Frank Bruno is one of the most popular British heavyweights of all time, having fought some of the best names of his generation as well as crowning his storied career by being winning the WBC world championship in 1995.
Of all Bruno’s opponents, by far the two most recognisable fighters are Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, who are both regarded as amongst the greatest heavyweights of all time.
And on a recent edition of Anything Goes With James English, Bruno explained why, for his money, ‘Iron Mike’ was a more formidable foe than Lewis.
“I think Tyson [was the tougher opponent]. He was very awkward and very difficult to catch. I think Tyson was on the slide and was partying too hard when Lennox Lewis got him.”
“If you go back and watch DVDs of Mike Tyson when he was in his prime, the people he knocked out when he was so young.”
“I don’t think another heavyweight will come on this earth who will be as short and as dangerous as that man.”
“I’ve got to give him respect, because he was a dangerous hombre.”
Bruno actually shared the ring with Tyson twice, in 1989 and 1996, and was stopped before the halfway stage on both occasions.
He lasted slightly longer against Lewis when they clashed in Cardiff in 1993, however ultimately was subjected to a a knockout loss in the seventh round.
Frank hung up the gloves after his second defeat to Tyson, with a professional record 40 wins and 5 defeats and, even more importantly, the eternal adulation of British fight fans.