I agree. Depends on what version of Akiwande this is though, once he was out of the game because of that STD he had a tendency to gas. Be interesting because I believe he had a longer reach then Bruno as well.
I'd be more worried about Bruno's gas tank in this one. Not so much from a hectic pace or anything, but having a large guy like Akinwande lay all over you is pretty tiring. If Frank can keep it at distance that's not a problem but, while he definitely has a better jab, Akinwande has the longer range. I think Bruno would need to be a little cute in this one. Jab-right might not be enough against a similar style. It's also worth pointing out that Akinwande has never been off his feet except for the McCall loss, but Ollie's like that sometimes, so he seems to have a good chin and the ability to protect it well. If Frank can mix up his work well and try to get that left hook going as well, something that was really intermittant in his career, then he can get in the heavier blows and the the points win. If he can't then I'd have to be backing Akinwande, who was a better fighter than the Lewis debacle labelled him with.
Bruno wins this easily. Akinwande REFUSES to fight up close. Frank got close enough to hurt Lewis, in fact he got close to every one he fought. It would be a DQ win or stoppage where Akinwande refuses to fight back.
Try to track down Akinwande vs Williams, it'll be a real eye-opener. Very aggressive punching from both guys.
Akiwande nearly decapitated Maurice Harris when he knocked him out in 1. It's mind baffling when people think a guy that large couldn't bang if he bothered to put his weight behind his shots with proper leverage.
Bruno was hugely popular in his day but nowadays I don't think he gets the credit he deserves with regards his legacy. He's thought of in most circles as a nice natured, heavy handed muscular HW whol acked stamina and boxing skills. I think that's harsh. He had juggernaught power in that jab and it was deceptively accurate and fast. He could also box, as displayed in his outboxing of Lennox. His fitness wasn't an issue, he just couldn't pace himself and relax those big muscles hence the reason why he'd tire late on. Shame someone like Freddy Roach wasn't around to get hold of him. He had serious tools and could trouble the toughest of guys. Got some great memories of his fights and I rank the Lewis/Bruno fight as the best atmosphere I've experienced at ringside, and that includes the Hatton/Tszyu and Benn/Eubank fights I went to.
My question is why? Bruno would beat Akinwande, he had some good physical advantages but he wasnt that skilled of a fighter.
Personally, I think this a horrible match up for Bomber Bruno. I take Henry to outlast Frank; and stop Bruno late, in a prime verses match up.
Akiwande had some skills, but he never showed that he was even on the level of Bruno. Bruno may have some trouble because of his stamina issues, but he outlasts Akinwande.
Living through it at the time, Bruno was very much seen as the 'lovable loser' type, you'd think he lost every fight or something. But really, Bruno gave the best fighters very tricky fights and knocked out everybody else. The only time he was awful in there was the second Tyson fight, which sadly was his last fight and a disappointing note to go out on. Good solid contenders like that are always a boon to a division.
Bruno would break him in half. I see Akinwande as a guy who made his name off basically one ko over a nothing special Williams. Bruno had elite talent and proved it consistently.
