Ring is stolen from historic gym. Boxers who frequent the Glass City Boxing gym in Toledo, Ohio, may find an important piece of equipment missing: the ring. Police are investigating how the fighting platform was removed from the historic facility, along with its possible whereabouts. The ring reportedly has been used since the 1970s by fighters, including Devin Vargas, who made the 2004 Olympic team. Trainer Tom Urbina fears that he may have to cancel scheduled bouts at Glass City, if the equipment isn’t returned. It’s believed that the theft took place as long ago as Sunday.

NBA franchise gives away free tickets. Unemployed New Jersey Nets fans can receive up to four free game tickets to see their team play. By submitting resumes to the Nets Job Bank, anyone out of work can share in part of 300 tickets to one of five Nets home competitions, plus a job fair next week. Nets President Bret Yormark says the team’s hope is that fans will turn out to see free games and then continue to fill stadium seats, once their finances improve. The Nets view the gesture as an investment in their supporters until the economy turns around, Yormark adds.

Cleveland’s Crennel rallies team after loss. Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel is disputing statements from within his squad about the team’s collective will. Following the Browns’ loss when the Broncos scored 21 fourth-quarter points last week, running back Jamal Lewis accused some of his teammates of quitting. He declined to say names, but his sentiments were echoed this week by special teams member Joshua Cribbs. Crennel says there’s no quit in his coaching curriculum and that any perception of it in players reflects poorly on him. Crennel is encouraging his players to focus on beating Buffalo next week. The Browns have won just three games with six losses, after 10 victories last season.