THIS WEEK

BOXING April 25, 2009   In an event billed as “Campeon versus Campeon”, Juan Manuel Lopez defeats Gerry Penalosa to retain his WBO junior featherweight title. In a barrage of punches and counterpunches, Lopez averaged 50 hits per round. In the 8th round, he managed 87 punches landed, the 6th highest on record for all weight classes.

SOCCER April 28, 1999   Alf Ramsey, manager of England’s 1966 World Cup winning team, dies at the age of 79. Ramsey spent his playing career with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur before becoming a team manager. He represented the national squad from 1963-74 and was knighted for his World Cup achievement, England’s only Cup victory to date.

BASEBALL April 21, 1989   George W. Bush, the future 43rd President of the United States, leads a group of investors to purchase a controlling interest in the Texas Rangers baseball franchise. He becomes the managing general partner for the next five years. Bush sold his stake in 1998 for a reported $15 million from his initial $800,000 investment in the club.

RUNNING April 16, 1979   Bill Rodgers wins his 3rd Boston Marathon, clearing the finish line in 2:09:27. On the women’s side, it was Joan Benoit of Maine who placed first in a time of 2:35:15. The running was the 83rd edition of the famed long-distance race, the oldest of its kind to be held annually. Rodgers would claim his 4th victory the following year.