The ABA's San Antonio Spurs defeated the NBA's Atlanta Hawks 109-107 in the first basketball game to be played in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

The Thrilla in Manila the third and final boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier took place in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.

During the US Open in Flushing New York, Czech tennis star Martina Navratilova asks for US political asylum.

After 12 seasons in the Bay Area, Nate Thurmond joined the Chicago Bull where he recorded the first quadruple-double in NBA history with 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocks.

Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers, also known as "Mr. Clutch" retired after 14 dominating seasons in the NBA.

The 7-foot Elmore Smith battered away 17 shots against the Portland Trail Blazers, setting a single-game NBA record.

San Diego quarterback Johnny Unitas became the first NFL player to top 40,000 yards passing when he hit Mike Garrett on a 30-yard pass against Cincinnati.

Billie Jean King won a much hyped nationally televised match held at the Houston Astrodome, between 55-year-old Bobby Riggs and 29-year-old Billie Jean King.

Ali and Norton met at the Forum, Inglewood, California in a rematch, the match was close but Ali ended up winning the split with 2 votes to 1.

Jet quarterback Joe Namath throws for 496 yards and six touchdowns as the New York Jets defeated Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts 44-34.