Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno, 1996.

Rocky Balboa · Post by **Rocky Balboa** » 29 Mar 2004, 14:51

How good of a performace was this from Iron Mike? How and why do you rate this performance throughout Mike Tyson's career?

Ok, so we all know Frank Bruno was not the most difficult assignment compared to other heavyweights out there at the time (Bowe, Lewis, Holyfield), but I feel he was significently better than the version who fought Tyson in 1989. Bruno was coming off a performace that won him the championship against Oliver McCall. He was bigger and stronger than the 1989 version, developed a wider range of punches and seemed to more confident of himself.

I remember the build-up to the bout, and Frank seemed to really assured of himself, that he was going to win etc. I know a lot of boxers always talk the talk in the build-up process, but Bruno did seem really confident. Mike Tyson was, well, he was himself. Never saying much in the press-conferences, but was confident of victory.

Bruno weighed in at a massive 247lbs, while Tyson was a rock-solid 220lbs. Boy, that is a big weight difference. Their first bout in 1989, Tyson weighed 218lbs, while Bruno scaled 228lbs.

Mike Tyson was relentless in his attack of Frank Bruno. Bruno was cut over the eye during the first round, and as my brother said 'Tyson got to Bruno way too early,' and there was nowhere for Bruno to go. The finishing combination by Tyson was reminiscent of the old Mike, mixing body and head shots, and then ripping uppercuts, while Bruno was on the ropes. Mills Lane had no choice, but to stop it.

Looking back, I can understand why a lot of people, including myself and a lot of others throughout the boxing world, felt Tyson was very near back to his old self when he dismantled Bruno. Evander Holyfield would later prove otherwise.

Anyway, what are your guys thoughts and recollection of the bout? Would like to hear them.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 29 Mar 2004, 15:32

rocky...

bruno was a large powerful man who could bang & fight. he had given lennox lewis a boxing lesson and seriously tested his balls. he had beaten oliver mccall in his previous fight.

in the 80s bruno was one of the few men who had actually given tyson a real rumble.

unfortunately, for whatever reason, bruno was totally physched out before he stepped in the ring. he had the size and power to put anyone in serious danger, and talking to him in the months leading up to that tyson fight there was no doubt that he truly, truly wanted that fight and he really did believe he woudl win, but when it was time to fight..... he let his fears completely overcome him.

however tysons power punching in the 1st rd also put some serious dents in him and his will power.

the technique and power punching from tyson in that fight was awesome, and the kayo was crushing. bruno, criticised for this 'glass chin', stood up to some fifteen full blooded crushing shots before the ref stepped in. few heavies could take ONE of those punches without being knocked clean out.

a scarey performance from tyson, one of the reasons bruce seldon wilted so quick next time out. he didnt want none of that.

{amateur} · Post by **{amateur}** » 30 Mar 2004, 08:59

Did tyson say that he felt sorry for Bruno when he went off the rails ? I can't quite remeber.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 30 Mar 2004, 13:38

yeah tyson said he cried for bruno. he was very depressed about the way the ex-champ has ended up.

{amateur} · Post by **{amateur}** » 31 Mar 2004, 07:23

Yeah thought so when i first heard about Bruno i was very upset too. And this again proves that Tyson is only human.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 31 Mar 2004, 09:07

{amateur} wrote:Yeah thought so when i first heard about Bruno i was very upset too. And this again proves that Tyson is only human.

You are what you eat...

Roco · Post by **Roco** » 19 Jan 2012, 12:50

overhand_right wrote:rocky...

bruno was a large powerful man who could bang & fight. he had given lennox lewis a boxing lesson and seriously tested his balls. he had beaten oliver mccall in his previous fight.

in the 80s bruno was one of the few men who had actually given tyson a real rumble.

unfortunately, for whatever reason, bruno was totally physched out before he stepped in the ring. he had the size and power to put anyone in serious danger, and talking to him in the months leading up to that tyson fight there was no doubt that he truly, truly wanted that fight and he really did believe he woudl win, but when it was time to fight..... he let his fears completely overcome him.

however tysons power punching in the 1st rd also put some serious dents in him and his will power.

the technique and power punching from tyson in that fight was awesome, and the kayo was crushing. bruno, criticised for this 'glass chin', stood up to some fifteen full blooded crushing shots before the ref stepped in. few heavies could take ONE of those punches without being knocked clean out.

a scarey performance from tyson, one of the reasons bruce seldon wilted so quick next time out. he didnt want none of that.

Perfect summary.

Bruno convinced himself that Tyson was rusty and that he had a chance, but he forgot all about it come fight night and was literally scared to death.

Those punches from their first fight obviously left deep mental scars.

dempseyfire · Post by **dempseyfire** » 19 Jan 2012, 16:15

Frank was a sad sight in the ring before the opening bell. Talking to himself, hitting himself in the head, trying to make mean faces . . .I can recall few times when an elite fighter was so utterly terrified in the ring.

loaded_gloves · Post by **loaded_gloves** » 19 Jan 2012, 16:48

It was a vintage, devastating Tyson performance. He was immediately moved back to the status of 'The Man', which was solidified when Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis got all they could handle with Golota and Mercer respectively, a month or two later.

Controversial · Post by **Controversial** » 19 Jan 2012, 19:52

I was really disappointed with Bruno in this fight. Lots of build up about him being bigger, stronger, more prepared etc..etc.. and many people thought Tyson wouldn't be the same fighter after his stint in prison. How wrong was that, Tyson smashed him. Bruno looked absolutely petrified, beaten before the bell even rung, a bit like Spinks.

loaded_gloves · Post by **loaded_gloves** » 20 Jan 2012, 06:41

Disagree with that Spinks remark - Michael looked exactly the same prior to the Tyson fight as he did every single Tyson fight. He's a very honest fellow and has always refuted any claims he was in any way scared. Eddie Futch too.

He always, ALWAYS, had that look about him!

Ketchel · Post by **Ketchel** » 20 Jan 2012, 09:25

Bruno was beaten before he got in the ring. On they way to the ring he was continually blessing himself. Not the actions of a confident man.

I'm sure he has admitted going into the ring with a damaged eye from the McCall fight (the same eye he had issues with before turning pro) knowing it was his last fight and a payday that he just could'nt pass up.

Bruno took his lumps before the inevitable defeat but in hindsight we should not read too much into Tyson's wiping out the equivalent of a deer caught in the headlights.

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 20 Jan 2012, 10:27

I also remember Benn saying that he felt intimidated by the gangstas at ringside, never mind Bruno having to step into the ring with Tyson. And if Nigel Benn was intimidated, anybody else would be

Crease · Post by **Crease** » 20 Jan 2012, 10:27

Tyson was always going to beat Frank Bruno. I think Bruno was afraid of Mike. Tyson was more powerful than Bruno - there would be no chance of Bruno overpowering Mike.

SaadOffTheDeck · Post by **SaadOffTheDeck** » 20 Jan 2012, 13:21

loaded_gloves wrote:Disagree with that Spinks remark - Michael looked exactly the same prior to the Tyson fight as he did every single Tyson fight. He's a very honest fellow and has always refuted any claims he was in any way scared. Eddie Futch too.

He always, ALWAYS, had that look about him!

This is madness, Spinks always looked terrified? Of course he is going to refute that he was frightened, he is an all time great Boxer. But the evidence to the contrary is full proof. I was giving him a good chance to win and watching it on Closed Circuit, seconds into his ring walk I told my friend he was getting knocked out in the first round. He was horrified.

loaded_gloves · Post by **loaded_gloves** » 20 Jan 2012, 13:56

He had the exact same awkward, nervy look about him prior to Mustafa Muhammad, Muhammad Qawi, Holmes and Cooney.

SaadOffTheDeck · Post by **SaadOffTheDeck** » 20 Jan 2012, 14:05

loaded_gloves wrote:He had the exact same awkward, nervy look about him prior to Mustafa Muhammad, Muhammad Qawi, Holmes and Cooney.

Nope

loaded_gloves · Post by **loaded_gloves** » 20 Jan 2012, 14:07

You obviously just don't want to admit it, as it's all there on tape and on youtube.

SaadOffTheDeck · Post by **SaadOffTheDeck** » 20 Jan 2012, 14:08

loaded_gloves wrote:You obviously just don't want to admit it, as it's all there on tape and on youtube.

I watched them all live and have them on DVD. Nothing to admit, you're wrong.

loaded_gloves · Post by **loaded_gloves** » 20 Jan 2012, 14:09

I've also have them on DVD. You're wrong.

This is madness.

SaadOffTheDeck · Post by **SaadOffTheDeck** » 20 Jan 2012, 14:43

Agreed, one of the dumbest things I've ever read.

Bricks · Post by **Bricks** » 21 Jan 2012, 06:41

Rocky Balboa wrote:How good of a performace was this from Iron Mike? How and why do you rate this performance throughout Mike Tyson's career?

Ok, so we all know Frank Bruno was not the most difficult assignment compared to other heavyweights out there at the time (Bowe, Lewis, Holyfield), but I feel he was significently better than the version who fought Tyson in 1989. Bruno was coming off a performace that won him the championship against Oliver McCall. He was bigger and stronger than the 1989 version, developed a wider range of punches and seemed to more confident of himself.

I remember the build-up to the bout, and Frank seemed to really assured of himself, that he was going to win etc. I know a lot of boxers always talk the talk in the build-up process, but Bruno did seem really confident. Mike Tyson was, well, he was himself. Never saying much in the press-conferences, but was confident of victory.

Bruno weighed in at a massive 247lbs, while Tyson was a rock-solid 220lbs. Boy, that is a big weight difference. Their first bout in 1989, Tyson weighed 218lbs, while Bruno scaled 228lbs.

Mike Tyson was relentless in his attack of Frank Bruno. Bruno was cut over the eye during the first round, and as my brother said 'Tyson got to Bruno way too early,' and there was nowhere for Bruno to go. The finishing combination by Tyson was reminiscent of the old Mike, mixing body and head shots, and then ripping uppercuts, while Bruno was on the ropes. Mills Lane had no choice, but to stop it.

Looking back, I can understand why a lot of people, including myself and a lot of others throughout the boxing world, felt Tyson was very near back to his old self when he dismantled Bruno. Evander Holyfield would later prove otherwise.

Anyway, what are your guys thoughts and recollection of the bout? Would like to hear them.

my recollection is how slow tentative and musclebound tyson looked and how frightened to death Frank Bruno was as he stepped into the ring,even though he tried hard to intimidate Tyson and fight back and pre fight he had said some entertaining and confident words. That version of bruno was so slow and musclebound even compared to the 1989 version.
Not much of a heavyweight title fight between two fighters in reality and hindsight not even top 5 HW's in early 96...tyson was just going along on his reputation and was still very very rusty.
I do like how your post gives Bruno credit....Frank was always a man who tried to win and fought through his pre fight nerves....it was just on this night perhaps more than ever in his career it proved too much.
The 89 Tyson that beat Frank was an absolute remorseless animal....that memory was what caused Franks meltdown and also to Seldon too...even though we now all know the 96 Tysons greatest weapon was his reputation and people mistakenly thinking he was still prime Tyson

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 21 Jan 2012, 07:13

dempseyfire wrote:Frank was a sad sight in the ring before the opening bell. Talking to himself, hitting himself in the head, trying to make mean faces . . .I can recall few times when an elite fighter was so utterly terrified in the ring.

Agreed.

Bruno really let himself down that night.

Bruno was amongst my top 3 most scared looking before a fight I've ever seen.

Ironically, my top 3 are Tyson fights!

I'll put the frightened fighter in bold capitals:-

1) Holyfield -v- TYSON 2
2) Tyson -v- STEWART
3) Tyson -v- BRUNO 2

loaded_gloves · Post by **loaded_gloves** » 21 Jan 2012, 10:59

How was Tyson not top 5 in 96? Which 5 heavies would have beaten him?

Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno, 1996.

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