As Anthony Joshua basked in the spotlight of his win over Francis Ngannou, he did his best to get the Saudi Arabian crowd going.
He first called on Cameroonian fans to cheer. A few did.
Joshua then called for people from Watford to speak up. Once again, a few did.
Sensing he wasn't quite getting the raucous reception he wanted, however, AJ then changed tact. In a desperate last throw of the dice he embraced the Saudi crowd. What he got back was louder than before but still subdued, a far cry from the wild crowds of London or Las Vegas in previous years.
Anthony Joshua beat Francis Ngannou on Friday night
GETTY
The atmosphere during the whole night in Riyadh was flat. Some in attendance preferred to be on their phones. Others were seen yawning as night started to turn to day.
And it spoke volumes about the whole affair. Saudi Arabia has cash to burn as they look to take over several sports, with golf, football and F1 all in their clutches.
But they lack passion. It is artificial, just like the World Cup in Qatar in the winter of 2022. All the money in the world can't buy passion, something real sport fans know.
Take nothing away from Joshua. Many dismissed the 34-year-old as a faded force when he gave that infamous interview after his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2022.
His comments about being 'heavy' became memes instantly. He was, for a while at least, seen as a laughing stock.
Ngannou was meant to pose a threat, especially given how he impressed on his boxing debut against Tyson Fury back in October.
After less than six minutes, however, the predator had turned to prey.
Joshua knocked Ngannou down twice before delivering the decisive blow, channelling all his power to send his opponent crashing to the canvas.
Only a fool would have expected a different outcome, however.
Yes, Ngannou stalled Fury when they fought last year. Fury was, however, far too big and far too complacent to realise that he actually needed to train, and put in the hard work, to reign supreme.
Joshua made no such mistake. He admitted he had roughly 10 days off after his last fight against Otto Wallin before returning to the gym and putting in the graft.
His professionalism, and his power, paid off in Riyadh.
But boxing is in the mire. This was a mismatch, everybody knew that.
Joshua may have suffered some defeats in the past but a boxer was always going to beat a UFC fighter masquerading as one, especially with such a strict fitness regime in place.
Some fans didn't seven watch the fight. This journalist knows several boxing fanatics who seldom miss a showdown.
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Anthony Joshua's fight with Francis Ngannou was a mismatch from start to finish
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This was a different case, however. There was no enthusiasm, no desire to witness the spectacle. No text messages about watching the action unfold together, with early nights preferred.
Fans in Britain had to wait until roughly 1am to see Joshua deliver his latest speech. How ridiculous is that?
The state of the sport isn't going to get any better, either.
Earlier this week it was announced that Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will be locking horns in Texas, despite an age gap of nearly 30 years between the pair.
Tyson, during his prime years, was formidable.
Anthony Joshua floored Francis Ngannou in just the second round of their boxing match on Friday night
GETTY
But they were in the 1980s, 40 years ago. Paul wasn't even born when the 57-year-old was leaving Trevor Berbick, Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks in the dust.
Netflix are championing the fight and are hopeful it will spark a new rise for the streaming service.
True boxing fans have no interest, though.
If you had a time machine and got the old Tyson back then perhaps it would be more interesting.
Eddie Hearn, speaking prior to Joshua's win over Ngannou, hit the nail on the head.
'We signed the contract.' @netflix @MostVpromotions tions #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/1H97Epxnkp
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 7, 2024
"It's a big event," said the 44-year-old. "I'm the wrong person to ask because I love boxing, so for me it's incredibly sad.
"Mike Tyson's nearly 60. I get it, a lot of people are gonna tune in.
"But my opinion as a hardcore fight fan - it's very sad."
Very sad indeed. Boxing needs Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk in May so the two Britons can finally lock horns. Otherwise, it will be Joshua vs Usyk for a third time.
It's no wonder the sport is losing it's sparkle.
