BOXING fans slammed the awful atmosphere for Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
There were plenty of fights on the undercard to whip up some excitement among the spectators but there was a flat atmosphere inside the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Kevin Lerena vs Justis Huni went the distance and almost had a final round knock-out, while Gavin Gwynne was stopped because of a nasty-looking eye injury in an all-British clash with Mark Chamberlain.
Even the even the fiery world title fight encounter between Brit Nick Ball and Rey Vargas was met with little reaction, despite several knockdowns and Ball controversially being denied a win.
But the fights failed to inspire the crowd and it was in fact Jose Mourinho who got the biggest cheer of the night before the main event.
Mourinho, who was sacked by Roma in January, had a front row seat for the night’s action.
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And when cameras panned to the Special One his appearance was met with a huge applause by other fans in attendance.
Viewers watching on from home slammed how quiet the event was, with some claiming it seemed “fake”.
One reacted saying: “HAHAHAHAHAHA only cheer of the night so far for Jose Mourinho.
“The whole thing is so fake.”
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Another added: “It’s tragic.”
A third wrote: “Atmosphere at the boxing is shocking. I’ve heard more noise in a Wetherspoons on a Monday morning.”
Pundit Simon Jordan said of the event: “#JoshuaNgannou… rocking atmosphere in Saudi ..🤥
“Despicable decision on the Nick Ball fight.”
And another commented: “This boxing undercard and atmosphere is awful, putting Gogglebox on instead 🤣”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
