Ring of shame

Boxing has a long history of cashing in, but Joshua v Paul marks a new low

- Sean Ingle

Precisely 85 years ago, today, one of the most fearsome heavyweight boxers in history stunk out the joint. Joe Louis was in the midst of his “Bum of the Month club”: a staggering run of 13 world title defences in 29 months against an assortment of stiffs, wild men and colourful characters. And when he arrived in Boston on 16 December 1940, most believed that Al McCoy would rapidly become his next victim. Only it didn’t quite turn out that way.

“McCoy was expected to crumple under the first punch Louis tossed in his direction,” the New York Times’ correspondent wrote. “Instead, the wily New England veteran made Louis appear ludicrous at times. Adopting a crouching, bobbing, weaving style, McCoy was an elusive target for the paralysing fists of the titleholder.” After the messy contest was stopped at the end of the fifth, a storm of jeers rang out. Louis had won, but only his bank balance had been enhanced.

Which brings us to the freak show taking place further along the eastern seaboard this Friday, when the former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua faces the influencer turned boxer Jake Paul in Miami. Let us be blunt: this fight makes Louis v McCoy look like the Rumble in the Jungle. Whatever happens, it will degrade Joshua’s reputation - and damage that of his sport.