SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Saturday night’s ‘Bad Intentions’ boxing fight between Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte, went according to bookmakers’ scripts as heavily backed favourite Joshua knocked out Whyte in the seventh round at the London 02 Arena.
Nevertheless Saturday’s fight night saw the emergence of an unlikely heavyweight contender in London grime artist Stormzy (Michael Omari), who performed his single ‘Shut Up’ live as Anthony Joshua’s ring walk anthem.
Stormzy’s live performance garnered nearly as much attention on social media as the fight itself. On Monday the grime artist announced that he would launch his assault on the UK Top 40 Singles Chart for Christmas Number 1.
Aiming to become the first ever grime artist to land the UK singles number 1 spot, brave Stormzy will take on the might of the X Factor machine who have pitched 2015 winner Louisa Johnson ‘Forever Young’ as its Christmas song.
At present Johnson’s ‘Forever Young’ leads bookmaker’s market at 5/4, ahead of current Top 40 number 1 Justin Bieber’s ‘Love Yourself’ which has been placed at 4/1 to take the coveted Christmas title.
Reacting to social media buzz, UK bookmakers yesterday placed Stormzy ‘Shut Up’ 5/1 third favourite 5/1 ahead of the NHS Choir (7/1) and John Hurts Star Wars Theme (9/1)
Stormzy’s bid is not backed favourably by previous ‘Christmas Number 1’ results, Since 2005 the X Factor has claimed seven festive winners, can the South London grime artist prove to be an Xmas fairy tale?
The UK Christmas Number 1 will be announced on Sunday 18 December
UK Christmas Number 1 – Market Odds
