Frank Bruno had the pleasure – or displeasure depending on how you look at it – of sharing the ring with two heavyweight greats in Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson.
The fan-favourite Brit, who won a world title at the fourth time of asking, first challenged for top honours against Tyson in Las Vegas back in 1989 but would be knocked out in five rounds.
His next crack at a belt came four years later in the Battle of Britain with Lewis. The reigning WBC Champion won by seventh round stoppage. Bruno went on to beat Oliver McCall for the title in 94 before rematching Tyson and losing in three. He would announce his retirement after that bout.
Speaking on the James English podcast, he said that ‘Iron’ Mike was the tougher opponent despite Lewis being considered by most to be the better of the two.
“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.”
Their grit and skills were put to the test when Tyson and Lewis faced off in 2002. It was back-and-forth to begin with, but Lewis’ range and composure took over as the rounds went on and he would finish proceedings in the eighth round.
