BOXING returns to Tottenham for the first time in 30 years tomorrow with Anthony Joshua’s clash against Oleksandr Usyk.
But the area is no stranger to hosting a dust-up in the ring having staged London’s first open-air boxing match 99 years ago.
SunSport’s CHISANGA MALATA looks back on previous big-fight nights in N17:
JACK BLOOMFIELD v ALBERT LLOYD (July 31, 1922)
White Hart Lane’s first boxing event was headlined by this heavyweight bout.
Bloomfield blew away the Aussie in six rounds in front of a 7,000-strong crowd.
The show featured several slapstick comedy fights between the professional bouts to keep the paying punters entertained.
FREDDIE MILLS v LEN HARVEY (June 20, 1942)
The British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles were up for grabs when these two fought in front of 30,000 people.
“Fearless” Mills claimed the belts with a devastating second-round KO of the Cornwall clubber and would go on to have back-to-back wars with Al Robinson.
JACK LONDON v BRUCE WOODCOCK (July 17, 1945)
London and Woodcock went toe-to-toe with the British and Commonwealth heavyweight belts on the line at the Lane.
The undefeated Woodcock dethroned defending champion London with a stunning sixth-round stoppage.
He knocked down the Hartlepool hitter three times in the round.
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FRANK BRUNO v JOE BUGNER (October 24, 1987)
Heavyweight contender Bruno’s showdown with Joe Bugner marked the beginning of a British boxing dynasty.
The loveable giant’s clash with the Australian was the first major event staged by then Matchroom Boxing chief Barry Hearn — the dad of AJ’s promoter Eddie.
Bruno rose to the occasion, earning his second crack at a world title with an eighth-round TKO victory.
More than 40,000 fans packed the stadium to see Bruno tee up a showdown with Mike Tyson.
CHRIS EUBANK v MICHAEL WATSON II (September 21, 1991)
The fateful rematch between WBO middleweight champion Eubank and Watson was the last fight to take place at the old White Hart Lane.
Eubank was heading for a unanimous points defeat after 11 gruelling rounds only to claim a sensational stoppage in the 12th.
But Watson collapsed and did not receive medical treatment for 28 minutes.
He spent 40 days in a coma, needed six brain operations and was left partially disabled.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
