Las Vegas

Leverage is everything, and for Ravens safety Tommy Zbikowski, that means boxing for a living should the NFL season not happen. The 25-year-old former Notre Dame star is preparing to earn $10,000 for no more than 12 minutes of work Saturday night. With a restricted free-agent tender deal from the Ravens on his table, the three-year NFL player will return to the pro boxing ring at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday against 35-year-old Richard Bryant in a four-round heavyweight fight.

Laurel Park Red-hot Red's Round Table wins Wide Country Stakes Arnold Heft 's Red's Round Table won her fourth straight stakes race Saturday afternoon, the $75,000 Wide Country Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Laurel Park. Although runner-up Sweet Susan made a bold run at the winner late in the contest after chasing her from the start, the race was never in doubt as jockey Sheldon Russell helped the daughter of Cuvee to a 3/4-length victory in 1 minute, 25.99 seconds for the seven-furlong distance.

Cal Ripken Jr. likes to joke than he and Andre Agassi have a lot more in common than the fact that they're both bald, retired athletes. They're both passionate about raising money and creating opportunities to help kids reach their potential. In fact, Agassi is someone who has inspired Ripken in many ways during his retirement. Friday at the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation's 7th Annual Aspire Gala, the Orioles Hall of Famer sought to honor the tennis legend for his work in education, and at the same time raise money for his own charitable foundation.

After being struck in the face and head by shrapnel while on patrol in Iraq in 2005, Aaron Joshua Lawless performed first aid on a fellow soldier and returned enemy fire with a damaged gun, before being struck by an explosive device — an ordeal that earned him a Purple Heart and Silver Star. At least, that's how Lawless recounted his time in Iraq to his employer, a Maryland gun store, and the Glock gun-manufacturing company, which decided to honor Lawless as its 2008 "Glock Hero.

Except for the most practiced and fortified Scrooge-y types, anyone with an ounce of delight in the Christmas season and its music will find the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's sixth annual Holiday Spectacular well worth a visit. Quibble, if you like, over the designation "spectacular," but when it comes to spirit and entertainment, the show still delivers. Question, if you like, some of the elements packed into the nearly two-hour production, but somehow, as in past years, it all holds together surprisingly well.

"Since I was a kid, I've lived for holiday songs, secular and nonsecular," Maureen McGovern said this week. "I'm what my mother called a sentimental slob. " The singer will get to slobber, so to speak, as much as she likes during the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's 2010 Holiday Spectacular, which will pack in a lot of secular and nonsecular seasonal favorites. McGovern, best known for the 1973 hit "The Morning After" from "The Poseidon Adventure," will serve as the production's host and vocal soloist.

Coverage is unfair Shannon Owens Orlando Sentinel ESPN was right to pull the LeBron James story detailing a wild night of partying in Las Vegas off its Web site Wednesday. But not because the story had no value. People have a strong interest in reading or watching stories about the personal lives of professional athletes. ESPN was right to pull the story because it would have created yet another double standard of coverage for James. Why should he be singled out for routine behavior and choices in the fast-paced social lives of athletes?

John Wall ended his first competitive week as a member of the Washington Wizards in street clothes, standing and cheering from the bench as his summer-league teammates attempted to finish an undefeated session in Las Vegas. The John Wall Show, though, rolled on. Before the Wizards fell to the New York Knicks in overtime Saturday, 109-107, Wall — wearing warm-up pants and a T-shirt — flipped an underhanded three-pointer at the rim from the sideline, drawing shouts when it dropped through the net. Midway through the second quarter, the PA announcer told fans that Wall would sign autographs at halftime; dozens immediately abandoned the gym to line up in the lobby, and staffers had to cut off the line within five minutes.

The new-look Washington Wizards have slowly been taking shape over the past two days at Verizon Center. No. 1 overall pick John Wall, fellow rookies Trevor Booker and Hamady N'Diaye, third-year center JaVale McGee and other players hoping to find an NBA home are preparing for the NBA summer league in Las Vegas, with the first game on Sunday. Fourth-year veteran carryovers Nick Young and Al Thornton worked on developing some chemistry with their new teammates, while leaving open the possibility of a cameo appearance in summer league.

The dog days of summer are usually a hoot for the Ravens. For about four weeks, the players have carte blanche to enjoy what little respite they have before the start of training camp, which rolls into the regular season and -- they hope -- the playoffs. Defensive tackle Cory Redding has a good reason for staying home this summer. He and his wife welcomed their third child, a boy, in May. "So we're staying home," Redding said. "We're not going anywhere. I'm staying here and hanging out with the kids for the most part."