was ripped off but theorize the crook(s) didn't realize it contained the car.

Lost and Found section of the road. pic.twitter.com/L3cEdi9o0R
— Team XTREME Racing (@Teamxtreme44) February 28, 2015

Surveillance video shows a black pickup truck speeding off with a 15-foot trailer, which had the car inside. Team Xtreme racing owner John Cohen said today he believed the thieves were only after the trailer and did not realize the car, an extra engine, and $100,000 worth of spare parts were also inside.

Wow. Anyone near Atlanta find my stolen Cup car let me know! Unreal
— Travis Kvapil (@TravisKvapil) February 27, 2015

Despite finding the car, Kvapil will not be able to race in Sunday's Sprint Cup race. His team was forced to withdraw when it missed NASCAR's mandatory inspection on Friday.

Tyler Hansbrough, Festus Ezeli ejected after fight (VIDEO)

An already physical game took a rougher turn after Warriors center Festus Ezeli and Raptors forward Tyler Hansbrough were ejected for fighting during Golden State's 113-89 blowout victory in Toronto on Thursday.

MUST-SEE VIDEO: Festus Ezeli, Tyler Hansbrough ejected after scuffle in Toronto http://t.co/Nxws4Zj1pU #Warriors #NBA pic.twitter.com/ph9efvhM2D
— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNAuthentic) February 28, 2015

Ezeli and Hansbrough became entangled as they battled for position in the paint, and Ezeli confronted Hansbrough as Toronto prepared to inbound the ball.

Replays showed Ezeli push Hansbrough's neck and face with his right hand, prompting Hansbrough to swipe him away and then charge at him. Hansbrough shoved Ezeli with both hands, and Ezeli retreated before swinging with his arms and missing in retaliation. Finally, officials and members from both teams stepped in to break up the two players.

The NBA league office will review the altercation and determine whether Ezeli and/or Hansbrough should be assessed a fine and/or suspension.

Manny Pacquiao records own entrance song for Mayweather fight (VIDEO)

Manny Pacquiao is pretty good at a lot of things — boxing, basketball ... did I mention boxing? Hoops aside, one talent PacMan really enjoys showing off is his love of song.

And, while the boxer prepares for his May 2 fight against undefeated Floyd Mayweather, the Filipino hit the studio and laid down a track titled “Lalaban ako para sa Pilipino” or “I will fight for the Philippines,” which he plans to use as his entrance song.

VIDEO: Manny Pacquiao records his own entrance song for his fight with Floyd Mayweather http://t.co/eIC9euycv2 pic.twitter.com/eeVpj36eBD
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 28, 2015

Pacquiao collaborated with composer Lito Camo on the song. Footage provided by Philippines TV station SAKSI gives us a taste of what will surely pump up the homeland crowd.



It's no Mama Said Knock You Out or even Eye Of The Tiger, but it's way better than anything Justin Bieber will be contributing to Mayweathers's camp.

Again... did I mention boxing?

Drunk fan pukes on himself during Canadiens-Senators game (VIDEO)

It's been a while since Montreal Canadiens fans had anything to celebrate but, even when your team is a front-runner in the NHL, that's still no reason to overindulge in the Molson.

That's what apparently happened to this guy who did a slow puke while seated in the Belle Centre stands.

Drunk Canadiens Fan Throws Up On Himself http://t.co/1Ah7IEQyIL pic.twitter.com/Upm3XtfSsa
— Charm City Wire (@charmcitywire) February 27, 2015

It's barely even cute when an infant baby upchucks on himself. But true to their nature, the Canadian fans politely back away while the slow eruption of vomit streams down the man's bearded face.

And they even take drunkie's beer out of his hands so he doesn't hurl into the cup!



The best part? The dude gets up and acts like nothing happened.

Travis Kvapil has Sprint Cup car stolen from parking lot, out of Sunday’s race: Report

Travis Kvapil was slated to drive the No. 44 Team Xtreme Racing Chevrolet in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but the car was stolen Thursday night.

According to ESPN.com's Bob Pockrass, a trailer containing the car was taken from the parking lot of a hotel in Morrow, Georgia.

With the car now missing, Team Xtreme has no choice other than to withdraw from Sunday's race but, in an effort to potentially catch the perpetrator, Kvapil tweeted photos of the hijacked trailer:

Here it is......New Jersey plates pic.twitter.com/YayDb2Ya6u
— Travis Kvapil (@TravisKvapil) February 27, 2015

While you have to feel sorry for Kvapil and his one-car team — which had very little chance of winning at Atlanta —  it's funny to wonder how No. 44 will look cruising down I-75.

Las Vegas approves Olympic betting: Report

This summer, while the best athletes climb podiums wearing gold, silver and bronze medals in Rio de Janeiro, gamblers in Las Vegas will be cashing in their betting slips at casino windows.

On Thursday, the Nevada Gaming Commission voted to allow the state's sports books to offer bets on the Olympics for the first time in over a decade.

Prior to yesterday's reversal, betting on the Olympics was discouraged because of it involved amateur athletes, but professional athletes now also compete. 

And it didn’t take long for Nevada sports books to begin offering betting lines on the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Within minutes after the Nevada Gaming Commission unanimously approved the regulation on Thursday, William Hill US established Jamaica’s Usain Bolt as a -200 favorite for the men’s 100 meters and said the USA men’s basketball team is a -320 favorite to win the gold medal for the third consecutive games.

The new regulation allows bookmakers to place betting lines on Olympic sporting or athletic events sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee. The chairman of the Gaming Control Board has the authority to remove an event or contest from betting activity.

After discussions in public workshops, the only question going into Thursday’s meeting was whether or not the Gaming Commission would prohibit wagers on events such as figure skating that are scored by judges. That notion was never addressed.

International sports books in Great Britain, Ireland and Australia and offshore Internet sites already allow such bets. South Point Hotel Casino pushed for the change with the support of other sports-book operators.

So start handicapping those little gymnasts. Because that next 10 may win you 20.

Mayweather-Pacquaio WBC title belt will have new look : Report

The boxing world finally has the high-profile fight it has been waiting for, so it's only fitting it gets a special championship belt to match its record-breaking purse.

World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the winner of the long-awaited bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will receive a new belt to highlight the event's importance.

The WBC's official site passed along comments from Sulaiman, who also applauded both fighters for putting their legacies on the line:

"For this special recognition I would like to have emeralds or platinum, but everything will be defined during the next weeks. This is because of the magnitude of the event, which will be broadcast via TV networks globally.

"It came in a good moment and it will be an emotive event. Both are obviously putting their legacy at stake, to prove who's the best, satisfying an enormous created expectance. They are also competing to be considered one of the best 10 fighters in the entire boxing history."

The May 2 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is the most expensive sporting ever promoted — with $250,000 ringside seats — so a new belt to commemorate the historic welterweight encounter seems apropos.

Sulaiman didn’t reveal any details about the new belt but, I'm guessing it'll be real sparkly.

Soccer team admits video of couple 'having sex' on pitch was PR stunt (VIDEO)

More than a million people have viewed a video of a couple "having sex" on an English soccer team's stadium pitch before it was revealed that the amorous rendezvous was just a publicity stunt.

The footage was uploaded to a Vine account on Wednesday afternoon and appeared to show a mystery couple sneaking into Charlton Athletic's soccer stadium — The Valley in south east London — and getting it on in the middle of the pitch.

WARNING: Video may be a little randy for some tastes:

(home of Charlton) and did this in the centre circle! #SextraTime https://t.co/rK7LqzxhNY more act > more action than wats been seen @ VP 🙈
— Daz AVFC Wilkes (@DazAvfcWilkes) February 26, 2015

After initially denying knowledge of the video, Charlton have now admitted it was a publicity stunt for a scheme allowing soccer fans to score — for real — at the club's ground. The Football League Championship team is renting out their pitch for fans to play on in the summer.

The clip was taken from a 1 minute 20 second advertisement launched on their website under the headline "Score at the Valley."

And you thought Keychain Night at your local stadium was a big deal.

Rex Ryan gets new Buffalo Bills-themed pick-up truck (PHOTO)

Ex-Jets coach Rex Ryan is really taking this Buffalo Bills thing pretty seriously.

First Ryan changed the colors of his famous Mark Sanchez tattoo, from Jets green to Bills blue.

And now, a photo of a Bills-themed design for Ryan's pick-up truck is making the rounds:

Rex Ryan has a new truck in Buffalo; It is decked out Buffalo style (LOOK) - http://t.co/z8YlWgFrvI pic.twitter.com/m8rifW9C9s
— NFL Draft Diamonds (@DraftDiamonds) February 26, 2015

At least Rex will be stylin' when he picks up those frosted pizza pies.

Aaron Hernandez 'drunk and high' and dancing at gas station an hour before alleged murder (VIDEO)

Aaron Hernandez and a group of friends ran up a $243 bar tab and smoked marijuana in the hours before the boyfriend of his fiance's sister was shot to death, according to testimony at the ex-New England Patriot's murder trial on Thursday.

Just over an hour before the killing of Odin Lloyd on June 17, 2013, video surveillance shows Hernandez staggering around a gas station and dancing near the gas pumps.

The video also shows a co-defendant, Carlos Ortiz, wearing a white towel around his shoulders. A white towel was found near Lloyd's body later that morning in an industrial park not far from Hernandez's home. 

Hernandez does a return dance at 1:48 of the surveillance video below:

Prosecutors haven't said who shot Lloyd but claim Hernandez orchestrated the killing.

Ortiz and another co-defendant, Ernest Wallace, have pleaded not guilty and will be tried separately.

Thursday's testimony began with an account from Kelly Rose Belanger, who was bar manager at South Street Cafe in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 16, 2013, which was Father's Day.

Another woman, Vanessa Sanchez, testified on Wednesday that she was among the six people in the group, which included Shayanna Jenkins, Hernandez's fiancee and the mother of his child. 

Prosecutors displayed a bar receipt from that night that showed the tab included 30 alcoholic drinks: 11 Hennessy cognacs, 10 Sex on the Beach mixed vodka drinks, seven Bud Lights and two Grey Goose vodkas.

Full receipt includes 11 Hennessys, 2 grey goose (geese?), 7 bud lights, 10 sex on beach pic.twitter.com/uepLY6aa2y
— Jenny Wilson (@jennydwilson) February 26, 2015

During the evening, Belanger said, Hernandez left the bar several times with one of the men he was with. She could smell marijuana and looked outside and saw Hernandez and the other man smoking it. She asked them to stop, and they did, she said.

Hernandez paid the $243 tab at 12:19 a.m. on June 17, leaving a $30 tip, Belanger said.

Less than two hours later, at 2:08 a.m., Hernandez and Ortiz were captured on video at a gas station south of Boston where Hernandez was filmed filling his Nissan Altima and walking unsteadily into the shop to buy gum and cigars.

Prosecutors said Hernandez left the gas station at 2:12 a.m. and drove to Lloyd's home in the Dorchester section of Boston. Evidence shows Lloyd was shot six times with a .45 by 3:30 a.m. and his bullet-riddled body was found in an industrial park less than a mile from Hernandez's house.

Police found a 45-caliber shell casing in a dumpster at a rental car agency, and witnesses testified it had been removed from a car Hernandez returned. Police have not found the gun used in the slaying.

Kevin Garnett reunites with fat shirtless Timberwolves fan (VIDEO)

Kevin Garnett got a rousing introduction during his return to Minnesota — after a not-so-joyous stint with the Nets — and got a chance to rekindle his relationship with the dude who dances shirtless at Timberwolves games.

And KG reciprocated the love:

Never saw him smile like that in Brooklyn.

Calling Yankees 'cheap' really irks Hal Steinbrenner: Report

Want to get a rise out of Hal Steinbrenner without mentioning the name A-Rod? Try saying "cheap."

That's cheap as in skinflint, tightwad or penny-pincher. Words not normally associated with the New York Yankees.

In an interview with the New York Post's Joel Sherman on Wednesday, Steinbrenner said the idea that the Yankees — just two days after losing out on the Yoan Moncada bidding war — have become thrifty just isn't fair.

"[Our payroll] is about as high as it has ever been," Steinbrenner told the Post. "And on top of that add the roughly $30 million we spent last [July] when we saw a pretty good foreign market, one of the best there has been and we got six or seven of the top 10 or 11 guys. So there is money spent for not just now, but the future."

Steinbrenner offered $12.5 million for Moncada, only to double it over the weekend for the Yankees' final offer, a figure GM Brian Cashman said was rejected without a chance to counter. (A $25 million offer would have meant $50 million in all because of the penalty for the Yankees having gone over the international spending limit.)

"For Moncada, that was just how far I was going to go for a player who is 19 years old and at least two years away from the majors," Steinbrenner said. "It was a hell of an offer. It might have ended up at $35 million if I continued to be in it."

And why the sudden frugality?

Here's another C-word to make Steinbrenner bristle — contract. Like the $61 million albatross A-Rod currently holds over the club's head.

Alex Rodriguez gets physical from Yankees doctor he sued: Report

One of the more awkward moments in a man's life is having a physician doing a turn your head and cough examination but, imagine what its like when the doctor squeezing your boys is someone you sued for malpractice?

Ouch Doc. Isn't that just a little too tight?

That kind of unit-shrinking doctor’s visit took place Monday in Florida when Alex Rodriguez got a physical examination from Yankee team physician Christopher Ahmad. That's the doctor whom A-Rod sued in 2013 for malpractice as part of his desperate "see you and everyone else in court" bid to avoid a MLB ban for steroid use.

For more than nine months in 2013 and 2014, Ahmad endured a highly-publicized lawsuit in which Rodriguez accused him of hiding the MRI results of a torn labrum in A-Rod’s left hip — of performing his duties “carelessly, unskillfully, negligently and not in accordance with accepted standards.”

And there he was Monday, bent over an examination table, his pants around his ankles and Ahmad snapping on the rubber gloves.

The Yankees sent Rodriguez to Ahmad, after A-Rod unexpectedly appeared early at the team’s spring training facility in Tampa without informing the team that he was arriving three days early. 

Rodriguez, who sued then-commissioner Bud Selig, MLB, the Players Association and Ahmad, dropped all of his lawsuits last year and has admitted to the doping charges.

And last week, Rodriguez issued a handwritten apology letter to a list of those he claimed he was sorry for attacking and maligning as he battled his MLB suspension for violating the game's drug policy — "To Major League Baseball, the Yankees, the Steinbrenner family, the Players Association and you, the fans, I can only say I'm sorry." — with no mention of Ahmad.

Somewhere Brian Cashman is smiling.

Robinson Cano cites Seattle weather for last season’s weight gain: Report

During Robinson Cano's first season with the Mariners his stats were a little lighter than the ones he usually put up when he was starring for the Yankees. But those dwindling numbers reportedly didn't coincide with the heavier digits he put on the bathroom scale by season's end.

The second baseman still put up decent numbers on the stat sheet. He was an All-Star Game starter, a Gold Glove finalist and he was fifth in the American League MVP voting, but how many fans noticed a little more heft under the uniform?

Robinson may have hit .314 with 14 home runs and 82 RBI (relatively light numbers for the slugger) but now, the Seattle Times revealed another reason Cano didn't look like the same player he was in pinstripes: He was carrying 20 pounds more than he did by the end of the season in New York. 

And the reason for his six-month weight gain? The Seattle weather.

The Times wrote:

Cano weighed in at 212 pounds in his official physical Tuesday — down 13 from last season.

The reason?

When he was playing in New York and on the East Coast, the oppressive heat and humidity in the summer would cause him to lose weight. He'd start the season around 220-225 and finish at 205-210. However, with the moderate Seattle climate, Cano did not shed those pounds.

So he decided to come in a little lighter this season, something the Mariners also wanted. It should take some pressure off his legs. Cano's goal always is to play in as many games as possible; being a little lighter should help.

The weight loss was impressive considering Cano had to take six weeks off to rest a broken pinky toe he suffered in Japan while playing for a touring MLB all-star team.

And it's somewhat surprising that Robbie didn't bulk up more in New York. Especially with all those delicious Dominican rice-and-bean joints he loves up in Washington Heights.

I just got fatter thinking about it.

Did Luis Suarez bite another opponent for fourth time? (VIDEO)

The old saying goes Never bite the hand that feeds you. But it never mentions anything about the hand that tries to defend you — at least in Luis Suarez's book.

The newly acquired Barcelona striker, who has a taste for his opponents as well as the net, looks like he took a little nibble from the hand of Manchester City's Martin Demichelis' hand in the waning minutes of the Champions League game the other night.

Dining alfresco during a match seems to be Suarez's specialty and while his latest tasting on the pitch didn't get a red card, it appears he hasn't curbed his serial biter ways.

Is this Luis Suarez biting an opponent for the FOURTH time? #LFC #MCFC: http://t.co/ragcn8YfVC pic.twitter.com/I8OoNinRj9
— Daily Star (@Daily_Star) February 25, 2015

Here's the video bite:

There was no reaction from Demichelis or his City team-mates but, with Suarez's past history, the league will probably take a close look at the tape — and the teeth marks.

Alex Rodriguez has unlikely supporter in Hank Aaron: Report

Alex Rodriguez has been hard at work repairing his tattered image and beside cultivating new fans by high-fiving kids too young to be haters, the Yankees pariah is getting support from one unexpected person. 

Namely, Hank Aaron, the Hall of Famer.

"I am rooting for him," Aaron told Newsday. "Despite all of the things that people say he had been involved in, I'm rooting for him to come back and have a great year."

Still, the former home-run champ is unsure of how 40-year-old A-Rod will do this season in his return to baseball and the Yankees.  Rodriguez missed the past season due to a year-long suspension for his admitted role in the Biogenesis PED scandal.

"I am very much anxious to see what he's going to do," Aaron said. "I wish him well, but I just don't know. When you're [away] from playing the game the whole year and go out and then have to face kids that are throwing 90 miles an hour, it's a tough thing."

Aaron — who fought through his own form of adversity — ended up losing his home run crown to Barry Bonds, another tainted star. Yet, Hammerin' Hank made it clear that he believed records, including his, are meant to be broken.

"And I'm not sitting here saying the reason that a lot of these guys are breaking records are because of steroids," Aaron said. "I can't say that because I'm not God. I don't know [if] they've been in steroids, I can't say that. The only thing I can say is I wish them well and that they do the best they can. They have to live and meet their own maker, not me."

If Rodriguez manages to hit another 100 runs or so, and nears Aaron's home run mark of 755, the one-time career home-run king said he wouldn't mind watching him approach the milestone.

"If I wanted to go to the game and A-Rod was playing, I certainly would go to the game," said Aaron. "I've met A-Rod, and to be honest, between him and me, he's been nothing but a friend to me. I liked him."

That's a high-five A-Rod could surely use.

Dez Bryant's 'Ray Rice-style' video could jeopardize career: Report

Dez Bryant’s may have more than contract problems to deal with if a video clip reportedly "five times worse than the Ray Rice video" is released. Word is the Dallas Cowboys star's entire NFL career could be in jeopardy if the video he allegedly appears in is as bad as the rumors imply.

The rumored clip of Bryant doing something ‘Ray Rice-worthy’ has reportedly stalled his contract negotiations with the Dallas Cowboys and, according to Terez Owens,  a “source” has informed them the “incriminating video of Dallas Cowboys superstar receiver Dez Bryant is being released today or tomorrow” is to blame.

The Owens site reported:

THE INCRIMINATING VIDEO OF DALLAS COWBOYS SUPERSTAR RECEIVER DEZ BRYANT DOING SOMETHING SUPPOSEDLY RAY RICE WORTHY IS BEING RELEASED TODAY OR TOMORROW. ACCORDING TO OUR SOURCE, THE COWBOYS HAVEN’T DONE A HUGE DEAL WITH DEZ BECAUSE OF CONCERN OVER THE VIDEO. UNFORTUNATELY BRYANT’S TEAM WON’T BE ABLE TO STOP THE TAPE FROM GETTING OUT TO THE PUBLIC. OF COURSE COWBOYS COO STEPHEN JONES DENIES KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH A VIDEO. THIS IS GOING TO BE A GAME CHANGER FOR THE COWBOYS FUTURE. 

It was Later UPDATED: WE’RE BEING TOLD THE COWBOYS HAVE WARNED DEZ THE TAPE IS GOING TO BE RELEASED, AND FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS SEEN IT, THAT IT’S FIVE TIMES WORSE THAN THE RAY RICE VIDEO. HIS FOOTBALL CAREER IS IN JEOPARDY ACCORDING TO OUR SOURCE.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com said the Cowboys were afraid this “incident,” if released to the public, would have a “Ray Rice-type of an impact.” But, right now, it's all hearsay and there aren’t any details of what Bryant did. 

Stephen Jones, the COO of the Dallas Cowboys, claims the rumors are untrue and that no such video exists. But if it is real and the footage gets released to the public, it could also have a huge impact on the NFL.

And Bryant? He tweeted this:

Texas' Jonathan Holmes ejected for throwing hard elbow on WVU player (VIDEO)

Late in the first half of the Texas Longhorns' game against West Virginia, Texas forward Jonathan Holmes was pushed in the back by the Mountaineers' Devin Williams.

The shove was a little hard, but not as stiff as the elbow Holmes throws in retaliation. Holmes connected right on Williams' chin, and that earned him a flagrant-2 foul and an ejection. 

But, from this angle, it looks like Williams did a little acting to get the ref's attention:

Dude makes insane, behind-the-back ping pong shot (VIDEO)

This spinning, behind-the-back ping-pong winner by a NexyUSA.com player left his opponent in the fancy shirt playfully threatening to throw his shoe at his table tennis rival.

Thankfully, all it led to was some thumbs-up action.

Mysterious tunnel under Toronto stadium raises fears of terrorist attack: Report

A sophisticated tunnel has been discovered hidden near a major sporting venue and a university in Toronto and, with Canada already on edge over the threat of possible terrorist attacks, authorities are aren't counting out an extremist affiliation. 

The unusual tunnel was discovered by a municipal worker was walking through woods near York University and the Rexall Centre last month when he spotted a piece of corrugated metal on the ground, lifted it up and found a passageway, reported the CBC.

And questions still abound about who could have dug it out?

The tunnel was about 23-feet long and 6-feet tall and was lit by an electric generator. The walls and ceilings had been reinforced and tools had been left inside.

.@TorontoPolice ask WHO built this tunnel and WHY? http://t.co/KFXEhenj1x near Rexall Centre pic.twitter.com/mX0tWPV0hx
— Kevin Masterman (@tpspix) February 24, 2015

Authorities have now filled it in but police were tight-lipped about what its purpose might have been. But CBC said authorities had ruled out the possibility of the suspicious dig being a drug lab.

The 12,500 seat stadium plays host to a number of music and tennis events and has a park-like setting surrounding the venue. The arena was to be used for the Pan Am Games this summer. Authorities do not believe this posed a threat to the future sporting event.

Canadian authorities are on alert following two Islamist-influenced attacks last year that resulted in the deaths of two unarmed soldiers in Ottawa and Montreal. And a recent video by the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgent group has also raised tensions. In it a masked man threatened Canada's massive West Edmonton Mall, along with a mall in the United States and a major shopping district in Britain.

Officials are also aware that some Canadian Islamists have travelled to Syria to join Isis. 

Shebab carried out a bloody attack and takeover of a mall in Nairobi in September 2013 that killed at least 67 people.

The Mall of America, located in Minnesota and reputedly the country's largest with 40 million visitors a year, said it had taken extra security measures in response to the threat by the Shebab.

Bowler rolls 36 straight strikes for a series score of 900 (VIDEO)

A Massachusetts man who never bowled a perfect game in his life finally got one the other night.

Then he added two more for a "perfect series" score of 900.

Hakim Emmanuel accomplished the incredible feat of rolling 36 straight strikes Friday at Westgate Lanes in Brockton, Massachusetts. The 38-year-old's triple-300, if it goes down in the books, would make him the 27th person with a United States Bowling Congress-approved 900 series.

Here are the final three strikes in the video below:

So what goes through the mind of a bowler, whose previous high game was 290 (twice), looking at perfection for 36 rolls?

“Toward the end of the second 300, in the back of my mind, I was wondering if it was real and if I could do it again,” he said.

And there was no pin left behind.

Goalkeeper sparks brawl by jumping into stands (VIDEO)

A English soccer match ended in a brawl between players and fans, after a goalkeeper hopped into the stands to confront a loudmouth fan. 

After Kingstonian were beaten 2-1 by Bognor Regis Town at home in a Ryman Premier League game, goalkeeper Rob Tolfrey jumped the advertising boards in response to something shouted by someone in the crowd. Punches and words are exchanged, while a Bognor player watches, before players and staff from both sides jump into the melee to break things up.

The brawl lasted several minutes, with players continuing to push and shove each other on the pitch.

While it is not clear what sparked the incident, one player from the semi-pro club claimed that the keeper was punched in the face by a visiting fan during the incident.

Police were called in and are investigating.

Phil Jackson rips Knicks via Twitter after loss to Cavaliers

Phil Jackson apparently wasn't too happy with the Knicks' performance during a 101-83 blowout loss to the Cavaliers Sunday night. And afterwards, the Knicks president tweeted his feelings about the team he helped dismantle after the embarrassing defeat.

Late Sunday night, Jackson tweeted that the game gave the basketball gods " heartburn." He ended with the acronym "smh" — meaning "shake my head."

Today's game vs Cavs gave bb gods heartburn and those that know what "it" takes/means a smh.
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) February 23, 2015

It's especially ironic since the superior Cleveland team they lost to featured a couple of players Jackson traded away in January and who were making their first return visit to Madison Square Garden.

Adding to the Zen master's agita was the sight of those two former Knicks, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, hooking up on a spectacular alley-oop dunk:

The Knicks fell behind by 19 points in the first quarter and trailed by as many as 30 in the Pepto-inducing beatdown.

'Instagram Guy' gets in Nick Marshall's way at NFL Combine (VIDEO)

While Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall was setting up for his 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, some doofus was taking pictures where he wasn't supposed to be.

You can hear someone in the video below, yelling "Hey, Instagram guy, move!"

And former Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes was able to out the Insta-idiot.

The Elusive "Instagram Guy" pic.twitter.com/9XRzMBj9Zb
— Lawrence Tynes (@lt4kicks) February 21, 2015

MLB bans Cleveland Indians pitcher's homemade drone: Report

In a ruling which has to be the first of its kind for a player in the major leagues, Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer has been banned from photographing his teammates at spring training by Major League Baseball.

At least with the drone he built himself, according to MLB.com.

Bauer had been tweeting some interesting, if not extraordinary, aerial photos of the club's Arizona spring training facility, but that bird's eye view will come to an end.

Home for the next 6 weeks @Indians camp. Thanks to these fans for coming out and supporting us already! pic.twitter.com/n52fLgTKPU
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) February 18, 2015

And if Bauer can't make a name for himself in the drone photography game, he at least wants some credit for the new grounding rule.

Hey @MLB if my drone is really banned, can I at least have that rule named in my honor?
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) February 20, 2015

But not before taking one last shot ... at MLB.

Ok last one last one. I promise. @indians @mlb pic.twitter.com/wcF8rKwRNs
— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) February 21, 2015

It's on! Floyd Mayweather will fight Manny Pacquiao on May 2

For more than five years fight fans have screamed for a meeting between the two best fighters in the world, and after various failed negotiations and teases — Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have agreed to get it on May 2 to unify the fighters' welterweight world titles at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

After what seemed like the most intense speculation of any sporting event in history, Pacquiao (57-5-2) and Mayweather (47-0) have finally agreed to put it all on the line in Las Vegas for an estimated purse of $250 million (60/40 in Mayweather’s favor because that was the only way he’d agree to the fight.)

Mayweather made the announcement on Friday afternoon on a social media venue called  “Shots.”, where he wrote:

"What the world has been waiting for has arrived. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal.”

"I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did," he added, posting a picture of a signed contract.

       
The May Day Pay Day is a lock to be the richest in boxing history and will, barring a draw, settle the issue that has been debated for years: Who is the No. 1 fighter in boxing?

'The May Day Pay Day' - How the world reacted to the announcement of #MayweatherPacquiao http://t.co/YdjwL0fSkP pic.twitter.com/wEsXSgxcNH
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 21, 2015   

Argentinian soccer team given Viagra before match: Report

An Argentine soccer team was given Viagra before a match, as a purported remedy to counter altitude sickness while playing at a unusually high stadium, but still failed to score in a Copa Libertadores de America match in Bolivia. 

Club Atletico River Plate may have lost the match, 2-0, but, at least, the players could hold their heads high knowing they gave their opponents some stiff competition. 

After staffers from the visiting team from Buenos Aires learned that they would be facing San Jose de Oruro at an altitude of 12,400 feet, managers announced that players would have to start taking a cocktail of asprin, caffeine and 50 milligrams of Sildenafil, better known as Viagra, the drug that stimulates sexual performance in men.

However, the robust concoction wasn't enough to raise River Plate to victory and their impotent offense managed only one shot on target over the 90-minute match.

The team team doctor confirmed that the cocktail was to counter the effects of the high altitude saying: "Viagra will stimulate the circulation of oxygen in the blood and help footballers breathe better."

And that team bus ride home must have been awkward in more ways than one.

3-year-old taekwondo student will floor you with cuteness (VIDEO)

This pint-sized white belt may not have mastered the art of taekwondo from a physical standpoint just yet but, when it comes to enthusiasm, nobody is more dedicated.

Leeds Taekwondo & Premier Martial Arts Centre in England posted a video of 3-year-old Sophie Wong, reciting the student creed and the cuteness factor is off the chart.

Pony-tailed Sophie started learning taekwondo about a month ago, after being inspired by her 6-year-old brother who practices the martial art. The clip has reportedly been viewed more than 15 million times since the martial arts school first shared it on their Facebook page.

And if a smile hasn't cracked your face already, here's a mini martial arts match from last year that will:

Hiroki Kuroda describes time in MLB with one brutal word: Report

Hiroki Kuroda pitched for the Dodgers and the Yankees over the last seven years, and was one of the most reliable pitchers in the majors during that span. But upon his return to Japan, after leaving in 2007, he is not remembering his years playing in the U.S. as particularly wonderful.

During a news conference in Japan, Kuroda was asked how he viewed his time in the major leagues and used one word to describe it:

“To sum it up in one word, it was ‘tough,'” the right-hander said. “In a situation in which I didn’t understand the language and battled to make it through the season, the seven years were — including physically — tougher than they were enjoyable.”

Kuroda bolted the Yankees after last season and admitted his time playing in America was an arduous learning experience.

“In terms of technical aspects, I learned how to make adjustments. As far as mental aspects, I learned how to pitch in tough situations.”

The 40-year-old Kuroda was the Yankees’ most consistent pitcher the past three seasons, working on a succession of one-year deals during some relatively lean years for the club. Kuroda went a combined 38-33 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.16 WHIP and probably should had 50 wins if the Yankees gave him some run support. He previously pitched four seasons for the Dodgers.

Kuroda will start pitching  for the Hiroshima Carp this season — who have held his No. 15 since he left.

But here's hoping you make it back to Yankee Stadium for Old Timer's Day some time in the future Hiroki.

Andrea Petkovic throws racquet towards linesman during epic rant (VIDEO)

A hot-headed Andrea Petkovic went on a crazed rant over a bad call and threw her racquet in the direction of a linesman during a match at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The world's tenth-ranked woman's player flew into a rage after a ball was ruled in by the line judge when it appeared to land outside the baseline. The furious German then falls to her knees in frustration, banging her hands while screaming and pleading to the umpire, who remained unmoved by her protest.

Still fuming, Petkovic went on to lose the set on the next point, prompting her to throw her racquet in anger towards the bench, narrowly missing the linesman. Then, in an awkward moment, she sheepishly retrieves the racquet out from behind the advertising boards just feet away from the official as she makes her way back to her seat.

Her opponent, Zarina Diyas,  took advantage of her opponent's temper tantrum and loss of concentration by going on to win the set and the match 7-5, 6-3.

Model wears dress made of baseballs—Mets baseballs (PHOTO)

It's Fashion Week in New York City again — isn't it always — and since leather seems to be gaining popularity, with that whole 50 Shades thing going on, what better way to mix spring couture with spring training than wearing a dress made out of game-used baseballs.

To be specific, New York Mets game-used baseballs. Which means they haven't been hit too hard — or too often.

The photo comes via@HitchnerArt, and it's being worn by a pretty model who looks like she could jack one out of the park.

And the summer line might be made of Mr. Met's hide if Mrs. Met ever catches him gawking at the kinky outfit a little too long.

YOU can win this wearable art Mets Baseball Dress http://t.co/HO7urN2rY7 #hitchnerart #metsdress #Stluciemets pic.twitter.com/mvJGHOfsUY
— HitchnerArt (@HitchnerArt) February 18, 2015

Curious crow videobombs NHL webcam at Levi's Stadium (VIDEO)

The NHL made a time-lapse video of the rink they were constructing in Levi’s Stadium for the Feb. 21 Stadium Series game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks. 

And had an unexpected visitor.

This curious crow seems to be squawking into the webcam — probably something about the Seahawks, Harbaugh or some other flighty things.

Hey little guy, you might be happier 3,000 miles east inside M&T Bank Stadium with all of your other Raven buddies.

Las Vegas goes dark in honor of Jerry Tarkanian (PHOTO)

Just as it has for only a select few of the city's brightest stars, the lights along the Las Vegas strip and other spots in the city went dark late Wednesday night in honor of former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian.

Most Strip casinos dimmed their non-essential exterior bulbs for a few minutes in a tribute to the beloved Hall of Fame coach.

Tarkanian, who led the Runnin’ Rebels to four Final Four appearances and the 1990 national championship, died on Feb. 11 at the age of 84. 

The towel-chomping Tarkanian is the eighth individual in history to receive the tribute.  Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan (2004, most recent) as well as entertainers Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and George Burns are the previous honorees.

The entire Tarkanian clan @MrsT106 @DannyTarkanian waiting for #DimLights4Tark #AlwaysARebel pic.twitter.com/bWLIWP8dFP
— DimTheLights4Tark (@DimLights4Tark) February 19, 2015

Earlier in the evening, at the nearby Thomas & Mack Center, UNLV shed a single spotlight on an empty 1990 Final Four chair and two of Tark the Shark's trademark white towels resting on top.