Frank Bruno
Frank Bruno was born in London on the 16th November 1961, weighing in at nine pounds. Frank was the youngest of six, two brothers and three sisters. He went to school at Oak Hall in Sussex, where represented Sussex schools at football and athletics. Frank first started boxing when he was nine, boxing at the Wandsworth Boys Club and won an NABC title on a walk-over. As an amateur Frank boxed for the Sir Philip Game Amateur Boxing Club and represented Young England, Frank had a record of 21 fights with 20 victories. At the age of 18 he became the youngest ever ABA heavyweight champion, the only blemish on his record was inflicted by Irish international Joe Christie, which he later avenged.
Frank turned professional in 1980 and soon impressed the boxing press and the British public alike after running up 20 consecutive victories by knockout. Frank’s winning streak came to an end against James “Bonecrusher” Smith when Frank, who was leading the fight on all the judges’ scorecards, was caught in the final round and knocked-out. The ambition to be World Heavyweight Champion drove Frank on and after a number of notable victories he fought for his first World Title against Tim Witherspoon for the WBA World Heavyweight in July 1986, and as in Frank’s only previous defeat he was leading on all the judges scorecards when he was knocked-out in the eleventh round.
Frank’s next attempt for the World Title was against Mike Tyson in 1989 for the unified world heavyweight title. Tyson knocked Frank out in the 5th round, but not before feeling the full force of Frank’s punching power. Frank’s next challenge for a World Title was against Lennox Lewis in 1993 and as in Frank’s previous attempts it ended in defeat with a seventh round knockout. Frank’s desire to be World champion kept him focused and in1995 he got his fourth chance for the World Heavyweight title when he fought Oliver McCall in an emotionally charged evening at Wembley Stadium. McCall had beaten Lennox Lewis in London and then went on to defeat Larry Holmes and now challenged Frank in Frank’s own backyard. Wembley stadium was packed, and the TV audience is still one of the largest ever to watch a sporting event in Great Britain and after twelve exhilarating rounds Frank was declared the winner on points and became the WBA Heavyweight Champion of the World and in the British publics hearts and minds their favourite British sportsman. Frank went on to defend his title just the once against Mike Tyson which ended in Frank’s defeat.
Since retiring from the ring Frank has been able to build on his popularity and featured in many television projects and pantomime. Frank is available for personal appearances, corporate days, media projects and DJ appearances.