Why Didn't Frank Bruno fight for the British title ?

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

He had only lost once as his DQ was punching whilst his opponent was on the floor but to be fair
The guy was down for the 5th time and should have been waved off!

Pretty sure Neville Meade stopped him in two for the Welsh title.

[mickey1975]

I met Bruno on Sunday at a function and wasn't overly impressed with him. All sound bites, etc. then after doing the bare minimum, was out the fire exit. Not a patch on Hatton at these sorts of things.

[lukep]

That is your opinion and I respect it, but I believe Pearce would have had a brilliant chance to KO Bruno around 1983-84 as he was in his prime, he had KO power and had an iron chin.

He might not of, but that is my opinion.

My opinion is based on views from others respected in the business around the years I have mentioned as Terry Lawless said Frank Bruno would never fight Pearce after stoppage wins over McDonald,Andries,Ferris,Meade.

Wally Pearce also offered £20,000 as a side bet to try to make the fight happen through the News of the World but Terry Lawless didn't feel Frank was ready.



Bruno could be hurt by a big puncher especially around that time.

The Meade stoppage was when David was barely 19 and was disputed as the ref stepped in early... But hats off to Neville Meade who was known as a big puncher.

David was suited to a lower division and after 1984 Bruno excelled in the Heavyweight division and I fully supported him and was extremely happy when he beat Oliver McCall at Wembley.

[lukep]

He had only lost once as his DQ was punching whilst his opponent was on the floor but to be fair
The guy was down for the 5th time and should have been waved off!

Pretty sure Neville Meade stopped him in two for the Welsh title.

Yes he had one loss going into that DQ fight

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

That is your opinion and I respect it, but I believe Pearce would have had a brilliant chance to KO Bruno around 1983-84 as he was in his prime, he had KO power and had an iron chin.

He might not of, but that is my opinion.

My opinion is based on views from others respected in the business around the years I have mentioned as Terry Lawless said Frank Bruno would never fight Pearce after stoppage wins over McDonald,Andries,Ferris,Meade.

Wally Pearce also offered £20,000 as a side bet to try to make the fight happen through the News of the World but Terry Lawless didn't feel Frank was ready.


Bruno could be hurt by a big puncher especially around that time.

The Meade stoppage was when David was barely 19 and was disputed as the ref stepped in early... But hats off to Neville Meade who was known as a big puncher.

David was suited to a lower division and after 1984 Bruno excelled in the Heavyweight division and I fully supported him and was extremely happy when he beat Oliver McCall at Wembley.

I disagree with all that though I respect your opinion too but Bruno was never going to be knocked out (counted to 10) by anyone other than a genuine heavyweight and b) world class at that.

One thing that was near enough criminal was how the 'cartel' undermatched Bruno throughout his career - they should have let him loose on the likes of Greg Page, Trevor Berbick, Tony Tubbs etc - he would have had all those guys.

And because someone offers a side bet through a newspaper doesn't mean a team are scared or are ducking a fighter - if I offered you 20000 that you wouldn't jump off Big Ben in a bunjee jump through the sunday sport and you said 'no' - it doesn't mean you are scared.

And you never mentioned this but Bruno easily stopped Luicen Rodriguez - who apart from two very dramatic knockdowns - outpointed Pearce comfortably 361 days earlier in a European title defence.

But yes, David should have plied his trade in the light heavyweight division as he would have been a monster at the weight.

[lukep]

I respect you once again and you are totally right in what your saying especially reference the cartel ....
But I will answer your point with some facts maybe you didn't know.

Lucien Rodriquez had just gone the distance with Larry Holmes in America going in to this fight and was on a high.

David Pearce fought Lucien Rodriquez in Limoges away from home in the biggest ring possible he dropped the champion with two heavy Knockdowns which Lucien was down for over 10 seconds, he also slept on a bench the night before the fight and had two broken hands going in which led to Paddy Monaghan not travelling as he felt David could win easily if he waited for his hands to heal (Monaghan's Opinion) this is why he didn't have a corner man and allegedly was there..!!

He never made an excuse and these facts weren't disclosed at the time.

Not taking anything from Frank Bruno's win over Lucien Rodiquez it was impressive but it was in the UK on his terms and Lucien wasn't the same fighter his own admission.



Kind regards

[lukep]

How do you think he would have campaigned at Light Heavyweight??

He never had a proper training camp or proper sparring until he was used as a sparring partner once retired (ie: Lennox Lewis)

although small was never cut and had weight to lose, I think he needed to go to London which Alex Steene wanted and maybe someone to give him a proper diet or camp.

Kind Regards

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

How do you think he would have campaigned at Light Heavyweight??

He never had a proper training camp or proper sparring until he was used as a sparring partner once retired (ie: Lennox Lewis)

although small was never cut and had weight to lose, I think he needed to go to London which Alex Steene wanted and maybe someone to give him a proper diet or camp.

Kind Regards

It is a pity really because if he had been around another year - just a year - he could have been in the mix up for the British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles against Stewart Lithgo, Steve Aczel and Sammy Reeson - I think he would have had a massive chance against all those fighters and that could have got him access to a world title shot against someone like S.T Gordon - he could have won what was a merry go round for the WBC cruiserweight title - none of the above scenario was ridiculous - in fact it is very realistic.

At light heavyweight, he could done so much, he stopped Dennis Andries (albeit with a stone in weight advantage) but it would have been interesting to see how they would have gone on weighing the same but David wasn't a heavyweight I am afraid - it shows his guts and bravery that he was willing to mix it up with those big lumps at just 13 and a half stone.

[bennie]

Sadly, the Rodriguez challenge finished Dave Pearce as a fighter. Knockdowns apart, he took an horrendous beating and there was clearly something wrong with him by the closing rounds when he just couldn't get out of the way of the Frenchman's punches.

[bennie]

It was sickening stuff, mate. Rodriguez couldn't break an egg but looked like Tommy Hearns as he knocked Pearce's head back repeatedly.

[Bodyshot3]

@lukep....thanks for the contribution and very interesting to read the stuff about Rodriguez.

I've read Bruno's first 'ghosted' book several times and reading between the lines, Frank and his team did view LR as someone who had the potential to be a proper nuisance and they were genuinely surprised by how quickly they won the fight.

[jamesmcdonnell]

If Bruno had fought for the British we may never have seen Hughroy Currie v Funso Banjo perhaps the most thrilling 15 rounds in British heavyweight history?






(Anyone who is old enough to have seen this 'fight' will know how incredibly sarcastic I am being)

Was it Hughroy Currie who used to make that really annoying noise where he blew air from his nose as he punched? If not, does anyone know who I'm talking about.

[mickey1975]

I'm guessing the "p" in lukep stands for Pearce?

[lukep]

How do you think he would have campaigned at Light Heavyweight??

He never had a proper training camp or proper sparring until he was used as a sparring partner once retired (ie: Lennox Lewis)

although small was never cut and had weight to lose, I think he needed to go to London which Alex Steene wanted and maybe someone to give him a proper diet or camp.

Kind Regards

It is a pity really because if he had been around another year - just a year - he could have been in the mix up for the British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles against Stewart Lithgo, Steve Aczel and Sammy Reeson - I think he would have had a massive chance against all those fighters and that could have got him access to a world title shot against someone like S.T Gordon - he could have won what was a merry go round for the WBC cruiserweight title - none of the above scenario was ridiculous - in fact it is very realistic.

At light heavyweight, he could done so much, he stopped Dennis Andries (albeit with a stone in weight advantage) but it would have been interesting to see how they would have gone on weighing the same but David wasn't a heavyweight I am afraid - it shows his guts and bravery that he was willing to mix it up with those big lumps at just 13 and a half stone.

[lukep]

How do you think he would have campaigned at Light Heavyweight??

He never had a proper training camp or proper sparring until he was used as a sparring partner once retired (ie: Lennox Lewis)

although small was never cut and had weight to lose, I think he needed to go to London which Alex Steene wanted and maybe someone to give him a proper diet or camp.

Kind Regards

It is a pity really because if he had been around another year - just a year - he could have been in the mix up for the British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles against Stewart Lithgo, Steve Aczel and Sammy Reeson - I think he would have had a massive chance against all those fighters and that could have got him access to a world title shot against someone like S.T Gordon - he could have won what was a merry go round for the WBC cruiserweight title - none of the above scenario was ridiculous - in fact it is very realistic.

At light heavyweight, he could done so much, he stopped Dennis Andries (albeit with a stone in weight advantage) but it would have been interesting to see how they would have gone on weighing the same but David wasn't a heavyweight I am afraid - it shows his guts and bravery that he was willing to mix it up with those big lumps at just 13 and a half stone.

Its lovely to see he is still remembered fondly, I value your opinion

[lukep]

@lukep....thanks for the contribution and very interesting to read the stuff about Rodriguez.

I've read Bruno's first 'ghosted' book several times and reading between the lines, Frank and his team did view LR as someone who had the potential to be a proper nuisance and they were genuinely surprised by how quickly they won the fight.

His story and trip to France was documented on an ITV Documentary as was the brain scan, Thank you for your kind words

[lukep]

Sadly, the Rodriguez challenge finished Dave Pearce as a fighter. Knockdowns apart, he took an horrendous beating and there was clearly something wrong with him by the closing rounds when he just couldn't get out of the way of the Frenchman's punches.

You know, I've heard that said before but I just don't remember the fight like that. Now, it is a long time since I watched it, I admit, but I don't recall Pearce taking that much punishment. The memory fades and all that though, so you're probably right, and I know he failed his brain scan shortly thereafter. Either way, apparently, Pearce took a serious beating when he made a comeback over in America some years later. They put him in with some giant and Pearce took a lot of punishment before being stopped - and he was a tough, tough guy so it probably took a lot to stop him.

Totally agree with the above ..... If you see the post fight interviews and listen to what Rodriquez said after the fight and in the years after, also Pearce had a standing Ovation by the crowd and the most experienced judge had the fight 115-114.

Albeit one Journalist wrote he took a beating but it was based on the boxing skills and Pearce's style, he also wrote how his Bravery was normally seen on Battlefields.

One person told me he had jumped of the sofa in support of Pearce when Rodriquez was put down and was disappointed with the long counts.

Its funny because in the 1980's following on from Ali's era the whole division got stick and the commentators and press were very negative at times, but today if you come forward and go for it ie; a Recently Retired John Murray, Lee Purdy, and take shots they are revered on Sky and the press call them brave and what a fighter!

Kind regards

[lukep]

I'm the first to admit he wasn't the best stylistic or skilful but he was smaller than everyone in every department so had to have a style to get close to these big men.

Boxing News said "he will be sorely missed the Incomparable David Pearce"

Thank you for the comments reference Pearce at Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight and Heavyweight.

Boxers and promoters from the time loved him as a person and it's sad his life ended so soon but to see that he's still remembered is touching

[lukep]

@lukep....thanks for the contribution and very interesting to read the stuff about Rodriguez.

I've read Bruno's first 'ghosted' book several times and reading between the lines, Frank and his team did view LR as someone who had the potential to be a proper nuisance and they were genuinely surprised by how quickly they won the fight.

His story and trip to France was documented on an ITV Documentary as was the brain scan, Thank you for your kind words

You know, I think I vaguely remember that documentary. I would love to see it again. I also recall there was some talk a few years ago of building a statue in Newport as a tribute the David Perace. I'm not sure if that ever happened, although it's a great idea.

It's all documented as is the Broken hands going into the fight, so to drop the champion was a feat in itself.

Thank you

Kind Regards

[lukep]

I don't think the hands helped to be fair!

He fought Don Curry, Colin is the head coach of Welsh Boxing at the moment his fights with Kirkland Laing were entertaining

[ERIC GUY]

Quarless had outpointed former WBA champion John Tate (this wasn't as impressive as it sounds though. It was Tate's last fight, he was about 20 stone and really was a shadow of his former self)

Can't vouch for the accuracy of this but I seem to recall the BBBC were a bit concerned about Tate's condition when he arrived in UK, he was given a standard medical and was found to be a touch under 19st, he assured the Board officials that he would be in better shape by fight night (think he was in UK a couple of weeks before) but (and I can't for the life of me recall what it was) he discovered some chocolate bar that wasn't available in States, ate it morning, noon and night and put over a stone on by the time he got into the ring.

I dont recall that, as I was with John Tate at that time, , but he was very lazy, when he went running, me and Frank followed him in a car next door to Profiles in St Mary Cray, where he stayed!!!, We also had shows with Tim Witherspoon at york hall, and Roberto Duran

[lukep]

His story and trip to France was documented on an ITV Documentary as was the brain scan, Thank you for your kind words

You know, I think I vaguely remember that documentary. I would love to see it again. I also recall there was some talk a few years ago of building a statue in Newport as a tribute the David Perace. I'm not sure if that ever happened, although it's a great idea.

It's all documented as is the Broken hands going into the fight, so to drop the champion was a feat in itself.

Thank you

Kind Regards

Thank you also for your interesting comments.

It is great David 'Bomber' Pearce is remembered so fondly.

Here is some recent stories in the press:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14719423.display/

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/NEWS/1 ... e/?ref=rss

http://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-pearce

Kind Regards

[Counter-puncher]

Classy thread and nice contributions, thanks guys