Today's sports news: What you need to know

New Zealand's Shane van Gisbergen continues to assert his dominance and extended his overall lead in the Supercars championship.

The defending champ claimed his seventh and eighth wins of the season in Perth over the weekend, claiming the chequered flag in two of the three races held during round four.

Van Gisbergen's win on Sunday denied James Courtney a first win in six years, with the Red Bull driver making a late overtaking move to collect victory.

"I've never done a burnout here before, I hope everyone liked that," van Gisbergen said after he celebrated in style.

"What an awesome weekend, thanks to the team so much, the car's been brilliant.

"That race was pretty funny, I didn't realise James was the leader, I thought it was Will and I. I took off after James, so sorry for stealing that one from him."

The result opened van Gisbergen's championship lead over Anton De Pasquale to 164 points.

Next up on the Supercars calendar is the Winton SuperSprint in northern Victoria on May 21-22.

Kiwis top 6 at latest IndyCar race

New Zealand drivers Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin have both recorded solid finishes in the latest round of the IndyCar Series in the US.

Six-time champion Dixon has crossed the line in fifth, with McLaughlin behind him in sixth at the Grand Prix of Alabama.

It was a jump of eight places for Dixon, who only qualified down in 13th, while his countryman had started from fourth.

Mexican driver Pato O'Ward won the race, ahead of defending champion Alex Palou, of Spain, and Dutchman Rinus Veekay.

Palou holds a narrow championship lead of three points over McLaughlin, with Dixon sixth overall.

The next stop for the series is on May 14-15 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the GMR Grand Prix on the famous circuit's road course.

Warriors sign teenager to three season deal

Sydney Roosters halfback Ronald Volkman has been signed by the Warriors for three seasons from 2023.

The gifted teenager will further bolster their roster which will include the secured experienced Manly Warringah centre Dylan Walker, seasoned Newcastle second rower Mitchell Barnett, Parramatta second rower Marata Niukore and Cronulla Sutherland playmaker Luke Metcalf for 2023 onwards.

"Ronald is an exceptional young talent who will add another dimension to our squad," Warriors general manager football Craig Hodges said.

"When we signed Reece Walsh around this time last year, he hadn't played in the NRL but it was obvious he would very soon and make an immediate impact.

"Ronald is the same. He has wonderful skills and is just waiting for his chance in the NRL."

Also a goal kicker, Volkman has come through the grades playing for the Roosters at under-16, under-18 and under-20 level.

He was also a New South Wales rugby union representative at age grade level.

Gunners regain fourth in EPL

Arsenal regained fourth spot in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory away at West Ham United thanks to a second-half header by Brazilian defender Gabriel at the London Stadium.

The Gunners had been knocked out of the last Champions League qualification spot by north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur earlier on Monday (NZ time) after they beat Leicester City.

Son Heung-min struck twice after Harry Kane had opened the scoring as Spurs bagged a 3-1 at home.

But Arsenal responded to the pressure with a third consecutive victory to give them the edge in what has become a two-horse race for fourth place.

Arsenal have 63 points from 34 games with Tottenham on 61 points, also with four games left to play.

Elsewhere Striker Richarlison profited from a Chelsea error to secure struggling Everton a 1-0 win and what could be a precious three points in their bid to avoid relegation at a rocking Goodison Park.

Chelsea remain third with 66 points from 34 games as they also bid to qualify for the Champions League.

- Reuters

Irish star wins historic women's bout

Katie Taylor has battled her way into Irish sporting immortality, outlasting one of the most powerful fighters in the world's most famous arena in the biggest fight in the history of women's boxing.

There appears to be no hyperbole unworthy of the undefeated, undisputed lightweight world champion, who slugged through 10 rounds against Puerto Rico's Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden, an iconic arena they were the first women to headline.

"Tonight was just fantastic - I had to dig deep in there tonight. I had to produce a career-defining performance," said Taylor (21-0). "We definitely got the best out of each other."

The scene was set as Irish fans in the sellout crowd roared along to an emotional rendition of their national anthem, "The Soldier's Song", before Taylor went into battle.

The 35-year-old, who lobbied for the inclusion of women's boxing in the Olympic programme before winning gold herself in 2012, once again lived up to fans' expectations, swinging wildly in the final rounds to secure the split-decision victory.

"The best night of my career, for sure," she told reporters. "I wasn't sure if anything could reach my Olympic medal moment."

Taylor, who famously dressed as a boy so that she could compete as a child, said she had no intention of slowing down, as she and Serrano ushered in a new era for a sport that once tried to relegate her to the sidelines because of her gender.

"I have no plans of retiring right now," said Taylor. "I love fighting and I just want to keep making history."

- Reuters

Nadal striving for full fitness

Rafa Nadal said his fitness was "far from perfect" as he prepares to return from a debilitating rib injury that has left him racing to get back to peak condition for the French Open.

The 35-year-old, who clinched a men's record 21st Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open earlier this year, suffered a stress fracture in his rib at Indian Wells, where he lost in the final to Taylor Fritz on March 20.

The injury has forced him to miss the claycourt events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

He is now battling to get back to his best before the French Open, where he will bid for a record-extending 14th title.

The Spaniard will make his return at the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid Open on Thursday (NZ time).

"I'm recovered from the injury but tennis and preparation is another story," Nadal said.

"Those who have broken their ribs know how much it limits you and for the first few weeks I had difficulty sleeping because of the pain.

"It is an injury that does not need significant time to heal, but it didn't allow me to do almost anything. It hurt even doing aerobic work."

Nadal believes he will struggle to get back to his best this week, but it will be a step towards hitting peak condition for Roland Garros.

- Reuters

US stars invest in IPL team

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul and NFL duo Larry Fitzgerald and Kelvin Beachum have invested in the Rajasthan Royals, underlining the Indian Premier League's growing global appeal.

The popular Twenty20 league, which counts Bollywood actors and industrialists among franchise owners and attracts the who's who of cricket, has grown into a 10-team affair this season with Gujarat and Ahmedabad paying a combined US$1.7 billion to come on board.

The three Americans will be minority investors in 2008 champions Rajasthan, the franchise said in a statement without sharing details of their investment.

The United States will co-host the 2024 Twenty20 World Cup, although cricket has not become popular there.

"I am excited to have become one of the first US athletes to see the value and scope for growth in the IPL," said NBA star Paul, 36.

"With a variety of components, including stadium experience and fan engagement still left to fulfil their course, I see myself contributing world-class experience through this strategic investment."

The two-time Olympic gold medallist also has a stake in the minor league baseball team Winston-Salem Dash.

- Reuters