Bruno turned pro in 1982 and won his first 21 fights, all by KO. He had stopped Scott LeDoux (KO3) and Floyd Cummings (KO7) among others. At 6'3" with an 82" reach, the 220 Lber was more than an impressive HW. In 1984 Bruno fought James "Bonecrusher" Smith and was stopped in the 10th and final round. The fight was close prior to the stoppage. Smith fought Larry Holmes in his next fight. Bruno came back with wins over Lucien Rodriguez (KO1) and Gerrie Coetzee (KO1) among others. In 1986 Bruno was stopped by Tim Witherspoon in the 11th round. The fight was close prior to the stoppage. Witherspoon's WBA belt was at stake. Bruno came back with wins over James "Quick" Tillis (KO5) and Joe Bugner (KO8 among others. In 1989 Bruno was stopped in 5 rounds by Mike Tyson. The fight was good while it lasted. Tyson's IBF, WBA, and WBC belts were at stake. Bruno came back with wins over Jose Ribalta (KO2), Pierre Coetzer (KO8, and Carl "The Truth" Williams (KO10) among others. In 1993 Bruno was stopped in 7 by Lennox Lewis but was leading on points prior to the stoppage. Lewis' WBC belt was at stake. Bruno came back with wins over Jesse Ferguson (KO1), Rodolfo Marin (KO1), and Mike Evans (KO2). In 1995 Bruno won a HW world title belt in his 4th try. He beat Oliver McCall, W12. Bruno lost the title to Mike Tyson, LKOby3 in 1996 and never fought again. Bruno was 228 Lbs. vs. Witherspoon and Tyson (1st fight), 238 Lbs. vs. Lewis, and 248 Lbs. vs. McCall and Tyson (rematch). Totally ripped in every fight. When was he at his best? Could he have beat Seldon (WBA champ) and Botha (IBF champ until stripped) in unification fights?
I believe Frank was at his best in the Lennox Lewis fight. Yes,I do see him beating Seldon and Botha. Frank could hold his own against that level of fighter.
Frank appeared to be using his boxing skills more against Lewis, as well as being high on confidence having not lost in 4 years, but you could counter this argument with the view that he was physically past his best as well as already being knocked out 3 times. Tough one to answer I must say.
seldons jab would cause from trouble, if he could get inside franks, botha wuld have been a nice ko for frank
Franks so underrated. Probably cos of his clowning personality. But he was one mean mofo and id pick him to paralyse the likes of Haye and Chisora. Also probably Ko Wlad. Not sure about Vitali.
botha would befuddle bruno with his slow motion one two combos, while dragging him into a clinch uppercutfest.
there is this sort of idea that bruno wasnt hitting the weights as much and trying to look body beautiful he did most of his work hitting bags and sparring. notice how he seemed more looser and relaxed when he put softer weight on later in his career.
I always thought bruno was a decent fighter all round. koed alot of durable guys lost to champs or future champs in good showing except the second tyson fight. Bad points robotic ,stiff and fatiguegd. Good points good power, a good jab and he was always trying for the ko and dam when he got knocked around and lost his facials were a good laugh on replay.
I think Bruno would KO Seldon by mid rounds. Frank could hit hard and Seldon would leave him alone enough that Frank would be able to land his big right hand. I think Bruno was best when he faced Tyson the first time in 89. He wasnt as bulky and had a little more footwork and upper body movement in his style. By the mid 90's he was more of a stationary statue. Bruno was a good boxer, but never an elite one. He barely made it past Mcall to win the title and lost it quickly to Tyson who really was raw and unbalanced when he faced Bruno the second time. They would have had a tough time keeping Bruno with a title if he had to wait longer for Tyson, but I think he could have competed with guys like Botha, Moorer, Seldon, etc who were all in the mix around this time.
Yeah I rekon bruno had the goods to top seldon,botha,shultz , moorer might of had his number but would compete with those type heavies.
