Lennox Lewis defeated Frank Bruno in ‘The Battle of Britain’ in 1993.
It was Bruno’s third world title shot and third that would be unsuccessful, with Lewis breaking the challenger down before stopping him in the seventh.
Two fights later, ‘The Lion’ was relieved of his WBC heavyweight belt in a shock knockout loss to Oliver McCall. Whilst Lewis and Bruno both faced the ferocious Mike Tyson, it is that man that they recognise as having the best chin.
Lewis told The Ring Magazine that McCall – one of only two men to beat him – had ‘cracking reflexes.’
“Oliver McCall. There is no doubt. He was Mike Tyson’s sparring partner for years and had cracking reflexes.”
Bruno, when ranking his own opponents, agreed.
“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.”
The crowning glory of McCall’s career was that 1994 stoppage victory over Lewis at Wembley Arena. With it came the WBC Heavyweight World title, which he successfully retained in his next bout by beating Larry Holmes on points.
He would lose it to Bruno in his attempted second defence, this time at Wembley Stadium, being defeated over the distance as Bruno pointed out it seemed impossible to hurt him.
McCall, who was born in Chicago, then got another shot at his former title in the Lewis rematch, but suffered a breakdown mid-fight, crying and refusing to fight before the halfway stage forcing the referee to call a halt to the fight.
Out of 14 total losses it would be his only by way of stoppage, lending weight to the opinions of Lewis and Bruno that he was a notably tough competitor.
