Frank Bruno faced some of the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division during his era, but one sticks in his mind more than most.
Bruno is a much-loved British boxing legend. He famously had four shots at the world heavyweight title and in his last attempt in 1995, finally got the win he and his supporters craved so much when he beat Oliver McCall on points at Wembley Stadium.
He had previously faced Mike Tyson in 1989, Lennox Lewis in 1993, and initially Tim Witherspoon in 1986 but was stopped in all three of those title fights.
In between, he racked up solid wins against the likes of Joe Bugner and Carl Williams, but speaking to The Ring Magazine, Bruno explained who had the best chin that he ever faced.
“Oliver McCall [had the best chin.] He never got put down or knocked out as far as I know. I hit him with a few and he stayed up; a tough guy. I just could not understand how he took some of my punches without a minor flinch.”
When they fought for the WBC belt, McCall was unable to find a way through Bruno’s defences, but was only the second man that the Brit beat who took him the full 12 rounds.
Bruno fought once more before retiring in 1996 and it was a rematch with ‘Iron Mike,’ who stopped him inside three rounds.
McCall is now 60 years of age and fought as recently as June last year to take his total to 78 fights and 61 wins.
