The smallest man you could pick to beat Frank Bruno?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by McGrain, Oct 28, 2007.

Page 1 of 5
  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2007
    Messages:
    112,959
    Likes Received:
    48,022
    I been hard on Frank in the past. I once even called him "journeyman", which is obviously well off. The Frank that fought Lewis was a cracking fighter - experienced and with a good jab on top of the usual heart, power, etc.

    But he wasn't a great fighter. How much of an advantage do you think size represents? Who is the smallest great fighter from the history of the sport (or fighting now) that you would pick to beat Bruno?

    If you pick a fighter who fought at multiple weights, be sure and identify the version of that fighter you're picking. So, Stonehands, if you want to pick Duran ;) , be sure and let us know whether it's the LW version or the MW version.

    For example, i'll pick the 174lb version of Tunney that beat Greb to outpoint Bruno.

    We'll use the ruleset that Bruno fought under, allowing only for the fact that there are no weight restrictions.
     
    McGrain, Oct 28, 2007
    #1
  2. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2006
    Messages:
    25,495
    Likes Received:
    2,150
    No one weighing under 175lbs is going to beat a peak (The Bruno who beat Bugner) Bomber. I suspect a 185lbs Marciano would stand a fair chance, as would a 195lbs Ali/Clay.
     
    TBooze, Oct 28, 2007
    #2
  3. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2005
    Messages:
    52,781
    Likes Received:
    44,366
    I can't wait to see janitor's take. I'm predicting a Barbados Joe Walcott answer if not someone even lighter.
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 28, 2007
    #3
  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2007
    Messages:
    112,959
    Likes Received:
    48,022

    What about you?
     
    McGrain, Oct 28, 2007
    #4
  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2007
    Messages:
    112,959
    Likes Received:
    48,022
    Do you think that version of Bruno was better than the guy who lost to Lewis?

    Nice picks. This thread was actually nearly about Green Clay v experienced Lewis to see how people view experience v athleticism, but I thought this might be more interesting.

    You don't think LHW Tunney could get it done?
     
    McGrain, Oct 28, 2007
    #5
  6. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2005
    Messages:
    52,781
    Likes Received:
    44,366
    Nah, he'd be far too big for me.
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 28, 2007
    #6
  7. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2006
    Messages:
    25,495
    Likes Received:
    2,150
    He was less muscle bound and the most athletic version of Bruno I ever saw. He also had confidence in his ability to win. Against Lewis I always felt Bruno was a fair way away from being even 75% confident he could win.


    No, I just think he would just be a tad too small and Bruno would be able to bully and dominate the early rounds, and if Tunney did make it to the later rounds, Frank would be so far ahead he would be able to blow rounds and suck up any bad moments to win a close decision.

    A 190lbs Tunney who beat Dempsey would have a much better chance, and possibly stops Bruno late after he survives early rounds domination by the Bruno jab.
     
    TBooze, Oct 28, 2007
    #7
  8. Nemesis

    Nemesis Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2005
    Messages:
    1,650
    Likes Received:
    13
    Marciano / Dempsey, is as light as I'd go to stop Bruno. I'd also pick Gene Tunney to outbox him over the distance
     
    Nemesis, Oct 28, 2007
    #8
  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2007
    Messages:
    112,959
    Likes Received:
    48,022

    :lol:
     
    McGrain, Oct 28, 2007
    #9
  10. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2006
    Messages:
    25,495
    Likes Received:
    2,150
    He was 4-2 up;)
     
    TBooze, Oct 28, 2007
    #10
  11. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2007
    Messages:
    112,959
    Likes Received:
    48,022
    What about Roy Jones Junior weighing 175?
     
    McGrain, Oct 28, 2007
    #11
  12. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2005
    Messages:
    19,404
    Likes Received:
    278
    I think Bruno is extremely hard to be beat by the smaller guys, despite the fact that he's a lesser fighter than say Sharkey or Schmeling, who probably rank higher.

    The problem is, it is extremely hard to outbox Bruno. Witherspoon lost almost every round, Smith lost almost every round, Lewis i don't remember exactly but he was 3-3 in rounds at best, probably 4-2 behind. Tyson did but he could outmuscle, rush in and take Bruno's shot. Bruno is a huge puncher and this will present a lot of trouble for the smaller guys. A bit like Wlad in that sense: it's extremely hard to outbox him, your best chance is to overpower/overwhelm them, but that's gonna be one hell of a task when you're significantly smaller.
     
    ChrisPontius, Oct 28, 2007
    #12
  13. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2005
    Messages:
    19,404
    Likes Received:
    278
    I think RJJ lacks the durability. Ruiz, love him or hate him, but he did land some solid shots... Jones took the, but Ruiz is hardly a puncher; Bruno would probably stop him. Getting past a robotic, long Bruno jab is a different thing than fighting Ruiz (which still was a great accomplishment, don't get me wrong).
     
    ChrisPontius, Oct 28, 2007
    #13
  14. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2006
    Messages:
    71,571
    Likes Received:
    27,215
    I would give Mickey Walker an excelent chance perhaps even make him favourite.

    Joe Choynski at under 168 lbs would have a good chance also.
     
    janitor, Oct 28, 2007
    #14
  15. biglads

    biglads Climbing the WBO Rankings Full Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2007
    Messages:
    1,779
    Likes Received:
    67
    I think Bruno would by KTFO by a 175lb Fitzsimmons
     
    biglads, Oct 28, 2007
    #15
Page 1 of 5