Was Oliver McCall paid to lose to Frank Bruno on purpose?

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008.


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  1. FLINT ISLAND

    FLINT ISLAND PENYRHEOL Full Member

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    Frank Bruno V Oliver McCall - September 1995.

    London, England, UK.

    Packed out Wembley Stadium.

    Frank Bruno the nations sweetheart having his 4th and surely his final shot at the World Heavyweight Title.

    All of Britian behind him.

    Everything had been set up in his favour - all he had to do was win the fight.

    And then the promise of a career high pay day to defend the World Crown against the Come Back Boy Mike Tyson in Las Vegas.

    Problem was Bruno was a limited fighter at the highest level.

    That night McCall came to the ring in his usual cry baby ring walk all psyched up.

    But his performance was a complete contrast to this psyched up pre fight frenzy he portrayed.

    Anyone would have thought Don King had put him on sedatives.

    His performance that night has always left me doubtful about his true intentions.

    He fought very passively for much of the fight.

    He did next to NOTHING.

    Bruno was allowed to build up a big points lead.

    In the final round McCall suddenly came to life a bit and poor old Bruno was hanging on for dear life as his strength began to ebb away.

    Why did McCall only come to life so late.

    Why not earlier - surely he would have had too much for Bruno if he had fought a true fight.

    Maybe the plot was for McCall (paid handsomely by Don King) to give up his title so Bruno could realise his "dream"

    giving McCall his promise he would be able to fight for the heavyweight title again further down the line when the likes of Bruno had long lost his title (which McCall did)

    and also maybe Don King wanted Bruno as a easier to knock out scarificial lamb for Tyson to devour and reclaim the heavyweight title.

    This may sound far fecthed

    but behind the scenes the likes of Don King are businessmen who want certain results to happen and will do everything in their power to get their way
     
    FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008
    FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008
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  2. Claypole

    Claypole Boxing Addict banned

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    Frank built up a big points lead because that was what he excelled at. With the one notable exception in Tyson, Bruno just about out boxed everybody he fought. He was well schooled (if somewhat robotic) with a ramrod jab and monster power.
    This was not enough to get him past Lewis, Tyson, and Witherspoon, but Mcall wasn't quite as good as them (in my opinion), and Frank prevailed.

    This was no set up job. I think Mcall tasted Franks power early on and didn't like it. He went into his shell a bit and waited until the sting was gone from Bruno's punches, by which time it was too late.
     
    Claypole, Sep 9, 2008
    Claypole, Sep 9, 2008
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  3. achillesthegreat

    achillesthegreat FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE Full Member

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    Frank had tools. He was suspect but he's beaten top dogs and trouble greats like Lewis and Tyson. Frank was always a tough customer. That night he beat a McCall who was always an erratic fighter. McCalls a nut. He can walk to the ring crying and then spark Maskaev and then he can walk to the ring crying and get beaten by Lewis. He's a nutter. Simple as.

    Frank beat him. No foul play to my knowledge.
     
    achillesthegreat, Sep 9, 2008
    achillesthegreat, Sep 9, 2008
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  4. JonOli

    JonOli Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Nah, Bruno was given far too tough a time imo... It would have been a far simpler job had there been a back hander involved.
     
    JonOli, Sep 9, 2008
    JonOli, Sep 9, 2008
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  5. FLINT ISLAND

    FLINT ISLAND PENYRHEOL Full Member

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    No foul play to my knowledge.

    However I think it strange he went so in his shell.

    He didnt shy away from Lewis power - he put his hands by his side and let lewis have a free open shot
     
    FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008
    FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008
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  6. Beeston Brawler

    Beeston Brawler Comical Ali-egedly Full Member

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    All that shows is an insane chin

    But Lennox wasn't exactly lamping him to death either, spent most of the time running around him to get in a position to punch
     
    Beeston Brawler, Sep 9, 2008
    Beeston Brawler, Sep 9, 2008
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  7. achillesthegreat

    achillesthegreat FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE Full Member

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    Did he go into a shell or does a Bruno jab keep you off balance and unable to get off?

    If that worked against Lewis then it could v McCall.
     
    achillesthegreat, Sep 9, 2008
    achillesthegreat, Sep 9, 2008
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  8. Claypole

    Claypole Boxing Addict banned

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    That was crazy against Lewis, but it would have been suicide against Bruno. He may not have been slick and stylish, but give him a free shot and you're finished.
     
    Claypole, Sep 9, 2008
    Claypole, Sep 9, 2008
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  9. kurt2006

    kurt2006 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yes it was fixed. I paid McCall off with a bag of dope and 2 russian prostitutes.
     
    kurt2006, Sep 9, 2008
    kurt2006, Sep 9, 2008
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  10. Beeston Brawler

    Beeston Brawler Comical Ali-egedly Full Member

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    If Bruno had survival instincts he would have beaten Lewis and Tyson.

    Lennox wasn't getting through at all until the huge bomb which landed on Frank and caused him to drop his hands.

    Tyson on the other hand simply wasn't all that good (in the grand scheme of things) and would have opened himself up allowing Frank to land.
     
    Beeston Brawler, Sep 9, 2008
    Beeston Brawler, Sep 9, 2008
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  11. FLINT ISLAND

    FLINT ISLAND PENYRHEOL Full Member

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    But look at that last round - McCall upped the pace - Bruno was clinging on for dear life.

    Surely if McCall had upped the pace earlier he would have probaly stopped Bruno.

    Its all very well being a bit cautious early on but he was defending his World Heavyweight title - and he didnt seem to care that he was letting it slip away
     
    FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008
    FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008
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  12. JonOli

    JonOli Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Franks stamina was never great as well. That may perhaps be why McCall came on late. Just a thought -I haven't seen the fight for a fair while...
     
    JonOli, Sep 9, 2008
    JonOli, Sep 9, 2008
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  13. FLINT ISLAND

    FLINT ISLAND PENYRHEOL Full Member

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    I remeber in the 1st round Bruno did cacth him with a monster over hand right that knocked McCall back and into the ring ropes

    from then on he fought like a sparring partner going through the motions

    in a WBC WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT title defense
     
    FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008
    FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008
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  14. Rob3

    Rob3 Member Full Member

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    Well King would of had to pay McCall an mega fortune for him to take it easy. What was McCall's purse for the fight? Atleast double that, and take into account what McCall could of earned defending his title against Tyson. It's been a while since I've seen the fight but from what I remember it seemed McCall was simply gambling that Bruno would run out of steam like he had in most of his big fights. If he was throwing the fight he wouldn't of came on strong in the last round.
     
    Rob3, Sep 9, 2008
    Rob3, Sep 9, 2008
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  15. FLINT ISLAND

    FLINT ISLAND PENYRHEOL Full Member

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    Nigel Benn tried to lift big Frank aloft

    Benn was recovering from his little scare on the undercard fight

    also on the same card

    Virgil Hill beat Drake Thadzie

    Thadzie would go on to beat James Toney
     
    FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008
    FLINT ISLAND, Sep 9, 2008
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