ON THIS DAY
1897:
Cornishman Bob Fitzsimmons beat ‘Gentleman’ Jim Corbett to win the world heavyweight title at Carson City, Nevada, six years after lifting the world middleweight crown.
1902:
Bobby Jones, arguably the finest amateur golfer of all time, was born. Jones won the Open three times and the US Open four times. In 1930 he achieved the grand slam of major tournaments. He died on December 18, 1971.
1947:
World heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano won the first of his 49 professional fights when he beat Lee Epperson.
1983:
Trainer Michael Dickinson saddled the first five past the finishing post in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
2006:
War Of Attrition, trained by Mouse Morris and ridden by Conor O’dwyer, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the feature race on the final day of the 2006 festival.
2009:
Olympic bronze medallist Jo Jackson set a new world record in the 400 metres freestyle at the British Swimming Championships in Sheffield.
2010:
Portsmouth were hit with a ninepoint deduction for entering administration, all but sealing their relegation from the Premier League.
2012:
Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during the first half of the FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. He remained in hospital until April 16 and retired from professional football in August.
2014:
The Football Association’s membership committee made a “unanimous recommendation” to its council to reject Hull City’s request to change their playing name to Hull Tigers.