This fight almost happened in 1987. I reckon Bruno would have handled Berbick then,but I can't make up my mind on a prime for prime scenario. Any thoughts ?
Berbick was tough and was pretty good at everything, but I think his defence was a bit too open to go toe-to-toe with a puncher like Bruno, as we know he would. I think Bruno stops him after wobbling him and landing too many punches.
Bruno by stoppage I'd say. Despite what many people think, Bruno had an excellent chin - and his power.... well, only taken the distance twice, one of those was McCall
There is no way Frank Bruno beats any of the primed 80s alphabet titlists in fights scheduled for more than 10 rounds; Bruno would not be able to cope with the pressure. Sure he will dominate Berbick for long periods early, but as the fight goes on, Bruno's nerves would get to him, and behind on points, I take Berbick to win by late stoppage. Berbick TKO12
Do you think Berbick could make it into the later rounds against Bruno given his fightings style? I agree if the fight went over 9 or 10 rounds Berbick would have a really good chance, but Im not sure he would make it that far.
Without using hindsight (being in the time period) an 86 match up with WBC champ ends up in a similar scenario to the Whitherspoon match-up. Bruno will talk a brilliant fight, he will have the whole country behind him, and he would be brilliant for six rounds, before blowing it with a late stoppage defeat. Bruno had a strength power, that could take out anyone ranked outside the top 15, but he lacked that dynamic timing/natural power that was needed (with his style, and stamina/nerves issues) to get the job done. Believe it or not, Bruno said himself, that he felt he has his best chance against Spinks, if the fight could be made. I remember respected press of the time pointing out that although Bruno would not now have to fight the undefeated Tubbs, the Whitherspoon fight would be far tougher. Bruno was not a real threat to any title in the 80s, we, his fans, knew that, and so did Bruno deep down.
Point taken and I agree Bruno had those issues, but I was just wondering if you thought Berbick would actually make it into the later rounds against Bruno. Bruno always faded in the later rounds, but he was pretty effective in the first half.
I like Berbick to take a points dec off Bruno. Berbick was shockingly inconsistant ,but when he was "on",he was quite a problem for any heavy. Berbick lacked real ko power ,but hit hard enough to keep you honest and had a good chin himself,he was good enough to beat Pinklon Thomas and Greg Page to fighters who were streets ahead of Bruno for boxing ability,imo.He wins a dec here.
I would be surprised if Berbick outpointed Bruno, since Bruno was only ever behind on the cards against Tyson. I also think Pinkie and Page had very different styles from Bruno. They were both boxers who liked to move around and flick out the jab on the back foot, while Bruno was a plodding slugger with a hard aggressive jab and preferred glove-blocking to slipping punches. Let's not forget: Lewis and Witherspoon beat some great boxers, but both struggled a lot with Bruno.
Berbick had a fair set of chops, he would be able to soak up Bruno's bombs early, and although he would lose early rounds, he was perfectly capable of keeping his form, which meant by the eighth round, although behind on points, Berbick would be on the way to a win.
Witherspoon was ahead on points when he stopped Bruno. The fight was indeed close for eight rounds, but then Witherspoon took control.
I saw about 20 of Bruno's fights in London,I agree he's up in the scoring against Lewis and Witherspoon, but Im talking about a 15rd or 12 rd fight that goes the limit,only a very few guys stopped Berbick ,I dont see Bruno doing it . As Bruno only outpointed ONE top class fighter [McCall],and the sand could be visibly seen to be running out of his hour glass by the second, I think Berbick beats him.Berbick gave Holmes a pretty good argument in his title challenge,[ not the car park drop kick one] He had a good chin and better stamina than Bruno.
I do not think many could of written a respected top ten without Gerrie Coetzee in it, before Bruno flattened him... That said I know where you are coming from. As stated previously I think Bruno had a clubbing/strength power that beat anyone outside the top 15, but he lacked that timing/natural power that got the job done against the very, very best.