Lewis-Bruno vs. Joshua-Fury : “Best of BrItish”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Was Frank not that educated?

I mean most boxers now days are thick as tits tbh.

How where most boxers back then? I mean I guess you can see the ones that had brains against the ones that didn’t.

[Cholo_cws]

Yeah - I know, personally I see the birth of the WBO heavyweight title - as Akinwande when Don King placed Akinwande vs Zolkin on the Tyson vs Holyfield undercard and gave it equal press time as Moorer vs Botha.

Although it could have been quite different, I am sure Mike Tyson was scheduled to fight Francesco Damiani in February 1990 in Tokyo..... Damiani was WBO champion at the time and I think (although not sure) his title was supposed to be on the line. Damiani pulled out injured, and up stepped up Buster Douglas. How things might have been so different.

Damiani also was meant to box Holyfield but hot injured and Bert cooper stepped in

Yes, he was and as a replacement for Tyson of course.

------

Tyson though was due to fight Ruddock in November 1989 and it got postponed and then cancelled. Not sure when Douglas came into the picture but I can't recall Damiani being mentioned. He himself had a WBO fight in mid-Dec 1989.

[bigjack]

So Lewis vs. Bruno happened in 1993. I was one year old.



It was the first time 2 British born Heavyweights fought for the world title.
Without checking did Lewis defend against another Brit born? If not then would Joshua-Fury be the 2nd fight contested for a world title by Brit born heavyweights?
EDIT
Lewis defended against Akinwande.

Just a few questions. No doubt IF Joshua-Fury happens it will be huge.

How big was Lewis vs. Bruno at the time?
Why was it not at Wembley?
Was it promoted hugely?
Will Joshua-Fury surpass it in terms of hype?

Was it a ‘must’ fight at the time?

Lewis was a 4-1 favourite? Who did the majority want to win? Was it split?

Now we have social media, so in terms of promotion/build up, Joshua-Fury is already there, the fight sells itself.

With no social media on 93, how well was it promoted? Was it national news? Daytime tv? Etc.

Thanks in advance to anyone.

Jesus I was 27 then

[My Name Is Earl]

So Lewis vs. Bruno happened in 1993. I was one year old.



It was the first time 2 British born Heavyweights fought for the world title.
Without checking did Lewis defend against another Brit born? If not then would Joshua-Fury be the 2nd fight contested for a world title by Brit born heavyweights?
EDIT
Lewis defended against Akinwande.

Just a few questions. No doubt IF Joshua-Fury happens it will be huge.

How big was Lewis vs. Bruno at the time?
Why was it not at Wembley?
Was it promoted hugely?
Will Joshua-Fury surpass it in terms of hype?

Was it a ‘must’ fight at the time?

Lewis was a 4-1 favourite? Who did the majority want to win? Was it split?

Now we have social media, so in terms of promotion/build up, Joshua-Fury is already there, the fight sells itself.

With no social media on 93, how well was it promoted? Was it national news? Daytime tv? Etc.

Thanks in advance to anyone.

Jesus I was 27 then

[Ruthless-RKO]

So Lewis vs. Bruno happened in 1993. I was one year old.



It was the first time 2 British born Heavyweights fought for the world title.
Without checking did Lewis defend against another Brit born? If not then would Joshua-Fury be the 2nd fight contested for a world title by Brit born heavyweights?
EDIT
Lewis defended against Akinwande.

Just a few questions. No doubt IF Joshua-Fury happens it will be huge.

How big was Lewis vs. Bruno at the time?
Why was it not at Wembley?
Was it promoted hugely?
Will Joshua-Fury surpass it in terms of hype?

Was it a ‘must’ fight at the time?

Lewis was a 4-1 favourite? Who did the majority want to win? Was it split?

Now we have social media, so in terms of promotion/build up, Joshua-Fury is already there, the fight sells itself.

With no social media on 93, how well was it promoted? Was it national news? Daytime tv? Etc.

Thanks in advance to anyone.

Jesus I was 27 then

That’s how old I am now haha

[MarkMcBurney]

"Sponsored by Cardiff"

[richie bee]

Little known fact , in franks corner was a guy called Rupert who was Lennox Lewis’s brother- Dennis dad and who Lennox sometimes stayed with when a child .

[Onetimeonly]

Very technically....they heyday of the WBO, when fighters like Mercer and Bowe gave the title up because it was hampering their careers.

Yeah - I know, personally I see the birth of the WBO heavyweight title - as Akinwande when Don King placed Akinwande vs Zolkin on the Tyson vs Holyfield undercard and gave it equal press time as Moorer vs Botha.

Although it could have been quite different, I am sure Mike Tyson was scheduled to fight Francesco Damiani in February 1990 in Tokyo..... Damiani was WBO champion at the time and I think (although not sure) his title was supposed to be on the line. Damiani pulled out injured, and up stepped up Buster Douglas. How things might have been so different.

Damian was supposed to be the replacement for Tyson that ended up being Cooper.

[Menty]

I remember the fight well - this was Lewis in just his 23rd fight, pre Steward and where his trainer at the time, Pepe Correra, was little more than a cheerleader, and where Lewis got through without a gameplan and on natural ability alone. I’m pretty certain that after working with Steward a more seasoned and focused Lewis would have finished Bruno without too much trouble.

[bigjack]

I remember the fight well - this was Lewis in just his 23rd fight, pre Steward and where his trainer at the time, Pepe Correra, was little more than a cheerleader, and where Lewis got through without a gameplan and on natural ability alone. I’m pretty certain that after working with Steward a more seasoned and focused Lewis would have finished Bruno without too much trouble.

ah the famous Pepe Correa famous last words in the McCall first fight, 'forget everything i've taught you and go out and ko him' mmmm look at how that ended

[Twinkle Toes]

I was so excited for this fight back in the day. It was a huge event in my opinion.

Bruno put in a great showing, jabbing really well and rabbit punching like you wouldn't believe. He had Lewis in a bit of bother in the 3rd too. Ultimately though there was always a matter of time feeling about the fight and sure enough Lewis hit Bruno with a big left hook in the 7th and that was it. Vann made a complete mess of the stoppage.

[polecateddy]

Bruno looks pretty slow when you look back on this now. I don't really rate Bruno when he packed on a stone of muscle post Tyson 1. And it was probably one of the worst versions of Lewis on display.

[coghaugen11]

Bruno and Lewis even at this stage were a class above Joshua. Bruno past his sharpest and Lewis still raw looking. Class apart from AJ.

[coghaugen11]

And it was collosus. Massive.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Bruno and Lewis even at this stage were a class above Joshua. Bruno past his sharpest and Lewis still raw looking. Class apart from AJ.

I'm not sure what you're seeing in Bruno. Joshua whilst hardly nijinsky is more mobile than bruno, and definitely more variety in his work. Hes also survived being badly hurt to win, twice, something bruno only ever managed once against a raddled McCall.

[coghaugen11]

I see him thoroughly out boxing a 20s Lennox Lewis. If it was a 40s Lennox or whatever then fair enough.

[polecateddy]

Lewis was well off-form, and would have been out-boxed by Fury and you could even make an argument for Joshua, (although you wouldn't want to bet your house on it). Mind you the post-McCall version of Lewis was a different class. As for Bruno - he totally lacks the athleticism of Joshua. And I'm a Bruno fan! 11 years old - cheered on Bruno v Witherspoon!

[coghaugen11]

Would he......

[mickey1975]

And it was collosus. Massive.

Nowhere near what a Fury-AJ fight would be. It wasn’t even nearly sold out. Nowhere near as many had Sky or access to it. Lennox wasn’t that popular, Bruno was the family’s favourite, but not enough to make dad go out and buy a dish.

[polecateddy]

Yes, Lewis v Bruno was interesting but going into it Bruno was a massive underdog and really seen as slightly damaged goods after his other two world title loses. The event had plenty of press but as it was obvious who the better fighter was, I wouldn’t say it caught the public’s imagination.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yes, Lewis v Bruno was interesting but going into it Bruno was a massive underdog and really seen as slightly damaged goods after his other two world title loses. The event had plenty of press but as it was obvious who the better fighter was, I wouldn’t say it caught the public’s imagination.

I think Lewis was considered a true Brit. Born in West Ham, represented Canada in the Olympics.

Fought more in the US didn’t he?

[Fray Bentos]

Yes, Lewis v Bruno was interesting but going into it Bruno was a massive underdog and really seen as slightly damaged goods after his other two world title loses. The event had plenty of press but as it was obvious who the better fighter was, I wouldn’t say it caught the public’s imagination.

I think Lewis was considered a true Brit. Born in West Ham, represented Canada in the Olympics.

Fought more in the US didn’t he?

At the time, some did, some didn't.

A weird fight that was under threat with rain stopping play as it was October in Cardiff Bruno wasn't expected to do anything but performed far better than expected, I was watching it wit my dad, little brother and friend and it looked like after round six he might just do it and we were willing him on but you could see those heavily muscled arms dropping and Lewis catching him.

I think it is fair to say British boxing fans didn't really take to him despite what he achieved, he was always British to me but plenty thought otherwise, Bruno maintained he wasn't really, even after the fight.

[mickey1975]

I don’t think he’s ever thought he was British. Jamaican, definitely.

[Fray Bentos]

I don’t think he’s ever thought he was British. Jamaican, definitely.

Doesn't he live in Florida these days?

[PredatorHayds]

I can’t help but remember this fight every time I walk past Cardiff Arms Park.