The Punch That Shook Tyson… The Bodybuilder with a Killshot – the True Story of Frank Bruno

you before the likes of Daniel DuBois and Anthony Joshua there were British fighters who put the nation on the global boxing map one name that shines brightly is the legendary Frank Bruno Bruno was once the pride of British boxing fans captivating them not just with his explosive knockout power that electrified Arenas but also with his humility and Charisma outside the ring I love people I'm I'm not aell that's all I said during his career he scored 38 Knockouts and 40 wins and stepped into the ring with boxing greats like Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson living

to tell the tale this is Frank Bruno Frank Bruno was born in Hammersmith London in 1961 as a child he was labeled a troublemaker and often had to change schools due to his tendency to get into conflicts when he was going to school I can assure you that every every day you would get a phone call from school that Franklin is in a fight eventually Bruno found a source to channel his inner aggression as he began boxing at the age of nine at Wandsworth boys club in London Frank [Music] Bruno as an amateur boxer he

amassed a 20 to1 record becoming the youngest ever amateur British champion at just 18 years of age in the process in the year 19 1981 Bruno became a professional fighter punches Bruno taking a long look at him while he was waiting in the new corner there down on that one that's the right hand again and this is what the still in the first round remember Bruno setting him up with the left jab there down he goes again oh that punch seem to land across the top of the head Frank strengths were his power he had

uh massive right hand that could knock anybody out and Stenson fing up on the middle rope Andes out he would go on an impressive knockout streak crushing his first 21 opponents good good punches left on the right in the first round he's and so Bruno marks up win I'm going to be the world champion and I think if by the time I'm 25 I think I should be the world champion by the time I'm 25 you now Bruno's rise to stardom was meteoric and his knockout power quickly made him a feared contender in the heavyweight

Division I realized that laus had a you know a lot of work to do with him in the gym but obviously the potential was there and that defeat seems to have sicken of the game and that so do you imagine the punch bag is a person yeah the man's trying to stop you from making your living and what sort of combination is she trying to well very each Victory solidified his reputation as one of Britain's brightest boxing prospects with fans eagerly awaiting his next fight in about 6 years time I hope to be a heavyweight

champion of the world not being bosy or Flash or nothing like that but it's a rocky road the boxing game and Anything could happen you know just keep the fingers crossed and keep training hard I got you from my side so I'll just keep training on and keep working and hopefully I'll get there one day neon a big man but crouching over and take him with a right hand his devastating punches became his signature and it seemed like no one could stand up to him taking everything out but as his fan grew so did the

level of competition to withstand the Bruno assault can the big American survive it he's got it oh he's got him right this time and I don't think Sand's going to make this however in May 1984 Bruno streak met its match in the American fighter James Bon chrusher [Applause] Smith 6' quite a slipp Rec custom [Applause] despite leading on all three J's scorecards Bone Crusher got the better of Bruno in the 10th and Final Round knocking him out and he doesn't know where he ising coming on Bruno Bruno looks out on his defeat I got beat

I got beat you know a lot of people might be laughing out there glad he got got I think glad he got his you know what I mean backside kick but you know I'll be back s [Applause] fora after tasting defeat for the first time in his career Bruno used the sting of that loss to fuel his next fights he went on to win six in a row around the ring quite Snapp at the moment and he's heard Rodriguez Bruno could be on the edge of Victory here he's got him again with the right and

second that's a good punch left underne on March 4th 1986 Bruno faced former WBA Champion Jerry cuty of South Africa in a fight that would boost his title chances Bruno the fight didn't make it past the first round one punch from either side could end this just one minute and 50 seconds in Bruno sent cuty crashing to the canvas and the T right him perhaps hit as hard as he's ever been [Applause] hit Bruno must get careless coulds a right hand and another surely he can't get it over inside a r he's got him again

he won't get up from that he's stretched out with this win Bruno earned a title shot against WBA world champion Tim Witherspoon I think that he's a real good fighter and and he deserve credit that he deserves so I'll give him something round Witherspoon had already established himself as a formidable force in boxing becoming a two-time world champion by winning the WBC heavyweight title in 1984 and the WBA heavyweight title in 1986 what do you what do you think English called nice gu what we got no and I'll Rec continue his career if not out

he says he's going to beat you yeah one of them decid they going to beat me I one succeeded that is B smid he can say what he wants to say because I'm not in it really being like he don't get paid to S people down pight people up or whatever but if he's going to beat me why does he need 25 people to come and boost him up in his first title fight Bruno knew he had to bring his aame but I think I'm the best in the world and I'm not about to let

anybody take my Bel front well I can say please polish it up that polish it up though both Fighters were regarded for their impressive knockout power the fight became a largely tactical affair see that that's what commentator in the early rounds Bruno displayed remarkable sharpness matching wither spoon's intensity blow for [Applause] blow farting away well Bruno can keep long range the however as the rounds wore on so did Bruno's stamina dictated jabbing away with the left hand been shter than with SP a little bit more tried to P him on the end of the job

putting on weight like [Applause] that Witherspoon smelled blood and seized the moment ending it all in the 11th round off on the top of the head the left hook is starting to go to pieces in the corner and he's breaking up a bit now he's hitting him while he's down he's got to get him up Bruno coming off a tough loss against Witherspoon did not stay down for long FL did well to to keep it last has a lot of good men that's quite a bit of damage Bruno has wed there on the face of

Tillis tillis's mouth and no bleeding bad and he's hurt in the and he might be going a clean shot at him just tell Frank what you were telling me down there in the commentary about his performance I thought he did a tremendous performance Frank I commend you he's a spoiler you came out very well your punch as I thought as a boxer point of view knowing your layoff it was tremendous accurate and I'm very impressed and I look forward to meeting you in the future he picked himself up dusted himself off and stormed back with

three consecutive [Applause] victories nowhere else can get him except the top of his by October 1987 Bruno was ready for an all British Showdown against veteran fighter Joe bumer bugner although past his prime was no pushover he was fresh off impressive wins over the likes of Greg pige James Tillis and David Bay Just sh [Applause] bit to exploit one thing always the fight was electric as Bruno gradually took control7 doesn't want to dry out most important punes in this BR all the words coming his way and too much we covered those fights well the difference

was re those were fighter slightly over the hell's cage because he was always bra in the eighth round the crowd watched as Bruno Unleashed a powerful Onslaught forcing the referee to step in and stop the B that jab like that coming at if you look at his opponents over and he's down he clapped him with the right hand and he's he won't go down buner at that point he didn't even play nine and he's got let him box surely now the towel has come in from the Australian's Corner Bruno's impressive run had earned him another

title shot this time against the man feared by all other [Music] heavyweights what's that these are my championship belts that's the WBC one yes yeah look at that fantastic that's terrific in February 1989 Bruno stepped into the ring for the fight of his life challenging the Unstoppable Mike Tyson for the Undisputed world heavyweight title Don King is trying to make Mike Tyson out to be Superman but I got crit tonight to beat him thank you very much at this point Bruno was 5 years older than Tyson yet despite this Tyson had already achieved far more

in the boxing world with a Flawless 35 to zero record and 31 Knockouts he had become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at just 20 years old and went on to un the WBC WBA and ibf titles oh Tyson this I am might this I that you don't realize that the guy had a a car crash he damaged his hand he broke up with his wife all his mind is not on the game on this fight his mind not not conditioned for this fight and I was confident before all this happened and I think this

is a peak time to beat a mik Ty and Harry no I really do believe so many people didn't see Bruno as a real threat to Ty but Bruno did not let that bother him from the opening Bill Tyson's aggression was clear as he charged at Bruno knocking him down within the first few seconds of the figh that he's not afraid hanging on Bruno's already tagged with the right hand and there goes Bruno Bruno got back up but in that moment it was clear to him that Tyson was unlike any man he had ever faced

clear but he knows the power Bruno has all the pride of England standing for him he get tagged by right hand Relentless Bruno fought on and nearly shocked the world toward the end of the first round he rocked Tyson achieving what no other fighter had managed to do and there's the right hand that CAU Tyson the left Tyson looks wly as he attacks Tyson was caught and looks clear but he was caught by a shot the crowd Roar sensing history in the making Tyson however quickly regained his footing and control showcasing the tenacity that made

him the most feared fighter in the world to [Music] that and the chant from the which made us all think well that's what going to happen as the rounds wore on Tyson became the clear aggressor launching hard shots at Bruno left hook to the body Tyson misses wild Bruno had no choice but to hold him attempting to neutralize The Brute Force that was what he Bruno trying to keep him off Tyson continued to land heavy punches but Bruno held his ground was just kind of a stand up guy almost the idea it's a question of

after Bruno briefly stunned him in the first round Tyson had remained in full control and it seemed like it was only a matter of time before Tyson's Relentless barrage proved too much [Applause] right hand more and try to catch Tyson with the left hook that light oh another right the end came in the fifth round with just a minute left on the clock Tyson Unleashed a Relentless assault about 8 or ,000 at the hitel Bruno was CAU that time and Tyson knows it Tyson trying to attack now to finish him off Bruno fought hard to

remain on his feet but after a punishing Flurry of Blows the referee decided he had seen enough tyon knows he's got him in big trouble if he doesn't answer it Ste even after losing his second title fight to Tyson Bruno didn't back down for him it was all or nothing Michael Tyson a fth round [Applause] TKO it came at 255 as un official will get that official [Music] proud weren't intimidated at all Frank that one little bit more intimidated by you good luck everyone expected Frank's moment of Glory to be over after that but the

loss only made the public love him even more Frank left the ring but there's no way he's a loser because he has got the support that Mike Tyson will never have because people don't truly love him and they love frank if Tyson walked out that ring the loser he'd have nobody cuz he hasn't got what Frank's got Frank's got a family that adore him and he's never a loser to us cuz he's our he's our Frank fans were ready to carry him on their shoulders and all of Britain was proud of Frank Bruno but that's

not what he wanted he wanted the title when he went off the rails I mean it was you know it was it was very sad and I know that definitely definitely affected him mentally he had dedicated 15 years of his life to training for a victory but as long as Mike Tyson was Champion Bruno's dreams seemed nearly impossible to [Music] reach after taking a two-year break from boxing Frank Bruno returned to the ring stronger than ever during this time he focused on his personal life marrying Laura Mooney in 1990 it was a significant period for

him not only for rest but also for building family bonds Laura became more than just his wife she played a key role in his career stepping in as his manager and helping guide his next [Applause] steps he stepped back into the ring with strong Focus winning fight after fight and keeping his place among the world's top [Music] heavyweights each Victory a reminder that he wasn't finished yet he was on a mission inching closer to the Ultimate Prize and that's a better punch that hurt him at last Bruno got to a punch it Hur him he's

come out pushing back November 1984 a 10 rounder against a man round and he's got in 1993 Bruno earned a third shot at the world title this time facing Lennox Lewis who was making the second defense of his belt and what would be the first of his three Championship Reigns very very confident very relaxed very chilled mate very relaxed you can see who the fans are going for tonight and I'm very chilled very relaxed last Mage for I'm going to knock him out so hard he's got paid to get back in I said it before

I'm going to say again this bout was historic the first time two British boxers clashed for the world heavyweight title the fight Drew fans from all over the UK he said he's going to hit you so hard he's going to send you back to Canada very not a very nice thing to say but well he's trying to scare me but I can't be faded I think the the main thing is if I'm there to get hit then he'll hit me but I'm not there going to I'm not going to be there to get hit a

better move of the two in the early rounds the fight seemed to tilt in Bruno's favor as he was the more active fighter inside from Bruno [Applause] that Lewis had his moments but Bruno was prepared to respond experience on his side well he's certainly trained Lewis needing to just starting the round very fast getting no success because he's using his strength he's forcing a fight and he's using a very good jab each round fast [Applause] but oh that's good from Lewis too however just when it seemed Bruno was on the verge of a massive Victory

Lewis expertly picked him up part with a dangerous combination that sealed the deal look at Bruno here coming the left hook catches him and Bruno was hurt by that and Bruno is in trouble Bruno is in big trouble B moments for Frank Bruno right up a cut and I think Micky F's going to stop it prous incident in the fight I thought for a moment there he was stopping that right upper cut Le here and Bruno is on the verge of going he won't take a lot more in this time another fight another title opportunity

slipped through his fingers Bruno regrouped adding more winds under his belt he emphatically crushed Tony Ferguson in the first [Music] roundo two rounds to get rid of Ferguson Bruno went back to his old training horn that's coming from Bruno and big Jesse is looking a little unsteady on his PCH oh my word he's not going to go a lump coming up at the side of his left eye second then came a ruthless knockout of Rolph o [Applause] Marin and when he faced Mike Evans he finished him with Fierce Precision says he might do the same

tonight late substitute Ray Anis good right to the body Evans is still there somehow H left hook that's the third knock down with a sheer display of dominance Bruno got another chance at the world championship well Frank congratulations good job well done and a little bit longer than the last two very very much longer I think it added up to the amount than last two lastly but I'm glad to get that one out of the way because I got well TI fight um in July if you know I mean in either Wy or London somewhere

and it's nice get that wife went out the way no cuts no cut eyes or Buffy hands you know at this point he teamed up with Frank Warren as his career neared its final stage Warren who was working with American promoter Don King arranged one last title shot for Bruno please welcome making his way to the Ring The Challenger Britain's Frank buruno September 2nd 1995 Bruno stepped into the ring against WBC champion Oliver McCall in front of his home crowd fueled by years of dedication and the desire to finally claim the title that had eluded

him for so [Applause] long this corner almost the fight began with both men trading blows each testing the others [Applause] defenses what [Applause] ches driven by years of determination and past heartbreaks Bruno brought Relentless focus and power to the ring outboxing the defending Champion round after round [Applause] however as the fight wore on Bruno began to show signs of fatigue the British fans held their breath memories of previous disappointments against Tyson and Witherspoon flooded back as they watched on despite his exhaustion Bruno stood firm [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] Bruno had done it he had outpointed

McCall over 12 drooling rounds to finally become a world [Applause] champion fulfilling a dream he had fought for over a decade joy and relief washed over the Brit marking the biggest Moment In His Story by Bo in career what was a fantastic performance has it sunk in yet you're the World Heavyweight Champion hasn't sunk in this yet but I'm just thank God I I I want you know got this it's like a dream come true he was crying after the fight he couldn't believe it himself he just could not believe that he you know finally

got that belt strapped around was thank you for thank ju and thank you for Don King and thank all the people staying behind me and you know mean persevering and thinking we would be back cheers you're very emot his Joy wouldn't last for long an old Nemesis was lurking in the shadows after defeating Bruno in their first encounter Tyson went on to defend his title against Carl Williams before facing a shocking defeat to Buster deblas following this title loss Tyson was convicted of rape and served 3 years in prison finally being released relased in 1995

now fresh out of prison and carrying the weight of his past troubles Tyson was looking to reclaim his Spotlight and the man standing in his way was none other than Frank Bruno I can't really tell you how he's going to Quick face fast face slow PA tell I'm going to win I I'm going to knock him out right into donkey hey only in America yeah I mean quite simple during the time leading up to their last fight Bruno had grown as a fighter with more experience and Polished skills call Cook I'm going to win and

I'm going to knock him out you know I mean don't I've been away for too long I waited two about 16 years to get in this position where I am you know what I mean and boy he' have to kill me to beat me that night man he'll have to murder me I'm telling that you have to to not you have to kill me however the eye issues that had troubled Frank since their first fight were bound to affect him in truth he shouldn't have even stepped into the ring yet despite the worsening condition Bruno

chose to fight interestingly the pre-fight medical examination failed to detect the full extent of the damage to his eye there's not much I could say but I beat him once and I beat him before and I beat him again thank you however this wasn't the same Tyson he had previously faced this version of Tyson was an angry Beast waiting to be Unleashed walking into the ring with a blank expression on his face Tyson looked emotionless in contrast Bruno appeared visibly nervous as if he knew what he was stepping into Frank Bruno with the bodybuilder physique

27 lb heavier almost 4 in taller huge reach advantage and here we go round anybody or anything but Mike Tyson is a Phenom once again Tyson attacked his opponent with non-stop [Music] aggression head offo with the questionable chair he does not like to fight on the inside generally but he's learned a hold on which he did with Tyson people and by the end of the first round Bruno's ey had been busted open was a nice effort and anytime oh here comes Tyson Tyson with a combination you can't fix a chin that was never great to

begin with a left hook by Tyson but bro as Tyson continued to deliver a beat down Bruno tried to slow his momentum by holding just as he had done in their first fight but again it wouldn't stop the inevitable to take control any he gets close put any efforts toward punching if he's just worried about holding did not react as badly as he did to the Jitters he may be settling in halfway through the second acad less than a minute remaining in round and that's saying something for 247 pound the fight wouldn't go past the

third round and this is what Bruto expected he said he's not looking for the Tyson ofilia mats here's a combination uppercut by Tyson Tyson Ling on coring on down goes bro into the [Music] ropes and it is all over it is all over here at round three mik what will you do now Frank I mean people will say well is that the end of the Bruno story or what I bet a good time in my life and at the moment I want to S like just sit there I don't want to make no haste haste

decision and make a foood of myself this would be Bruno's final fight in the boxing ring despite a career filled with ups and downs Frank Bruno is one of the most beloved fighters of his era alongside his boxing career he showcased his personality on television which only endeared him to fans more however the second loss to Tyson marked a turning point not just in Bruno's career but in his life it was more than just a defeat it took a significant toll on his mental [Music] health when I saw him again Frank had in fight total

Ral Detachment he had further surgery which was able to reattach the retina but because of the nature of the injury the center part of the Orion has unfortunately been irreversibly damaged I had to tell him first fir L and finally that that was it following the loss Bruno struggled becoming nearly unrecognizable to family and friends his undiagnosed bipolar disorder fueled the problems leading to a dark period of substance abuse I heard he was smoking a lot of lot of [ __ ] I heard he was uh putting putting some stuff up his nose as well

and uh it was just you know crazy I mean you know what was going on here they was telling me I had all different things I was acting very very strange but I wouldn't really didn't listen to him you know what I mean didn't listen to him at all you know I was supposed to take some tablets but I didn't take him I started taking them but after a while I just carried on training doing whatever I got to do carrying on in my life and I didn't really realize how what about the manic depression

was you know I didn't even understand eventually Bruno S to help he needed turning his life around he dedicated himself to mental health advocacy sharing his story to help others facing similar struggles today Bruno is a healthy man and continues to inspire others through his work in raising mental health [Music] awareness Bruno's career while not as decorated as that of Mike Tyson or Linux Lewis left a lasting mark on boxing history especially in the UK with an impressive knockout percentage of 84% he held one of the highest knockout ratios in British boxing but it wasn't

just his success in the ring that made him a fan favorite his humble and charismatic nature endeared him to boxing fans and the media alike Bruno's Legacy endures as he remains a symbol of grit determination and genuine character whose contributions to the sport is remembered with admiration to this day [Music]