Frank Bruno
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox boxer
Franklin Roy Horatio Bruno Template:Post-nominals (born 16 November 1961)<ref name="british"/> is a British former professional boxer who fought orthodox and competed from 1982 to 1996. He held the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title from 1995 to 1996. At the regional level, he held the European heavyweight title from 1985 to 1986. As an amateur, he won the ABA heavyweight title in 1980.
During his professional career, Bruno scored 40 wins and 5 losses, scoring 38 by knockouts, giving him a 95% knockout-to-win ratio; his overall knockout percentage was 84.44%. Bruno was ranked among BoxRec's 10 best heavyweights in the world twelve times, reaching his career-high ranking of world no. 3 at the conclusion of 1984.<ref name="boxrec"/>
Since retirement, Bruno became a television personality and entertainer; He was voted Sports Personality of the Year in 1989 and 1990.<ref name="live"/> He was awarded Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1990 New Years Honours List.<ref name="live"/>
Early life and amateur career
Bruno was born on 16 November 1961,<ref name="profile"/> in Hammersmith, London, England,<ref name="british"/> and was the youngest of six children.<ref name="profile">Template:Cite web</ref> He took up boxing aged 9 after joining the Wandsworth Boys Club.<ref name="live"/> He attended at Oak Hall Community School in Heathfield, East Sussex,<ref name="profile"/> and joined the Sir Philip Game Amateur Boxing Club.<ref name="profile"/> He won 20 out of his 21 fights as an amateur, the only defeat by Irish International, Joe Christie.<ref name="live"/> Bruno represented Young England at boxing, and achieved becoming the youngest ever ABA Heavyweight champion when he won the title in 1980 at the age of 18.<ref name="profile"/>
Professional career
Early career
Bruno's first fight a professional boxer was a win against Lupe Guerra in March 1982 at the Royal Albert Hall, London, which he won by knock-out.<ref name="british"/> He went on to achieve 21 consecutive wins by knockout.<ref name="martial"/> This streak caught the attention of international boxing magazines, such as The Ring, KO Magazine, Boxing Illustrated and Ring En Español.<ref name="british"/> During this period Bruno stopped former world title contender Scott LeDoux in May 1983,<ref name="martial"/> the fringe contender Floyd Cummings in Oct 1983,<ref name="martial"/> Belgian champion Rudy Gauwe,<ref name="martial"/> British contenders Tony Moore,<ref name="martial"/> and Eddie Nielson,<ref name="martial"/> and some strong journeymen such as Bill Sharkey,<ref name="martial"/> Walter Santemore and Ken Lakusta.<ref name="martial"/> However, in May 1984, that streak ended when Bruno was defeated by knockout in the tenth and final round of the bout, despite Bruno leading clearly on all three judges' cards, when losing to the up-and-coming future world heavyweight champion, American James "Bonecrusher" Smith.<ref name="martial"/>
European heavyweight title
To get a shot at the title, Bruno beat fringe fighter Jeff Jordan on 6 November 1984.<ref name="martial"/> Bruno was taken the distance for the first time in November 1984, by the useful world rated Phil Brown,<ref name="martial"/> He went on to fight former European champion and world title contender Lucien Rodriguez in March 1985, defeating him in one round.<ref name="martial"/> and Bruno became the EBU European Heavyweight Champion with a KO over Sweden's Anders Eklund, on 1 October 1985.<ref name="martial"/>
First World heavyweight title challenge
Bruno vs. Witherspoon
Template:Main Bruno got back into title contention with a quick one-round KO win over former WBA champion Gerrie Coetzee of South Africa,<ref name="martial"/> and, in July 1986, he challenged Tim Witherspoon for the WBA heavyweight title. After once again leading on the cards for most of the fight, he ran out of steam and was defeated by knockout in round eleven.<ref name="martial"/>
Bruno once again got himself back into title contention with wins over former contender James Tillis and journeymen Reggie Gross and Chuck Gardner.<ref name="martial"/> In October 1987, Bruno faced the veteran Joe Bugner in an all-British match-up.<ref name="martial"/> Bugner, although long past his peak, was coming off good wins over Greg Page, James Tillis and David Bey. Bruno won by TKO in the 8th round, the referee stopping the bout.<ref name="martial"/>
Second World heavyweight title challenge
Bruno vs. Tyson
Template:Main In February 1989, Bruno challenged Mike Tyson for the undisputed world heavyweight title. In the opening seconds, the fighters came together with huge punches, and Bruno was on the ropes.<ref name="tyson-1989">Template:Cite web</ref> However, he recovered and continued, then rocked Tyson with a left hook, in the final moments of the first round.<ref name="tyson-1989"/> However, Tyson recovered and eventually overpowered Bruno, who was taking heavy punishment on the ropes when the referee stopped the contest in round five.<ref name="tyson-1989"/>
Bruno kept winning fights, helping him to retain his spot as one of the world's leading heavyweights. He defeated journeymen such as Jose Ribalta, Pierre Coetzer, Dutchman Jan Emmen <ref name="martial"/> and then contender Carl Williams,.<ref name="martial"/>
Third World heavyweight title challenge
Bruno vs. Lewis
Template:Main In 1993, he had a third world title chance against Lennox Lewis, who was making the second defence of the belt (his first of three championship reigns). The Lennox Lewis vs. Frank Bruno fight was the first time that two British boxers had fought for the world heavyweight title.<ref name="lewis">Template:Cite news</ref> Bruno failed to secure his title chance after being shaken by Lewis in the seventh round, and despite Bruno leading the contest on points at that time, the fight was stopped by the referee in favour of Lewis.<ref name="lewis"/>
Bruno again regrouped, in his next fight dispatching Jesse Ferguson in one round,<ref name="martial"/> and fringe contenders Rodolfo Marin and Mike Evans early on, in his next two bouts.<ref name="martial"/>
WBC heavyweight champion
Bruno vs. McCall
Template:Main On 2 September 1995, Bruno finally became world champion by outpointing WBC Champion Oliver McCall over twelve rounds.<ref name="martial"/> After an even start, Bruno built up a strong lead in the middle rounds before appearing to run somewhat out of steam in the last couple. However, unlike Bonecrusher Smith and Tim Witherspoon earlier in Bruno's career, McCall was unable to find a way through Bruno's defences to force the late stoppage he needed. Bruno won unanimously on points, only the second time he had taken an opponent to the judges.<ref name="martial"/>
Bruno vs. Tyson II
Bruno's reign as champion was brief: the contract he signed to get McCall meant he had to face Mike Tyson in his first defence. Tyson beat Bruno on a stoppage in round three,<ref name="tyson2">Template:Cite web</ref> Bruno performed unusually poorly in what turned out to be his last bout as a professional due to the recurrence of an eye injury, originally caused during his first fight with Tyson, which had already necessitated experimental surgery to allow him to fight again after that defeat.<ref name= "tyson2"/>
Retirement
After the second Tyson fight, Bruno was advised not to fight again to avoid running the risk of causing any more damage to his eye, which could result in permanent blindness.<ref name="profile"/> He retired soon afterwards.
During his career, Bruno scored 40 wins and 5 losses.<ref name="british">Template:Cite web</ref> He won 38 by knockouts, giving him a 95% knockout-to-win ratio; his overall knockout percentage was 84.44%. Bruno was ranked among BoxRec's 10 best heavyweights in the world twelve times, reaching his career-high ranking of world no. 3 at the conclusion of 1984.<ref name="boxrec">Template:Cite web</ref>
He was awarded Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1990 New Years Honours List.<ref name="live"/>
Personal life
On 22 September 2003, Bruno was taken from his home near Brentwood in Essex by medical staff assisted by police officers, under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983. He was taken to Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford, where he underwent psychological and psychiatric tests.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He had been suffering from depression for several months beforehand. He was later diagnosed as having bipolar disorder.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 9 October 2005, Bruno admitted that cocaine use, which began in 2000, had contributed to his mental health problems.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Media coverage of Bruno's problems raised controversy, the principal accusations being gross intrusion and insensitivity. Particular criticism was aimed at The Sun, whose headline in the first editions the next day read "Bonkers Bruno Locked Up". Second editions retracted the headline and attempted to portray a more sympathetic attitude towards Bruno and mental health in general.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As an attempt at atonement, the paper established a charity fund for people suffering from mental illness, although some mental health charities condemned The SunTemplate:'s latter action that day as being grossly hypocritical in the light of the former. On 24 February 2008, Bruno offered his support to former footballer Paul Gascoigne, who on 21 February had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bruno also spoke on his own personal experiences in the mental health system at a conference run by Hari Sewell, on 22 June 2009.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bruno was sectioned again in 2012 and taken to St Andrew's Hospital in Northampton for five weeks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In December 2013, Bruno spoke to the Daily Mirror in support of their mental health campaign, stating: "Mental illness is a terrible thing to have to cope with but I've learnt it's a fight you can win if you live your life the right way".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In December 2005, Bruno announced that he was to become a father for the fourth time since finding new romance with old friend Yvonne Clydesdale.<ref name="50K"/> The couple, who first met five years previously at a health resort, began dating months after bumping into each other at a wine bar near his home. Yvonne gave birth to baby Freya on 10 May 2006. On 10 October 2006, Bruno and Clydesdale were jointly awarded £50,000 damages for libel against The People newspaper and publishers MGN in respect of false claims made about their relationship.<ref name="50K">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2006, Bruno published an autobiography Frank: Fighting Back. It won the Best Autobiography category of the British Sports Book Awards. As of May 2012, Bruno was living in Glasgow with his new hairdresser girlfriend, Nina Coletta in the Gorbals area of the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
After retirement from boxing, Bruno has spent much of his time supporting The Frank Bruno Foundation, dedicated to improving the mental health of men around the world.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2025, his daughter Rachel appeared as a contender in the second series of Gladiators, citing her father's sporting success as being the inspiration for her participating.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Media appearances and non-boxing interests
Bruno's image was enhanced by his relationship with the BBC boxing commentator Harry Carpenter, from which, in their many interviews, his most-quoted phrase, "Know what I mean, Harry?" originated. He appeared on Comic Relief programmes in the early 1980s and made frequent appearances thereafter on television and on stage (in pantomime).<ref name="live">Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1991, he opened "The Ultimate" at Lightwater Valley, which was, at the time, the longest roller coaster in the world.<ref name="ultimate">Template:Cite news</ref> In 1995, the year of his world championship, he released a cover version of "Eye of the Tiger".<ref name="tiger">Template:Cite news</ref> It reached No. 28 in the UK charts. In 1999, he featured on the celebrity special in the second season of Fort Boyard.<ref name="fort">Template:Cite news</ref>
In January 2001, prior to that year's general election, Bruno announced that he wanted to stand as the Conservative candidate for the Conservative seat of Brentwood and Ongar against the independent Member of Parliament, Martin Bell.<ref name="plank"/> His proposed slogan was "Don't be a plank, vote for Frank!" However, this idea was quickly dismissed by Conservative Central Office.<ref name="plank">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2006, he was one of a number of celebrities including Sir Geoff Hurst and Bill Pertwee, who recorded the World Cup song, "Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Jurgen Klinsmann?".<ref name="jurgen">Template:Cite news</ref>
On 15 August 2009, he beat Duke McKenzie in the final of The Weakest Link - "Boxing Special", competing against the likes of Barry McGuigan, and John Conteh.<ref name="weakest">Template:Cite news</ref> He had a small role in the 2008 British crime drama Cass. Bruno made brief guest appearances in episodes of the ITV comedy show, Harry Hill's TV Burp in February and October 2011.<ref name="mental">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2011, he made a guest appearance in Sooty.<ref name="mental"/> On 20 April 2012, Bruno was featured in the ITV series Piers Morgan's Life Stories.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
He supports West Ham United F.C. whilst also having an affinity for the Scottish team, Aberdeen F.C.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Bruno completed the 2011 London Marathon, which is the third marathon he has run successfully.<ref name="mental"/> He has also run half marathons.<ref name="mental"/> Bruno regularly makes personal appearances and also sells autographed items of memorabilia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 23 July 2013, Bruno was featured in the BBC Three documentary with his daughter Rachel in Rachel Bruno: My Dad and Me.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2020, amid the COVID-19 crisis, Frank Bruno joined a group of celebrities called The Celebs, which included Kellie Shirley and X Factor winner Sam Bailey to raise money for both Alzheimer's Society and Action for Children. They recorded a new rendition of "Merry Christmas Everyone" by Shakin' Stevens and it was released digitally on 11 December 2020, on independent record label Saga Entertainment. The music video debuted on Good Morning Britain the day before release. The song peaked at number two on the iTunes pop chart.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
In 2024, Bruno joined fellow London boxers – Lennox Lewis, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank for Four Kings television mini documentary.<ref name="kings">Template:Cite news</ref>
Professional boxing record
<ref name="martial">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:BoxingRecordSummary
References
External links
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Template:BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award Template:Authority control
- 1961 births
- Living people
- BBC Sports Personality Lifetime Achievement Award recipients
- Black British sportsmen
- Boxers from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
- England Boxing champions
- English people of Dominica descent
- English people of Jamaican descent
- European Boxing Union champions
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- People from Hammersmith
- People with bipolar disorder
- Sportspeople of Jamaican descent
- World Boxing Council champions
- World heavyweight boxing champions