The taxpayer-funded stadium, built in Stratford for the London 2012 Olympic Games, is home to West Ham United, who were relegated to the Championship last season.

Stadium bosses now say they're ready to recategorize boxing events to increase capacity. Under the current categorizations, all so-called “sporting events” are limited to a 60,000 capacity, but “unique events”, such as music and entertainment, are afforded a capacity of 85,000, which represents an increase of more than 30 percent.

According to City AM, the London-based newspaper, the stadium’s operator, LS185, plans to recategorize boxing shows from sporting events to unique events in hopes of attracting major promotions to the Olympic Park.

No boxing show has ever taken place at London Stadium, but the nearby 7,000-capacity Copper Box Arena has hosted boxing regularly since 2013. West Ham’s old home, Upton Park, hosted memorable fights like David Haye vs Derek Chisora and Michael Katsidis vs lifelong Hammers fan Kevin Mitchell.

As it stands, Wembley Stadium, in the northwest of the capital, and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in north London, are the most viable options for superfights on these shores. Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, where Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will meet on December 11, is an option in the winter due to its retractable roof.

But now London Stadium chiefs want to keep it as an option, given how lucrative sold-out stadium shows can be. More than 80,000 are expected for Fury-Joshua in Cardiff, while several fights at Wembley Stadium over the past decade have sold out similarly. 

British, Commonwealth and European champion George Liddard and his stablemate Jimmy Sains have already spoken openly about their dream of fighting at London Stadium. At the same time, Connor Mitchell, son of Kevin, also wants to follow in his father’s footsteps by boxing on the West Ham pitch one day.

This move might just bring those dreams closer to reality.