Bruno feels that the competition in the heavyweight division

[Eric t]

The day Frank Bruno rocked Mike Tyson
Twenty years ago on Wednesday Franklyn Roy Bruno faced an unbeaten Mike Tyson at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas as challenger for the unified World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation heavyweight titles.


By Gareth A Davies
Last Updated: 8:47PM GMT 23 Feb 2009
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The day Frank Bruno rocked Mike Tyson
Pulling no punches: Frank Bruno is still coming to terms with retirement Photo: RUSSELL CHEYNE
The day Frank Bruno rocked Mike Tyson
Taking the hits: Frank Bruno loses to Mike Tyson in Las Vegas 20 years ago Photo: AP

The nation watched one of Britain's most popular sports stars face the fearsome American who seemed invincible, having taken the world heavyweight title at the age of 20, and was making his eighth defence against the Briton.

And for one fleeting moment, Bruno sensed a famous victory. "When I actually caught Mike Tyson and he started rocking [in the first round] I thought for a minute that possibly we had him," Bruno said. "But he came back much stronger and I certainly knew about it when he started hitting me. The hurt – not only physically, but psychologically – of losing that fight is difficult to make people understand."

Most boxing fans will recall the excited commentary of Harry Carpenter, when, after Bruno was knocked down by Tyson in the first round, he rocked the champion with that left hook. But Tyson recovered and the fight was stopped in round five, with the British boxer taking heavy punishment on the ropes.

Standing 6ft 3in, weighing 247lb (17.6st) and with a huge, chiselled physique, which he still possesses today at the age of 47, Bruno finished with a career record of 40 wins against five defeats. He lost world-title fights to Tyson (twice), Lennox Lewis, Tim Witherspoon and James 'Bonecrusher' Smith, but in September 1995 reached his career goal, when promoted by allegedly, he defeated Oliver McCall on points at Wembley Stadium to become the WBC champion.

Today, Bruno is looking forward, having had his share of knocks in the last six years, and is reluctant to dwell on the low points of his life.

He feels that the competition in the heavyweight division today is nowhere the level it was in his day, and he would like to see Britain's leading contender, David Haye, have a few more fights – having stepped up from being world cruiserweight champion – before he fights the likes of the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, who between them, share three of the world titles.

It appears that may be inevitable after talks between Haye's camp and the Klitschkos broke down early last week.

"The experience of the extra few fights before the Klitschko one would probably help David Haye in the long run," explained Bruno, who retired from boxing in August 1996, after losing to Tyson for the second time. He was told by his trainer, George Francis, that when he gave up boxing it would be "the toughest fight" he would ever have.

Bruno's memories of that night, Feb 25, 1989, and the build-up to the fight against Tyson, will stay with him forever. More than 5,000 British fans had travelled. "I remember that fight very well. One minute it was in England, and then it was going to be in Vegas.

"The venue, from memory, kept changing. As I look back, it doesn't seem 20 years ago. It was a very exciting night, but disappointing with the result that we eventually got. However, that's how the cookie crumbles in boxing.

"It was being portrayed by the media as a 'Britain v America' contest – really just to gee up everybody in supporting me. When walking into the ring, although the noise was deafening, I shut it out and was totally focused on getting to the ring and the fight.

"However, during the weigh-in and the training all I met were the British fans, which reminded me of the support that I was getting back home. Going into a ring with the likes of Mike Tyson, I had to be totally focused on the fight."

Bruno is still as popular as ever. Apart from his many after-dinner appearances, his varied work requests have included making people aware in a publicity campaign concerning mental health issues for the NHS, having fully recovered from his personal issues.

In 2003, Bruno, who had been suffering from depression, was sectioned under the Mental Health Act and treated at a psychiatric hospital.

He recently went on a theatre tour with Ricky Hatton, and enjoyed repartee with the light-welterweight from Manchester. Bruno said: "Nowadays I'm keeping really busy. I still get invitations from all over Europe to speak at dinners and it's an honour that promoters and charities can use me to create income. I have recently got my own website, www.frankbruno.co.uk, which gives me perhaps a more personal touch with the fans."

David Davies, Bruno's agent, explained: "We still have many, many requests that come through for Frank. When he's not working he spends lots of time in the gym, taking advantage of the services of the local health club. Working out is part of his relaxation.

"Frank has got the advantage of being a British former world champion, and is loved by sports fans and non-boxing fans. I am asked almost daily, 'How is Frank now?' Frank is fine. There is nothing wrong with him – he is totally focused on what he is doing in his life and works very hard.

"The amount of work he is getting reflects that. He is still as popular as ever, and given the person he is, that will never change."

[Hagler2002]

I thought the more memorable fight was his performance against Lewis, he had the beating of Lennox that night until he inevitably hung his chin out.

[Eric t]

He feels that the competition in the heavyweight division today is nowhere the level it was in his day, and he would like to see Britain's leading contender, David Haye, have a few more fights – having stepped up from being world cruiserweight champion – before he fights the likes of the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, who between them, share three of the world titles.9

Every generation says they are better than the next, there wasn't much good competition apart from tyson and a few others in franks day, i think wlad is a excellent boxer, his speed and style reminds me of mundine when he puts his punches together, he looks like a world beater. Vitali ain't bad either, povetkin is good and so is chagaev.

[Neil Jones Jnr]

He feels that the competition in the heavyweight division today is nowhere the level it was in his day, and he would like to see Britain's leading contender, David Haye, have a few more fights – having stepped up from being world cruiserweight champion – before he fights the likes of the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, who between them, share three of the world titles.9

Every generation says they are better than the next, there wasn't much good competition apart from tyson and a few others in franks day, i think wlad is a excellent boxer, his speed and style reminds me of mundine when he puts his punches together, he looks like a world beater. Vitali ain't bad either, povetkin is good and so is chagaev.

Only took you eight posts to slip Mundine in LOL

What is happening with Mundine now Eric? Sturm has a fight lined up, is he going to fight Green in the meantime? Personally I understand that the Green fight makes huge money there, I just hope he fights a real champ after that.

Eric are you not a bit worried about Mundine going up to 175 for the green fight and then having to drop to 160 for a sturm fight?

Hopkins was saying how good he was the other day.

I like Mundine, I still think he'll fall short at top level, but he does have skills.

Cheers

N

[Hagler2002]

So you rate Wlad over Vitali are you mad

[Eric t]

He feels that the competition in the heavyweight division today is nowhere the level it was in his day, and he would like to see Britain's leading contender, David Haye, have a few more fights – having stepped up from being world cruiserweight champion – before he fights the likes of the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, who between them, share three of the world titles.9

Every generation says they are better than the next, there wasn't much good competition apart from tyson and a few others in franks day, i think wlad is a excellent boxer, his speed and style reminds me of mundine when he puts his punches together, he looks like a world beater. Vitali ain't bad either, povetkin is good and so is chagaev.

Only took you eight posts to slip Mundine in LOL

What is happening with Mundine now Eric? Sturm has a fight lined up, is he going to fight Green in the meantime? Personally I understand that the Green fight makes huge money there, I just hope he fights a real champ after that.

Eric are you not a bit worried about Mundine going up to 175 for the green fight and then having to drop to 160 for a sturm fight?

Hopkins was saying how good he was the other day.

I like Mundine, I still think he'll fall short at top level, but he does have skills.

Cheers

N

Last i read he wants to stay at middle, he said he wants to fight daniel geale, they're in talks.
Pavlik mentioned his name after he beat rubio so you never know that fight could happen next, he probably knows mundine brings a lot of cash to the table and is a good fighter.