Mike Weaver vs. Frank Bruno

WEAVER BUSTS UP FRANK TKO 7

 

Weaver ko's Bruno in 5.

 

Weaver tko.

 

Home court advantage won't matter because Frank won't make it to the final bell.

 

I don't think so, either. Weaver had Tyson-level power (though not his hand speed or overall boxing ability). Bruno would definitely make a really good fight of it, but Weaver in 10. Frank would eventually start making mistakes and walk into a very bad punch.

 

Frank sparred with Weaver in 82-83.. He felt he handled himself well with Weaver and fancied he could beat him if ever they fought.

Frank usually allowed the pressure to get to him in big fights, but he won the McCall fight based on having known him from earlier sparring sessions.

Weaver was a better fighter, on a big occasion Weaver has more chance of winning. I am inclined to believe if he had never previously shared a ring with Weaver that Frank would allow the pressure of a nation to build up on him and lock up and implode like always after six rounds or so..

However! Frank knew Weaver. He sparred with him on trips to America. Weaver was a slow starter. Frank was a fast starter. I recon, The Weaver who fought Tony Anthony in 1984 would have lost to the 1984 version of Frank Bruno, and I firmly believe this. Especially with Frank going into ring with the prior knowledge of having sparred together.

But you put the 1979- 1981 Weaver into a match with Bruno in a football stadium with any version of Bruno, who has not sparred with Mike Weaver, and Frank is getting knocked spark out.

 

Growing up, I loved Frank Bruno. It's hard to imagine how popular he was in the UK at one time. He was popular in a way that fighters just aren't anymore. When he took the WBC title from Oliver McCall it was a moment of national celebration - finally, finally, Britain had a heavyweight champion (What's that Lennox? Shhh.)

So it pains me to say that I would pick Weaver to win and most likely by stoppage too.

 

Weaver is the safe money.

 

Another pick 'em fight. Weaver might do nothing all night and Bruno could easily UD Mike, or he could bomb him out in 1 or 2 rounds. However, w/ Bruno's shaky chin, it would take just one punch from Mike. I slightly favor Mike. He could pull off a Smith or Witherspoon-style late knockout, except cleaner, it would be a one-punch KO.

 

Weaver in his prime I think could hang in there long enough to take Bruno out especially in a 15 round fight,