September 15

At the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on September 15, 1978, Muhammad Ali faced Leon Spinks in a historic rematch. Spinks had stunned the world months earlier by defeating Ali for the heavyweight title. In a tactical display of speed and skill, Ali outpointed his younger opponent over 15 rounds. The unanimous decision made Ali the first boxer in history to win the world heavyweight crown three times. This landmark victory cemented Ali's legacy as one of the greatest athletes in boxing history.

On this day in 2001, former Formula One driver Alex Zanardi was involved in a horrific accident during a CART race at the Lausitzring in Germany. His car collided with another competitor's wheel, sending him airborne and causing catastrophic injuries that led to the amputation of both legs. The incident shocked the motorsport world, highlighting the dangers drivers face even with advanced safety measures. Zanardi's remarkable resilience and determination saw him return to competitive racing years later using specially designed prosthetics. His story remains an inspiration, demonstrating the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

On September 15, 2004, the National Hockey League officially locked out its players, marking the beginning of a work stoppage that would ultimately lead to the cancellation of the entire 2004-05 season. Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the lockout after negotiations with the players' union broke down over salary caps and revenue sharing. The dispute underscored the financial challenges facing professional sports leagues and highlighted the high stakes of labour negotiations. Fans, teams, and local economies were left in limbo as the league grappled with its first full-season cancellation due to a labour dispute. The lockout deeply affected the sport's reputation and set the stage for significant changes in the NHL's economic structure.