AMAZING HISTORY OF SPARS AT SPURS

The history of boxing at Tottenham hotspur’s football ground goes back almost a century. here Sportsmail looks at five significant fights at White hart Lane.

JIM SMITH v PAT KING (APRIL 13, 1922)

In the first open-air fight staged in London, 7,000 fans saw Smith beat King for the Dockland Settlements Championship.

FREDDIE MILLS v LEN HARVEY (JUNE 20, 1942)

The event had to finish in daylight to avoid lights in the ground breaching the blackout imposed during the Blitz. Fearless Freddie obliged by knocking out British and Empire light-heavyweight champion Harvey in the second round.

BRUCE WOODCOCK v JACK LONDON (JULY 17, 1945)

In a highly-anticipated Battle of Britain, Woodcock inflicted three knockdowns in the sixth round to relieve Jack London of the British and Empire heavyweight titles.

FRANK BRUNO v JOE BUGNER (OCT 24, 1987)

Forty thousand flocked to the first big fight to be promoted by Barry Hearn. Only family and friends supported Bugner, who had never been forgiven for his points defeat of heavyweight favourite Henry Cooper. Bugner had come out of retirement but made a fight of it until Bruno (left) stopped him in the eighth round.

CHRIS EUBANK v MICHAEL WATSON (SEPT 24, 1991)

This tragic world super-middleweight title battle ended with Watson fighting for his life and then harrowingly disabled. Watson was ahead on all scorecards but was caught by an upper-cut in the 11th round from which he had not recovered when he was sent out for the 12th. The fight was stopped and minutes later he collapsed. With no ambulance present, vital minutes were lost before he received oxygen and was taken to hospital. Watson came out of a coma unable to speak or walk.