• On this day in sport: Tyson floors Biggs as Lakers retire Abdul-Jabbar jersey

    Mike Tyson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and a famous Grand National winner all feature as we look back at this date in sporting history.
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    As the coronavirus pandemic continues, chances are you need to look back over the archives if you want to get your daily sporting fix.

    Well, we’ve got you covered for Friday.

    March 20 boasts a few notable events throughout sporting history, including a number of Grand Nationals, a heavyweight title fight and the retiring of one of basketball’s most famous jerseys.

    Here are five of the biggest things to happen in sport on this day…

     

    1948 – 50/1 shot mare wins Grand National to end 

    The 102nd edition of one of the world’s most famous horse races saw Sheila’s Cottage, ridden by Arthur Thompson, defy odds of 50/1 to win. She was also the first mare to triumph at Aintree in 46 years and only the 12th in the long and storied history of the steeplechase. Thompson and trainer Neville Trump would record a second win together four years later.

    1988 – Mike Tyson knocks out Tyrell Biggs

    In Atlantic City, Tyson took on 1984 Olympic gold medallist Tyrell Biggs, who was 15-0 since turning professional and was literally head and shoulders above his opponent, standing at 6 foot 5 compared to Tyson at 5 foot 10.

    Still, he was no match for the defending WBA, WBC and IBF champion, who left Biggs bloodied and bruised before sending him crashing to the canvas in round seven. The fight continued but Biggs was knocked down again, leading the referee to halt proceedings and ensure Tyson stretched his record to 32 wins from 32.

    1990 – Lakers retire Abdul-Jabbar’s jersey

    Thirty years ago, the LA Lakers retired the number 33 jersey of Karim Abdul-Jabbar, the man still considered by some to be basketball’s greatest.

    A six-time NBA champion with the Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks, a winner of six MVP and two Finals MVP awards and 19 times on the All-Star roster, nobody has worn his number 33 for the Lakers since 1990.

    2010 – France clinch grand slam

    France won their 17th Five/Six Nations title and completed a ninth grand slam after battling to victory over England in Paris.

    Les Bleus had powered through the earlier rounds but were made to work hard by England, who dominated the second half after ending the first 12-7 down but could only earn three more points via the boot of Jonny Wilkinson.

    They have not won the championship since.

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