Benn was a vicious warrior, an absolute fighter, incredibly exciting, What's not to love? Bruno was a big punching heavyweight with big muscles. He was marketed very well.
They were on proper telly for starters. For Bruno he became bigger than a boxer; perhaps as Unforgiven says he was marketed very well but he also came across as a very genuine nice guy. I can't remember Harry Carpenter losing his impartiality in such a manner with anyone else (Get in there Frank!). Finally, I think he was a better boxer than people give him credit; a loss is a loss but most of the losses he was actually the better boxer for most of the bout. Just had that dodgy chin
I warmed to Bruno when people called him an Uncle Tom. This content is protected You can tell how much the words hurt him.
Ofc. Most ironical thing is that too much worshiped Ali had used the same vs Frazier, guy that looks had even helped him when he did not had active boxing licence. Old famous book about slavery called Uncle Tom. Worshiped idol Ali did not had borders to call Frazier Uncle Tom.
This. Bar Tyson, Bruno outboxed them all until caught, including Lennox. Growing up with Bruno fighting, it felt like someone you knew was fighting, the whole family were interested and willing him on. A nice guy, that’s why people loved him, respectful and a monster puncher and all on tv, no ppv crap
Benn loved a tear up and could bang people out at any time especially at middleweight. Bruno was respectful, humble and seemed like a genuinely nice guy to the public. Both men also had their careers largely play out on terrestrial TV which helped their profile.
The British people were desperate for a champion, and they were seen as a very real chance at the dream. I saw were seen as, because a lot of hope was hung on them, before they held titles.
I dont think you will find a kinder, nicer and more humble man than Bruno. It is obvious why he is so loved by the British sports fans. Nigel Benn is a different character, not as likeable immediately. But his win over McCellan made me a big fan, going in against the most feared man in boxing. Getting knocked down and still getting back up and winning. You get respect for facing the best, more so than defending a world trinket against 10 tomato cans.
I think you could write a book on Bruno's appeal in Britain. As the economy changed to reward ruthless ambition and chicanery over decency and hard work Frank seemed like a representative of how we had once been and what we were losing. Watching him there full of genuine emotion as the suits stand behind him calculating what they have made is the perfect illustration of it. If I was to get really misty eyed about it I'd say it reminds me of Turner's painting The Fighting Temeraire in which the last sailed warship is hauled off to the sunset by a smoke-belching tugboat. Frank was genuinely loved.
Benn was obviously an exciting fighter giving fans highlight reel KO's. Also helped that he had a rival in Eubank that many people hated and his win over GMan despite the ending was one of the most exciting nights of British boxing I can recall. Hell of a fight. Bruno transcended boxing in the UK he was a genuine celebrity, he'll forever be regarded as one of the most loved British boxers. He seemed a genuinely nice guy, looked the part, hit hard and even in his losses always gave it his all. Brits have an infinity with underdogs which is why guys like Eddie the Eagle Edwards became a star during the 88 winter Olympics. He was never going to win but that didn't matter and the same applied with Bruno even though nobody expected him to beat Tyson we supported him anyway because he represented us and fought for us and when he lost he seemed as gutted for the British public as he did for himself.
