Today in sports history: May 24 - Phil 'The Power' Taylor makes history with two nine-dart finishes

Phil 'The Power' Taylor.
Phil 'The Power' Taylor. Photo credit: Getty

Some of the stories of the past that led sporting headlines around the world on May 24.

1976

Boxer Muhammad Ali beats Richard Dunn with a fifth-round TKO to retain the WBA, WBC, The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles.

The fight, which took place at Olympiahalle in Munich, is remembered for being the very last time Ali would knock down any opponent in the ring in his boxing career.

Ali would fight eight more times in his career, ending with a 56-5 record. 

2003

The Blues win their third Super Rugby title, beating the defending champion Crusaders 21-17 in the decider. 

Trailing 10-6 at the break, the Blues fought back with tries from wing Doug Howlett and flanker Daniel Braid. Carlos Spencer kicked 11 points from the boot. 

The Blues celebrate winning the 2003 Super 12 title.
The Blues celebrate winning the 2003 Super 12 title. Photo credit: Photosport

The Auckland-based side haven't won the title since. 

2006

New South Wales five-eighth Brett Finch kicks the match-winning field goal in the series opener against Queensland. 

With 90 seconds remaining, Finch slotted the goals to hand his state a 17-16 win after the Maroons had fought back from a 14-0 deficit.     

Brett Finch kicks the game-winning field goal against Queensland.
Brett Finch kicks the game-winning field goal against Queensland. Photo credit: Getty

Queensland would go on to win the series 2-1, the first of nine consecutive titles.

2010

Phil 'The Power' Taylor becomes the first darts player to throw two perfect nine dart legs during the Premier League final against James Wade.

A nine-darter occurs when you throw nine perfect darts in the requisite trebles and double to check out from 501. It is considered to be the most significant achievement in the sport, similar to a maximum 147 break in snooker or a 300-point game in bowling.

Taylor went on to win the match 10-7 and is regarded as the greatest player of all time, winning 16 world titles during his career. 

Michael van Gerwen is the only other known professional to throw two nine-darters in a match, although his wasn't televised like Taylor's.

2017

Manchester United dedicate their Europa League title win to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombings, which killed 22 people.

Goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw United claim a 2-0 win over Dutch club Ajax, with the match taking place two days after the bombings, which went off following a Ariana Grande concert. 

Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United celebrates after winning the Europa League title.
Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United celebrates after winning the Europa League title. Photo credit: Getty

The club paid tribute to the victims and posted a photo on Twitter of the players holding a banner that read: "Manchester - A City United #prayformanchester". 

It was United's first European trophy since winning the 2008 Champions League. 

Birthdays 

1966 - Former Manchester United great Eric Cantona 

1979 - Former NBA all-star Tracy McGrady

1980 - Former Sydney Roosters fullback Anthont Minichello

1997 - Kiwi Olympic cyclist Liv Podmore 

Newshub 12 months ago… 

Super Rugby 2019 live: Chiefs v Reds in Hamilton

The Chiefs have welcomed back Sam Cane to the starting 15 with a 19-13 win over the Reds in Hamilton.

In his first start in seven months after recovering from a broken neck, Cane had a standout night - hitting as hard as ever and winning turnovers for his side in a strong 50 minutes for the hosts.