source: http://www.corbisimages.com/images/U1789450.jpg?size=67&uid=A784571B-4365-4FC5-966F-631CEFC36B49
The second of three fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier took place at Madison Square Garden. For Ali it was a chance at revenge for losing to Frazier nearly 3 years earlier but victory also meant a chance to fight George Foreman who held the heavyweight title at the time. The fight would go 12 rounds with Ali winning by unanimous decision.
source: http://www.bet.com/News/Photos/NewsFlipbookNBAAllStarDunks
One of the many innovations that began in the ABA and continued after the merger with the NBA was the Slam Dunk contest. It was first held at McNichols Arena in Denver during half time of the ABA All-Star game. The contest only lasted one year then was resurrected by the NBA in 1984. The winner of the first Slam Dunk contest was Julius Erving due in part to his dunk leaping from the free throw line which can be seen at the 5:30 mark of the video.
source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/don_banks/01/27/top.five.coaches.part2/index.html
The 1985 Chicago Bears are known as one of the best teams of all time and showed it in the Super Bowl defeating the New England Patriots 46-10. While the Bears defense was stifiling all season long there were many players and personalities that made up this great team. Head Coach Mike Ditka, Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, and a rookie defensive tackle named William “Refrigerator” Perry who on occasion was used as a fullback. With a 37-3 lead in the 3rd quarter and the Bears on the Patriots one yard line Coach Ditka called for the 6′2″ 380 pound Fridge to line up in the backfield and take a handoff from McMahon. Perry broke through the line and scampered in for a touchdown.
Off the field the ‘85 Bears became known for their video recording of the “Super Bowl Shuffle” which actually went as high as #41 on the Billboard charts and received a Grammy nomination for best R&B song by a group.
source: http://123nonstop.com/pictures/Super_Bowl_XXI
At the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA the Denver Broncos lead the New York Giants 10-9 at halftime of Superbowl XXI. But the Giants would turn things around led by game MVP Phil Simms who completed an unbelievable 88% of his passes including 3 touchdowns. The Giants would win the game 39-20.
source: http://cp.olympics.com.au/games/461/Chamonix+1924
Initially it was known as International Winter Sports Week and featured 16 events in 9 different sports with competitors from 16 nations. Based on its success the winter sporting events would be staged every 4 years and become known as the Winter Olympics. The first winter games get underway with the opening ceremonies in Chamonix in the French Alps.
source: http://www.worldathletes.com/sports_biographies/Mike_Bossy.htm
Mike Bossy entered the 50th game of the 1980-81 season against the Quebec Nordiques with 48 goals. He would contribute to the 7-4 Islander victory with two goals in the third period, matching the mark of 50 goals in 50 games first accomplished by Maurice Richard in 1945.
source: http://ingolfwetrust.com/golf-central/CommentView,guid,b711be7d-ce23-4627-b46d-d5eb228a4d7d.aspx
David Duval entered the final round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic at the Palmer Course at PGA West in La Quinta, CA trailing the leader by 7 strokes. He was having the round of his life with 11 birdies and 6 pars through 17. On the final hole, a par 5, Duval reached the green in two and sank his 8 foot eagle putt to win the tournament defeating Steve Pate by one stroke. Duval became just the third golfer to shoot a 59 in PGA tournament play following Al Geiberger in 1977 and Chip Beck in 1991.
source: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/88617359/Bob-Thomas-Sports-Photography
Steffi Graf is the only woman tennis player to accomplish the Golden Slam, which is winning all four grand slam tennis events and the gold medal in the Olympics the same year. Her first victory towards this incredible accomplishment comes at the Australian Open against Chris Evert.
source: http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2007/01/
Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Toronto Raptors 122-104 with Kobe Bryant scoring two thirds of his team’s points. His total of 81 points (55 in the 2nd half) is the second most ever scored in an NBA game next to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points in 1962.
