For Frank Bruno, one boxer from history stands alone as the best to ever do it.
Ask many people, and heavyweight star Bruno would come high up a list of great British boxers. After turning professional in 1982, he built a reputation for power by winning 38 of his 45 fights by knockout.
Bruno famously challenged for the world heavyweight title three times, first losing to Tim Witherspoon in 1986, then to Mike Tyson in 1989 and then to his fellow Brit Lennox Lewis in 1993.
He headed out to America one last time to try and defend the title against ‘Iron Mike’ but was again knocked out and so went into retirement in 1996, later becoming a prominent mental health advocate.
Speaking to the Metro, he did not hesitate to lavish praise on who he thinks is the greatest to ever lace up the gloves.
“Muhammad Ali was the whole package. He had amazing ability, he had the looks and he had that irresistible character. Everyone wanted to watch him in the ring and everyone wanted to listen to him when he was out of it.
“He was not just a fantastic sportsman, he was a cultural icon. My favourite [fight] was the Rumble in the Jungle when he beat George Foreman, who had just destroyed Frazier. That was breathtaking. Ali was my inspiration. I’ll never forget meeting him. I cherish the photos and autographs from that day.”
Ali was the undisputed champion from 1974 to 1978 and is widely seen as one of the most influential sports figures of the 20th Century. Bruno is, therefore, not alone in his assessment, with countless modern fighters still regarding the heavyweight as boxing’s greatest.
