Frank Bruno in todays mix??

Chris W 1982 · Post by **Chris W 1982** » 30 Nov 2007, 14:26

How dyou guys think Bruno would compete with todays title holders?

I believe i'm right in assuming the Klitschko brothers would be victorious against Bruno, but what about the other title holders and contenders?

Would Frank's chin hold up against Sam Peter?
Would he find a way to beat Alex Povetkin?

Your thoughts guys?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 30 Nov 2007, 14:42

Bruno would probably stop Peter, his jab would be in Peter's face all night, and his right hand would hurt him, I don't think that Peter has the skills.

Wlad however I think would have taken Bruno apart, he would have had big physical advantages, and he has better variety in his work. However, if Frank landed one of his money punches, goodnight Viennna!

Chris W 1982 · Post by **Chris W 1982** » 30 Nov 2007, 14:44

Agree with the point about Wladimer, not too sure about Peter though. I just think that Peter could find one shot that could really unsettle Bruno, and he wasn't the best at coping under pressure.

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 30 Nov 2007, 18:02

I think Frank would knock china chin Vlad out. He might stuggle more with Peter, hed either win on points or gets stopped late, Peter is more rugged than Vlad

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 17 Dec 2007, 05:57

Frank took on Mike Tyson right after the Iron one's win over Spinks, which already separates him from today's motley crew. Can you imagine them queuing to take on a peak Tyson, surviving into the fifth round, shaking him up, even? Bruno hurt Tyson more than anyone else in the 80's, wobbled a monster akin to Louis, Dempsey, Liston and Marciano at that point (albeit briefly). Small wonder Harry Carpenter screamed "Get in there, Frank!" after that famous opening round left hook.
Bruno took on Tyson again. He took on Lewis, Witherspoon, Coetzee, Bonecrusher, Cummings, Tillis, McCall, The Truth, Bugner, Ferguson, LeDoux, Pika... Frank thus defined himself. Too many modern heavies are defined by the retirement of Lewis and the jailing of Ike Ibeabuchi. That says it all.
So what do we know about Bruno? We know he was a prodigious puncher with heart and dedication and the desire to fight the best; we also know he could have beaten Witherspoon and Lewis but for a lack of confidence at the highest level - he failed to jump on them once he had them hurt. One fight later, Witherspoon was floored three times and stopped inside a round by Bonecrusher; a desperate Lewis could thank Bruno's inability to survive a crisis for his win (Lennox, incidentally, despised Frank for the fact he really was British; he clearly undervalued his opponent).
A little self-belief, some 'smarts', cost Bruno the world.
And Frank's inability to cope once seriously hurt blighted his formative years. He simply froze like a rabbit in the headlights when nailed by a really big shot but did learn to hold and smother under trainer George Francis. It took him to the WBC heavyweight title on a memorable night at Wembley in 1995, when the musclebound Bruno, who always tired in his fights and could then be caught, clung on in the desperate final frames. I can see him doing much the same with the Samuel Peters of this world.
Then a less scary (but still scary) Tyson overcame Bruno again - more mentally than physically - and it was farewell to the giant Wandsworth boy. Still, I don't see any of today's world champions having a similar intimidatory effect on him. Frank was always formidable against men just outside the very elite. Men, you could argue, like those at the 'top' today.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 17 Dec 2007, 07:22

Wlad is the luckiest man in boxing.... such a huge flaw with his chin and mental strength BUT the rest of his peers are so inept he is the top dog by default...

I have said it a thousands time and I will say it again... You cannot be a great heavy if you fall over EVERYTIME someone connects with a half decent shot.

Watch his fights, everytime someone has hit him he has crumbled.

Vitali beat Bruno, yes I think he could, Wlad, i doubt it, too weak mentally and around the chops.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 17 Dec 2007, 07:27

I'm always intrigued to ponder what would have happened if the Bruno who fought Tyson II, had actually fought Holyfield instead.

Because much though I love Evander, I think Frank would have caused him some problems.

funso banjo baby · Post by **funso banjo baby** » 17 Dec 2007, 08:22

us best Mcline, toney, briggs all would have been Ko's inside 5

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 17 Dec 2007, 09:17

He would Ko Wlad, Wlad Is simular to Bruno except Bruno holds less and has a better jab and chin.

Once you hurt Klit, you have to go Mortal Kombat finish him style like Sanders did.