On this day 17 March 2012(Exactly 8 years ago today) Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed during the first half of an FA Cup quarter-final match between Bolton and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
After receiving lengthy attention on the pitch from medical personnel – including a consultant cardiologist who was at the game as a fan – Muamba was taken to the specialist coronary care unit at the London Chest Hospital.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle and club captain Kevin Davies accompanied Muamba in the ambulance.The match was abandoned by referee Howard Webb, and Bolton’s next game, against Aston Villa, due to be played three days later, was postponed at the club’s request.
Aston Villa raised no objection.
Bolton’s club doctor later confirmed that Muamba had received numerous defibrillator shocks both on the pitch and in the ambulance, but his heart had stopped for 78 minutes
On this day 17 March 1908(Exactly 112 years ago today) Tommy Burns knocked out Jem Roche, defending his heavyweight title in one of the quickest fights in boxing history (88 seconds) at the Theatre Royal, Dublin.
Burns used a short hook to the jaw. So quickly did the end come that the great crowd which filled the theatre in expectation of seeing the Irishman put up a good fight for the title hardly realized what had happened.
When the men entered the ring it was evident that the sluggish Roche was no match for the more experienced Burns.
They sparred for less than a minute, Roche acting altogether on the defense and Burns endeavoring to find an opening. Then Burn feinted and quickly put a short, sharp right to the jaw and Roche went down. He was badly dazed and although he struggled to regain his feet he was unable to do so before the fatal 10 was counted.
Immediately after the count, Roche got to his feet, but staggered about the stage.
When he had recovered himself he went over smilingly to congratulate the winner.
The fight was for a purse of $7,500, which was put up by syndicate of which Richard Croker, the former Tammany leader, was a member, and a side bet of $2,500.
Burns bet $7,000 on himself at odds of 3 to 1. The ring side betting was 7 to 2 for on Burns.
BY: George ‘Alan Green’ Mahamah
