Who do you think is bigger, Joshua or Bruno?

[Terminator666]

Bruno had advantages over Joshua. No internet only four tv channels and not much else to do meant people took notice of him. He did have personality and charisma as well though

[coghaugen11]

Bruno had advantages over Joshua. No internet only four tv channels and not much else to do meant people took notice of him. He did have personality and charisma as well though

And a genuine bloke.

[Autobarn]

Bruno won a world title at Wembley in front of 30k

Joshua is fighting Takam in Cardiff in front of 80k. He already has a 90k live gate under his belt too

Speaking of his world title win. Bruno boxed very well vs someone who stunned Lennox, then after tiring held non stop for I believe the final third of the fight. Recall it being borderline unwatchable, and not til Gavin Rees protected his lead against Souleymane M’baye over a decade later would we see such a poor world title victory.

But it was a very good story.

I’m not the biggest Bruno fan. Mainly because he wasn’t facing contenders. One reason why I’ve enjoyed the careers of Whyte and Chisora.

But in this era Internet fans would’ve ripped Bruno.

[polecateddy]

Bruno won a world title at Wembley in front of 30k

Joshua is fighting Takam in Cardiff in front of 80k. He already has a 90k live gate under his belt too

Speaking of his world title win. Bruno boxed very well vs someone who stunned Lennox, then after tiring held non stop for I believe the final third of the fight. Recall it being borderline unwatchable, and not til Gavin Rees protected his lead against Souleymane M’baye over a decade later would we see such a poor world title victory.

But it was a very good story.

I’m not the biggest Bruno fan. Mainly because he wasn’t facing contenders. One reason why I’ve enjoyed the careers of Whyte and Chisora.

But in this era Internet fans would’ve ripped Bruno.

Too many tomato cans. It’s a shame really the Ray Mercer might didn’t happen. It would have been the only occasion where Bruno would have battled a genuine world class opponent in a non-title fight. It would have been an uphill task though probably. I think ironically by the time Bruno did beat McCall, the popularity bubble had burst a bit. There wasn’t the sense of a whole nation behind him he had in Witherspoon and Tyson 1.

[stujones]

Must admit when I watched Joshua vs Usyk, I did think "who would win a prime Bruno vs Joshua fight" - it is so hard to guage Bruno's talent really - as it was Tomato Cans and then he fought 2 of the very very best champions and gave a respectable account of himself. As noted there was that no "in between" or no "world class in a non title fight" opponent - probably the best win Bruno had was vs an aging James Tillis - who by that stage was a tune up for the likes of Holyfield..... Jessie Ferguson would get a shock world title fight after he fought Bruno, but was (in truth) very much in sparring partner / journeyman mode in the main by the time he fought Bruno. Carl Williams was the same really - way past his prime.

Both had similar flaws but Johsua last Saturday was tired and weary after 6 rounds of quite a slow pace. It wasn't as if Usyk put in an Henry Armstrong display of throwing 200 punches - there was a lot of faints and cagey stuff - so nervous energy can really get to Joshua and seeing Joshua fall for faints wasn't good for the future.

Bruno off course also fades and it was a huge flaw - but at least you can see "why" Bruno fade - a lot of nervous energy yes, but also he was setting a pretty decent pace (or on the receiving end as he was vs Tyson).

It is so hard to guage Bruno and I never was, or never will be a fan - but if I had to lean on a pick and I never thought I would say this - I think Bruno would KO the Joshua who fought Usyk. As good as Usyk was, Joshua looked awful - frail around the whiskers, slow to react with terrible stamina. I think Bruno's better chin early in contests would be the decisive factor and I would say Bruno TKO 3.

I know this wasn't what the thread was about - but I have thought about since the Usyk fight.

But I will say - best Ring entrance I have ever seen! Although just needs to cut out the R and B stuff and stick to the Rocky IV soundtrack!

[coneye]

Depends what your looking for ,, most succesful financially it would have to be AJ without doubt ,, better known no doubt about it BRUNO by a mile always on mainstream tv ,, even my mother and grand mother knew him
Who wins with them hard too pick both got a good stiff jab ,, both like robots , both hit hard and both a bit chinny ,,, suppose first too land wins

[stujones]

Depends what your looking for ,, most succesful financially it would have to be AJ without doubt ,, better known no doubt about it BRUNO by a mile always on mainstream tv ,, even my mother and grand mother knew him
Who wins with them hard too pick both got a good stiff jab ,, both like robots , both hit hard and both a bit chinny ,,, suppose first too land wins

I agree and it is a really telling of how poor the current division is - the fact it is a pick em and Bruno is considered one of the poorer HW champions in history and Joshua has been a unified champion for years!

[margaret thatcher]

usyk wouldve beat bruno too

[Giancarlo]

Depends what your looking for ,, most succesful financially it would have to be AJ without doubt ,, better known no doubt about it BRUNO by a mile always on mainstream tv ,, even my mother and grand mother knew him
Who wins with them hard too pick both got a good stiff jab ,, both like robots , both hit hard and both a bit chinny ,,, suppose first too land wins

Good post coneye.

I remember someone describing being hit flush with Bruno's jab as being like walking into a concrete lamp post. His right hand was brutal as well.

But, yes, he was very robotic and often had to think before throwing a punch, nothing natural in his technique.

And, of course, he was chinny.

I agree with your assessment that whoever lands the first big shot is likely to win. I would add one caveat though. Bruno had fighting heart and could SOMETIMES come back from being badly hurt. The Jumbo Cumming's fight comes to mind. Of course he got a minutes rest and Joshua isn't Cummings but Big Frank was still in cloud cuckoo land when the bell rang for the next round but he hung in there and eventually won.

[Giancarlo]

usyk wouldve beat bruno too

Definitely

[DrDuke]

usyk wouldve beat bruno too

It would be the same masterclass.

[Autobarn]

Depends what your looking for ,, most succesful financially it would have to be AJ without doubt ,, better known no doubt about it BRUNO by a mile always on mainstream tv ,, even my mother and grand mother knew him
Who wins with them hard too pick both got a good stiff jab ,, both like robots , both hit hard and both a bit chinny ,,, suppose first too land wins

Good post coneye.

I remember someone describing being hit flush with Bruno's jab as being like walking into a concrete lamp post. His right hand was brutal as well.

But, yes, he was very robotic and often had to think before throwing a punch, nothing natural in his technique.

And, of course, he was chinny.

I agree with your assessment that whoever lands the first big shot is likely to win. I would add one caveat though. Bruno had fighting heart and could SOMETIMES come back from being badly hurt. The Jumbo Cumming's fight comes to mind. Of course he got a minutes rest and Joshua isn't Cummings but Big Frank was still in cloud cuckoo land when the bell rang for the next round but he hung in there and eventually won.

And obviously many feel Joshua v Whyte was the second coming of Bruno v Cummings. Two very exciting and similar fights, showing the weaknesses of both winners,

[Autobarn]

A shame we got neither Bruno vs Contenders, nor domestic rivals (Lewis aside). Bruno v Mason or Hide would’ve been interesting.

Bruno was protected between big opportunities. His finest hour, I feel, is his dramatic fight vs the old school Witherspoon (Bruno tiring late & stopped).

By the way, does anyone recall Mystic Meg picking Bruno to upset Tyson in their rematch?

[Offthehook]

joshua no doubt

[Terminator666]

If you take people who were say 14 plus in 1982 then Bruno is definitely better known and remembered—even non boxing’s fans knew he was. That’s not the case so much with Joshua

[Counter-puncher]

Bruno was big enough that any football club mid-80s with a large black man in the team, 90% chance of the geezer being nicknamed 'Bruno' by the fans.

we thought it was a complement, too.

[Counter-puncher]

or at least, I am sure that Wolves's Floyd Streete was far from the only large black man to glory in the chants of 'Bruno, Bruno'
Darren Beckford at Vale, too, as I recall.

[Offthehook]

Bruno was big enough that any football club mid-80s with a large black man in the team, 90% chance of the geezer being nicknamed 'Bruno' by the fans.

we thought it was a complement, too.

this is a good point. unfortunately i was only born in the greatest decade of all time so wasnt too aware of his pulling power then, only in the mid 90s do i remember him. In retrospect your probably right in that bruno was 'bigger' than aj.

[coghaugen11]

Usyk isn’t beating Bruno. Bruno didn’t tap the jab.

[mickey1975]

Usyk isn’t beating Bruno. Bruno didn’t tap the jab.

I don't think they will box.

[coghaugen11]

Usyk isn’t beating Bruno. Bruno didn’t tap the jab.

I don't think they will box.

In fantasy land. Which is the world most of you posters tend to live in anyway.

[margaret thatcher]

Usyk isn’t beating Bruno. Bruno didn’t tap the jab.

ya he would've, would've moved around and peppered stiff slow frank , better fitness too. points win no doubt

[coghaugen11]

He struggled enough with Joshua. A guy looking into the crowd and who didn’t throw one left hook in 12 rounds.

[golden_labrador]

i remember me and my friends talking about the Bruno-Tyson fight when we were in year 4 at primary school.

Joshua is big, but that big?

[stujones]

Usyk wouldnt have been much smaller now than a prime Bruno...and the version who beat McCall would have been way too slow