Frank Bruno facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frank Bruno |
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Bruno in 2022
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| Real name | Franklin Roy Bruno | |||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | True Brit | |||||||||||||
| Rated at | Heavyweight | |||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in | |||||||||||||
| Reach | 82 in | |||||||||||||
| Born | 16 November 1961 Hammersmith, London, England |
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| Stance | Orthodox | |||||||||||||
| Boxing record | ||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 45 | |||||||||||||
| Wins | 40 | |||||||||||||
| Wins by KO | 38 | |||||||||||||
| Losses | 5 | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Franklin Roy Bruno (born 16 November 1961) is a famous British former professional boxer. He competed from 1982 to 1996. Frank Bruno was a heavyweight champion. He held the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title from 1995 to 1996. He also won the European heavyweight title. Before turning professional, he was an amateur champion. He won the ABA heavyweight title in 1980.
Bruno was known for his powerful punches. He won 38 of his 40 fights by knockout. This means he knocked out his opponents in 95% of his wins. He was often ranked among the top 10 heavyweights in the world. His highest ranking was number 3 in 1984.
Contents
Frank Bruno's Boxing Journey
Starting as a Professional Boxer
Frank Bruno began his professional boxing career in 1981. He had an amazing start, winning 21 fights in a row. All of these wins were by knockout. This impressive streak got him noticed by boxing magazines around the world. He beat many strong boxers during this time. However, in 1984, James "Bonecrusher" Smith defeated him. Smith knocked Bruno out in the tenth round.
Becoming European Champion
After his first loss, Bruno won his next six fights. He became the European heavyweight champion. He knocked out Anders Eklund of Sweden to win the title. He also defeated former European champion Lucien Rodriguez. Bruno showed he was a top contender.
First Shot at a World Title
Bruno quickly earned another chance at a world title. He knocked out former champion Gerrie Coetzee in the first round. In July 1986, he challenged Tim Witherspoon for the WBA heavyweight title. Bruno was ahead on points for most of the fight. But he eventually lost by knockout in the eleventh round.
Bruno continued to win fights to get back into title contention. He beat James Tillis and other strong opponents. In 1987, he faced fellow British boxer Joe Bugner. Bruno won the fight by TKO in the eighth round.
Facing Mike Tyson
In February 1989, Bruno challenged Mike Tyson for the undisputed world heavyweight title. This was a huge fight. Bruno even managed to hurt Tyson with a left hook in the first round. This was a rare moment for Tyson at the time. However, Tyson recovered and won the fight. The referee stopped the match in the fifth round. Bruno was taking many punches.
After this loss, Bruno kept winning. He defeated boxers like Carl Williams and Pierre Coetzer. These wins helped him stay one of the world's best heavyweights.
Another World Title Challenge
In 1993, Bruno had his third chance at a world title. He fought Lennox Lewis for the WBC heavyweight belt. This was a historic fight. It was the first time two British boxers fought for the world heavyweight title. Bruno was leading on points. But Lewis won the fight by stoppage in the seventh round.
Bruno didn't give up. He quickly won more fights. He defeated Jesse Ferguson and other opponents easily.
Becoming WBC Heavyweight Champion
On 2 September 1995, Frank Bruno finally achieved his dream. He became a world champion! He defeated WBC Champion Oliver McCall over twelve rounds. Bruno won the fight by a unanimous decision from the judges. This was a huge moment for him and his fans.
Final Fight and Retirement
Bruno's time as champion was short. He had to fight Mike Tyson again in his first title defense. Tyson defeated Bruno in the third round. This was Bruno's last professional fight. He had an eye injury that got worse during the fight. Doctors advised him not to fight again. This was to protect his eyesight. Bruno retired soon after. In 2024, he shared that his eye injury was a retinal detachment.
Frank Bruno's publicist, Norman Giller, wrote three books with him. His manager for most of his career was Terry Lawless.
Frank Bruno's Life Outside the Ring
Frank Bruno has faced challenges with his mental health. In 2003, he received medical help for depression. He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He has openly spoken about his experiences. He wants to help others who are struggling. He has supported campaigns to raise awareness about mental health. He believes that mental illness is a fight you can win.
In 2005, Bruno announced he was going to be a father again. He had a daughter named Freya in 2006 with Yvonne Clydesdale. He also published his autobiography, Frank: Fighting Back, in 2006. It won an award for Best Autobiography.
Frank Bruno is involved with The Frank Bruno Foundation. This foundation helps improve mental health for men. He offers video calls to discuss mental health and his own journey. In 2025, his daughter Rachel appeared on the TV show Gladiators. She said her father's success inspired her.
Media Appearances and Other Interests
Frank Bruno became very popular with the public. He often appeared on TV shows. He was known for his phrase "Know what I mean, Harry?" during interviews with BBC commentator Harry Carpenter. He also performed in pantomime shows.
In 1991, he opened "The Ultimate" roller coaster. He joked it was "scarier than Mike Tyson". He was also featured on the TV show This is Your Life in 1993. In 1995, he released a cover song of "Eye of the Tiger". This song was from the movie Rocky III.
Bruno has appeared in various TV shows and documentaries. He was on The Weakest Link and Piers Morgan's Life Stories. He also had a small role in the film Cass. In 2020, he joined a group of celebrities called The Celebs. They recorded a Christmas song to raise money for charities. In 2024, he was part of a mini-documentary called Four Kings. It featured other famous London boxers.
Frank Bruno supports West Ham United F.C. football club. He has also run several marathons, including the London Marathon. He is a patron for The Shannon Bradshaw Trust, a children's charity.
Professional Boxing Record Summary
| 45 fights | 40 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 38 | 5 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
Images for kids
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Bruno in 2022
See also
In Spanish: Frank Bruno para niños
