Whilst I think Mason had a decent engine and chin and could possibly wear Bruno down, Frank was just a bit better than Mason and would probably force a stoppage through facial injury or earn a rare decision.
I don't ever recall seeing Mason at his best, whatever that might have been. He seemed to be always knocking over fall guys then getting overmatched against Lewis. (Although to be fair he gave it a good go). Did he ever have any decent, hard fights that could have gone either way?
I think Mason would have beaten Bruno, the mason that had a good go at Lewis , he could punch and take a good shot too, think it would have been a good fight. problem with Mason was that he always fought crap opponents for years, or that Micky Duff knew he was not that good and just wanted to build him up. Shame we never got to see this fight
The Mason that fought Lewis was not as good as the Bruno that fought Lewis. Mason was an outclassed plucky trier whilst Bruno gave Lewis a decent, competitive fight. I also think Mason was the more protected of the two, and had to be matched a bit more carefully than Bruno.
I have often thought of this matchup and really don't know the answer, Mason was a good fighter in a good era of heavyweights, Bruno had the size and that might give him the edge but Mason would not of stayed off him to let Frank find his groove? Difficult one, it don't help that they were sparring partners and would have known each other inside out, its close fight that could go either way? Maybe Bruno would get the nod because he was more well known? I don't know? Frank was the more dedicated boxer, that may also play a factor.
I guess they sparred a lot. Bruno should have the edge, but if it were a 12 rounder rather than 10, maybe The Bomber would choke ala Bonecrusher....
Yep either that or Frank manages to survive the late charge by Mason and get's the verdict, that's the two outcomes I keep coming too.