The sport I have covered around the world for over half a century has changed dramatically.

The atmosphere now is more show business, than blow business.

Boxing is immensely popular at the moment and the marquee fights attract enormous crowds. 

But they are not the crowds of old, genuine fans who knew the game and came to watch and simply appreciate gladiatorial combat.

Today the new, younger wave of so-called supporters who fill the arenas aren’t really there to watch a fight.

They go to enjoy an event.  

It doesn’t matter if they can’t tell a left hook from a meat hook, it is all a bit of a beano.

Take last weekend. 

Saturday Night at the O2 where former world and Olympic champion Anthony Joshua made his his much-hyped return to the ring was more like Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

The new generation of fans cheered and applauded Joshua's victory as if he had regained his world status rather than getting a pedestrian points win over an American journeyman, Jermaine Franklin, a smaller lighter opponent he should have blown away in five or six rounds.

They dance in the aisles, while quaffing litres of lager and bellowing out boxing's adopted anthem, Sweet Caroline.

I may sound like a rheumy-eyed old codger but back in the day we went to enjoy the fights, not the fuss.

We applauded what was going on in the ring rather than joined in a boozy knees up.

As for Joshua, while he is by no means a busted flush I can't seen him as a major player.

Player in the game of ring-a-roses that is now the world heavyweight championship. 

Gee wonder who will be the first to fall down.

Will it be Joshua? 

He is is no longer gung ho, but he looks rather gun shy after his defeat at the cultured hands of Oleksandr Usyk who relieved him of his title belts.

The heavyweight division has not been so enriched with quality since the days when Ali, Foreman, Frazier and co. trod the boards.

And most of it has been made in Britain where ringmeister Frank Warren is now pulling the financial strings.

Not only is he Tyson Fury’s British promoter, but his Queen Berry regiment also includes Joe Joyce, most improved heavyweight, in the world and young Daniel Dubois, the big hitter who astonishingly is next in line to meet Usyk since Fury opted out.

There is an opinion in some elements of boxing that Fury does not really fancy facing the similarly unbeaten Ukrainian, who some believe is the one man who might beat him. 

It is a view I endorse.

Fury is certain in his own mind that he would splosh Josh and let's fight he really wants. 

Such on the machinations of boxing that it could happen later this year. 

We shall see I think there might be more millions in an all British showdown than the Gypsy giant meeting Usyk.

For those, who like me prefer their boxing without the razzmatazz, there is a fascinating fight at London's Copper Box where the atmosphere will be much like the old days. 

Warren has always believed in staging shows that have the traditional authenticity, with the accent of the fights and not the fanfares.

In fact it will all be rather Olympian. 

The arena itself is situated in London's Olympic Park and the two heavyweights who headline the bill are both Olympic medallists.

Joe Joyce, a.k.a. The Juggernaut, won silver in Rio - it should’ve been gold because he seemed to have beaten the Frenchman Tony Yoka, who like Joyce went pro but his career is so far undistinguished.

Whereas the seemingly indestructible Joyce remains unbeaten as a professional and is in tremendous form.

He meets Zhili Zhang, the first Chinese professional fighter in Britain. 

I saw him win the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics and he is a tough nut who can bang.

He has been beaten only once – and that verdict was controversial – so he and Joyce are a pair well matched.

The bout is being screened by BT and I think we can look forward to a good old fashioned punch-up.   

Just like the good old days.