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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.
Anthony Joshua will defend his heavyweight titles against Oleksandr Usyk[/caption]
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is being transformed into a boxing arena for the bout[/caption]
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)
Bruce Woodcock and Jack London go toe to toe in front of a packed White Hart Lane[/caption]
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)
Chris Eubank celebrates his victory minute before Michael Watson collapses[/caption]
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.
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