Lewis vs Bruno, a question for the UK fans

This one of my favourite fights. Frank Bruno's jab was excellent but he fatigued over half way through the bout. Personally I think it's his best performance despite losing to Lennox Lewis. The public at the time had seen Bruno beaten before in World title fights and since Lewis had more of recent proven record with winning the Olympic Gold Medal and beating credible opponents like Gary Mason for the British title. Mike Weaver , Glen McCory, Tyrell Biggs, Derek Williams for the Commonwealth title. Donovan Ruddock and Tont Tucker so these succession of wins made him the favourite for the fight.

 

It's hard to understate how much of a media darling Bruno was over here. Right from the off he'd been marketed as this lovable, affable giant and his image was therefore pushed like no other UK boxer's had ever been, or has ever been since. He was in adverts, he appeared in pantomimes, he was in demand for every talk show etc. He was my first boxing hero simply because of that accessibility factor, and because when he fought for a world title it really was as close as any sporting contest came to being a national event.

There is also a perception of us Brits that we love a plucky loser and humble underdog, and that we're turned off by emotionless winners. Like any stereotype, it's probably overblown - but that doesn't mean there's no truth in it at all, and when you consider how over here Colin Montgomerie always got more love than Nick Faldo, or how the crowds always pulled for Jimmy White over Stephen Hendry, you suspect the idea at least has some credence. The more times Bruno failed in his world title attempts, the more the public seemed to love him.

Lewis, on the other hand, wasn't media-trained, wasn't willing to play the happy chappy to ingratiate himself to the powers that be and was all business. He was never a natural on camera and seemed to take himself a bit too seriously for a lot of British fight fans, who'd become accustomed to Bruno's booming laugh, self-deprecating humour and his running in-jokes and comedy act with the likes of Harry Carpenter.

The other big issue, of course, was that of Lewis' nationality. He'd won every title open to him as an amateur, but obviously had done so representing Canada. A lot of Brits were cynical about how British he really felt, particularly given his accent, and saw his switch of allegiance as a purely opportunistic one, done not out of any love for the Isles, but simply because launching his career in Britain made more financial sense. People knew he was a good fighter, and as you've alluded to most knew he'd be a step too far for Bruno. But a lot of people wished it wasn't so.

The ill feeling between the pair was ramped up when the fight was announced. Knowing of the British public's indifference towards Lewis and the feeling that he'd only embraced the UK as a matter of convenience, Bruno kept referring to himself as the 'True Brit' in the build up and of course even had those words across his trunks on fight night. In response, Lewis poked fun at Bruno's reputation as a company man and media puppet, saying he was an Uncle Tom (for which Bruno threatened to take legal action) and a sell-out who just desperately wanted to be loved. This was a continuing cause of hurt throughout Bruno's career (see his post-fight interview after beating McCall) and was an angle which had already been used by Tim Witherspoon a few years before, who stated that when he visited areas such as Tottenham, Brixton etc. during his tour of London before their fight he was amazed to find almost all the black locals saying they hoped he'd beat Bruno, because they were embarrassed at him and saw him as a corporate sell-out.

Even fellow black British fighters such as Errol Christie has been harsh on Bruno's lifestyle from this point of view, saying in his autobiography that Bruno's relationship (later marriage) to a white woman and his willingness to be commercialised so much had made him and several other black UK fighters cringe.

But of course, for the greater mass of the population this was just another reason to get behind Bruno and to dislike Lewis.

 

Really good point about the racial element, the marketing of his image and the discomfort it caused some black people. That's often overlooked by many at times. Always meant to read Christie's autobiography but have not got to it yet.

 

Think it's all being said above really.
The guy on the street liked Bruno but those in the know, knew the chances are he was gonna lose.
Did put a great effort in tho did Frank, he was doing great with his Jab in there and really rocked Lennox in the third.

 

I was 11 years old and already a boxing fan. I didn't watch the fight as from memory it was 1) On Sky, which we didn't have; and 2) on in the early hours of the morning for the US audience (I could be wrong there).

My Dad wasn't a hardcore boxing fan, but rather a football/sports fan with a passing interest in boxing. I asked him who he thought would win and recall him laughing and saying "Lewis will win, he's a level above". I remember feeling split as to who I wanted to win, on 1 hand Bruno because as an impressionable kid I was swept up in the publics affection for him, on the other hand I wanted a Brit to become the man at HW, and after what my Dad had said I knew there was a better chance of Lewis doing that.

I recall being in the car the morning after the fight and the radio announced Lewis had won by 7th round stoppage with Bruno up on the cards. I remember my Dad being dumbfounded that Bruno was up after 6 rounds. Looking back with the knowledge I've since accumulated, if you're going to jab with a prime Bruno at long range, you're going to be in for a tough few rounds, almost no matter who you are.

 

Yep agree with what’s been said above, and Chris has covered just about every angle. My own brief thoughts about the fight wasn’t about who I liked the most (which incidentally was Bruno) but which one of the two would be more likely to rule the world for a long time.And that’s what I wanted: a Brit, even a multi national Brit like Lewis, to become an ATG.
So I was rooting for Lewis to win and then go on to be a legend.

But boy, Frank made him work for his dinner in the opening six rounds!

 

Some excellent posts on this thread

 

Most of us don’t consider Lewis British as he fought for Canada at the olympics. Also Bruno had a more likeable personality. He also did loads of British tv work and overall had the better PR over here.

 

It s been well answered:Bruno was a well known hero and Lewis was seen as a brit for market.
Bruno even wore “True Brit” on his trunks that night.
Regarding that particular segment I remember there was a particulary funny guy who answered:
“Lewis.Bruno cant box.”
What about the next big one Eubank-Benn :
“Eubank.Benn cant box.”
Always found it funny.
One attractive lady there in the segment aswell.

 

Frank Bruno the mid 80s to mid 90s version of Henry Cooper in the publics eyes.

Both the above did ok in the squared circle and of course Frank did become World Champion albeit briefly, but likewise both were frequent guests on television shows and in the media of their eras, so were stars to outsiders of our sport.

Lewis for all his great boxing ability, was not Mr personality, he let his mitts doing the talking.

 

very informative and fair summary

 

I remember Lewis saying something regarding Brunos popularity along the lines of "Brittish people love a loser" Kind of a funny quote because it highlights Lewis's somewhat off putting personality while also ringing a bit true in regards to Frank's immense popularity in England.

 

eh, put him in front of a mic and he DID talk. arrogantly, disrespectfully toward his opponent. he didn't say anything crazy or over the top, but if you are his promoter, you probably want him to never come near a mic because nothing likeable was going to come out of his mouth.

 

From his perspective I could see why it bothered him a bit that most of his contemporaries eg, Bowe, Tyson, could say and do outrageous and vile stuff and be immensely popular while he never caught on simply because he was a bit smug.