Blast from the past: Taylor climbs from the canvas to win world title

Today in SA sports history: November 3

1973 — In what many observers described as the greatest boxing contest on SA soil, Arnold Taylor rose from four knock-downs and knocked out Mexican Romeo Anaya in the 14th round at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg to lift the WBA bantamweight crown. There were a total of six knock-downs in the bout, but in the eighth it looked as if Taylor was about to lose as he went down three times. Somehow he got up each time and fought his way back to victory, though he was assisted by a long count after Anaya didn’t retreat to a neutral properly. In 1996 The Ring magazine rated this contest the 15th greatest world title bout of all time.  

1997 — Skipper Hansie Cronje hits 94 runs from 95 balls to guide the Proteas to a five-wicket victory over West Indies in a four-nations tournament day-night match in Lahore. The West Indies had scored 297/5 after Carl Hooper made 105, the only century of the match. Cronje, opener Gary Kirsten (64) and Jonty Rhodes (53 not out) ensured SA got home with 11 balls remaining.

2018 — The Springboks go down 11-12 to England in a controversial match at Twickenham. Right-wing Sbu Nkosi scored the only try of the match, but SA were denied the chance of victory after referee Angus Gardner refused to penalise England captain Owen Farrell for an armless charge on André Esterhuizen in a kickable position in the dying moments of the game.

2019 — Brad Binder wins his second consecutive Moto2 race, taking the chequered flag in the Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang.