SUPERSTAR
Anthony Joshua may have lost to Oleksandr Usyk – but crackling energy at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium proves he remains Britain’s biggest and best draw
Never have I felt more privileged to work in the sports industry than on Saturday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After 18 arduous months locked down amidst a battle against an invisible enemy which wreaked havoc in this country, the feeling of gratitude and relief was palpable inside the 62,850-seater stadium.
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Sport continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in this country, yet it was constrained by measures designed to ensure social distancing and minimal contact.
Yet it is for that very reason why this country needed Anthony Joshua’s blockbuster bout with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night – to remind us of just how much sport can unite.
From the very second I entered N17 on Saturday, there was a current of electricity which crackled amongst the enthusiastic punters on Tottenham High Road who had arrived.
It may well have been 4pm, but the nerves and anticipation for the world heavyweight fight were already beginning to bubble up into what would quickly become a crescendo by fight time.
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Joshua had not fought in front of a capacity crowd in London since September 2018 when he comprehensively dissected Alexander Povetkin at Wembley, the same venue for his epic tussle with Wladimir Klitschko the year before.
The Brit has continued to break and set records ever since his professional debut in 2013 and, despite brief segues to Saudi Arabia and New York in 2019, belongs in front of capacity crowds in his home country.
No fighter captures the imagination, nor is able to transcend the sport of boxing in quite the same way as the 2012 Olympic gold medallist – a trinket he collected in the capital as a fresh-faced youngster.
The sleek, glistening stadium he temporarily called home on Saturday night rapidly swelled in anticipation of his glorious homecoming.
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The official attendance for the fight was 66,267, an astonishing figure alone, yet it is the consistency at which Joshua does it.
It was the largest crowd for a British fight since the return of spectators, but also since Joshua’s victory over Povetkin three years ago which drew 70,000.
To put that into context, Tyson Fury's victory against Klitschko in 2015 drew 55,000 and the 'Rumble in The Jungle' between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali garnered 60,000 sets of eyes in Zaire.
Even in Cardiff for the unified title fight against Joseph Parker, Joshua was able to bring 78,000 fans in 2018.
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Soon, it became difficult to even hear yourself think inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, let alone spectators alongside you.
For all the teasing Eddie Hearn takes from the British public, his ability to create spectacles is truly unrivalled in the game. As he explained in his aptly titled book ‘Relentless’, Matchroom Boxing are dedicated to engineering nights filled with wonder and spectacle.
Naturally, this was aided by the celebrity clientele at ringside as Idris Elba, Declan Rice and Mo Farah took to their seats and the PA system soon began to work overtime as a mixture of club classics and fan favourite tunes flooded the senses of every fan in attendance.
Routine victories for Lawrence Okolie and Callum Smith drew predictable cheers and praise from the crowd and the main course of the evening was soon upon us.
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It was at this moment when it happened, chills ran through my spine and hairs stood to attention as the entirety of the baying crowd belted out Neil Diamond’s cult classic, ‘Sweet Caroline’.
The moment will stay with me, as it made me realise just how desperately boxing has craved spectators during these dark and disturbing times.
The cacophony of noise created by the spectators gripped by the action would take some serious stopping, but boxing has a habit of straying from the script like that.
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Fireworks ascended from the night sky with their synonymous whistle and crash as Joshua, decked in a white robe, descended from his raised podium to the covered ring.
For fans of the Rocky series, his choice of song was apt. Inspired by the fourth instalment of the iconic series, Joshua opted for ‘There’s No Easy Way Out’ by Robert Tepper.
Fans hoped that would be the case for the lithe and lean Usyk, a former cruiserweight champion hoping to make his mark in the land of the giants, yet it was not forthcoming.
The Ukrainian executed the role of matador perfectly as his fleet-footed approach seemed to ensnare his far larger opponent and he peppered Joshua’s face with shots which came from all angles.
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The crackling atmosphere quickly dissipated and the energy was sapped by the challenger in a manner not too dissimilar to the way he was performing in the ring.
Every crisp body shot or hook to the head that landed seemed to make the dulcet tones of Diamond and Co. slip further from the mind of the watching crowd as they quickly quietened.
Despite the lopsided defeat, boxing needed this and Joshua reminded us all that we need him.
Few stars in sport can command almost 70,000 people to an arena in the way can.
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With a rematch clause already invoked for 2022 and Kiev dismissed by promoter Hearn, Joshua will need another special London night and his army of fans to reclaim his world titles.
I just hope I can be there again to witness it. When Joshua's in town, it's a special night.
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