This Day in Sports History

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1921: In boxing’s first million dollar gate ($1.7m), world heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey KOs Frenchman Georges Carpentier in round 4 of his 3rd title defence; crowd 91,000 at Boyle’s Thirty Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey.

1951: A memorable day for Worcestershire wicketkeeper Hugo Yarnold in Dundee. He made six stumpings in the second innings against Scotland, a first-class record that still stands.

1966: The beginning of a momentous innings from Basil Butcher. In the third Test against England at Trent Bridge, Butcher came to the crease with West Indies 65 for 2 in their second innings, still 35 behind England. He was still there eight hours later, having made a superb 209 not out. It took West Indies to 483 for 5 declared, and eventually to a 139-run victory.

1966: Wimbledon Women’s Tennis: American Billie Jean King beats Maria Bueno of Brazil 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 for the first of her 12 Grand Slam singles titles.

1969: The day David slew Goliath. West Indies of 1969 weren’t quite the West Indies of 1979, but against Ireland, they would have expected a very easy time. But thanks to the luck of the Irish, or whatever, the crowd at Londonderry witnessed an astonishing day’s play. The match was a one-day, two-innings affair, which in the event of a draw would be won by the team that led on first innings. With five of the players who had just drawn the Lord’s Test, West Indies were demolished for just 25. Ireland’s captain, Dougie Goodwin, took 5 for 6, and Alec O’Riordan 4 for 18. West Indies set out for a jolly thrash, but were soon 12 for 9, before a sterling last-wicket stand of 13. Then, after Ireland made 125 for 8, West Indies slipped to 2 for 2 before salvaging some pride. Goodwin’s match figures were an astonishing 14.5-9-7-7. Thirty-five years later, this time in a 50-over game, came another famous triumph for the underdogs in a match against the same sides, when Ireland romped home by six wickets.

1972: American pole vaulter Bob Seagren breaks world record for the 4th and final time with 5.63m in Eugene, Oregon. 

2006: Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya (152) and Upul Tharanga (109) compile world record cricket ODI opening stand of 286 vs England at Headingley. 

2017: Home town underdog Jeff Horn upsets Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines on points in a highly controversial WBO welterweight title fight in Brisbane, Australia. 
2019: Newly rediscovered Lewis chess piece sells at auction for £735,000 in London.

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