Frank Bruno became a professional boxer in 1980 when he climbed up the heavyweight boxing championships by winning 20 uninterrupted knockouts. Since then, his career was marked by several other victories. The journey to stardom was halted once by the American James Bonecrusher Smith; this after a tremendous resistance offered by Frank Bruno. After this Bruno’s career again took an upswing until 1989.Bruno was unquestionably Britain’s one of the most admired and well-liked sporting figure in the 1980’s. In his professional career, he was ready to take on Mike Tyson in 1989. He challenged Mike Tyson for the World Heavyweight title. Frank Bruno was an experienced professional boxer by this time. Mike Tyson was the American Heavyweight boxer and in 1986, he had become the youngest ever to win a world title at that echelon. He had attained the repute of being the most unkind and malicious individual in the heavyweight boxing.
In February 1989, Mike Tyson, age 22 and weight 218 lbs, was pitched against Frank Bruno, age 27, weight 228 lbs and a heavyweight champion. On that night in Las Vegas, a new era had begun in boxing. The championship was held in Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, USA and it was an emotional evening for the Britons. The referee for the fight was Richard Steele while it was judged by Jerry Roth, Omar Minton and Rodolfo Maldonado.
Primarily, Bruno displayed confidence whereas Tyson looked nervous. However, when the fight started, Bruno was down in the first round. He was also penalized one point for holding in round one. Bruno shook Mike Tyson in round one but his nose bled after a hook from Tyson. This was the first time ever, Tyson wobbled. Tyson was coming heavily on Bruno with his punches. The enigma and untouchable seniority of Frank Bruno was about to get shattered. In the fourth round, Tyson was warned for a head butt. Tyson went ahead and attacked Bruno with severe blows that resulted in two right upper cuts and a left to the head. This onslaught left him on the ropes and referee Steele had to stop it. Mike Tyson had the load of history in his punches when he began hurling dreadful hooks on the head of Frank Bruno that Saturday night. Round five was the final blow and Bruno was defeated.
After the defeat, Bruno showed a respectful retreat. He appreciated Mike Tyson’s capability but was optimistic that he would regain the title and defeat Tyson. Bruno had superior aggression than any of the contemporary boxers of his time. He had the ability to think and implement laboriously in the ring and this quality distinguished him from others. This characteristic helped him win other titles in the coming years.
For Bruno, it was not the allure of money but it was an unpretentious dream of triumph and an honest desire to be the world champion that steered him to make such hurtful sacrifices at the ring at Hilton, Vegas. |
