SPORT ANNIVERSARIES

Today: World heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis made the first of his 25 successful title defences, defeating Tommy Farr in 15 rounds, in 1937. In 1991, Bob Beamon's 22-year-old world long jump record was finally broken at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where fellow American Mike Powell leaped 8.95 metres to take the record and the world title.

Tomorrow: Gary Sobers made cricketing history in 1968, becoming the first batsmen to hit six sixes in one over in first-class cricket. The Nottinghamshire and West Indies allrounder, later knighted for his services to cricket, scored 36 runs off Glamorgan's Malcolm Nash in a single over in a match at Swansea.

Wednesday: In 1972 Bobby Fischer defeated Boris Spassky to win the world chess championship.

Thursday: In 1973 future England all-rounder Ian Botham made his county debut, appearing for Somerset against Sussex in a Sunday League game at Hove. In 1980, John Arlott delivered his final Test Match commentary, as England met Australia in the Centenary Test at Lord's.

Friday: Northern Ireland's magnificent Mary Peters took the heptathlon gold medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics. In 1950 the inaugural Formula One drivers' championship was won by Guiseppe Farina driving an Alfa Romeo.

Saturday: In 1990 Manchester United's Steve Bruce became the first player in the First Division, to be sent off for a "professional foul".

Sunday: Aston Villa became the first winners of the Football League Cup in 1961, beating Rotherham United 3-0 in the second leg of the final, to claim the trophy 3-2 on aggregate.