ON THIS DAY
1944:
Former world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, best remembered for fighting Muhammad Ali in 1971’s “Fight of the Century” and 1975’s “Thrilla in Manila”, was born.
1959:
Heavyweight boxer Henry Cooper won his first British title, beating Brian London over 15 rounds.
1996:
Cricket umpire Harold “Dickie” Bird announced he would retire after England’s second Test against India at Lord’s in June.
2006:
Luton Town manager Mike Newell claimed that offers of illegal payments were still rife in football. Newell was interviewed by the Football Association and his claims in part led to the Lord Stevens inquiry into transfer payments.
2009:
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo won FIFA’s World Player of the Year award.
2012:
Former Essex player Mervyn Westfield appeared at the Old Bailey to admit a corruption charge linked to a NatWest Pro40 match against Durham. Westfield was sentenced to four months in prison the following month after pleading guilty to one count of accepting or obtaining a corrupt payment to bowl in a way that would allow the scoring of runs.
2012:
The International Rugby Board ruled that Steven Shingler, the subject of an eligibility wrangle between the Welsh and Scottish unions, was “tied to Wales and ineligible to play for any other union”.
2014:
Stephen Bunting won the men’s BDO World Darts Championship with a 7-4 victory over Alan Norris in the final.
2019:
Leeds United apologised to Derby County for spying on their training and said they would remind head coach Marcelo Bielsa of his responsibilities.