What could Bruno have done to win the first fight?

Bruno looked very stiff in the first Tyson fight and was rabbit punching a lot. Not sure he had the tools to beat Tyson with whatever he did but maybe double up on the jab more then tie Tyson up as he came in. Wouldn’t have won the fight but might have made it more competitive

 

Be a different fighter.

 

not be scared

 

Nothing, Tyson was above him in every department.

 

He certainly wasn’t that.

 

Tyson was way too quick for old brown sauce Bruno. Frank was usually strong for the first 6 rounds, so he ain't stopping Tyson down the stretch.

 

Nothing. Frank lacked agility and be didnt have the best chin or stamina. At the highest level it cost him.

 

Bruno wasn't fast enough on his feet, so nothing.

 

Nothing

 

Land more clean punches

 

Nothing really he was not in even a jaded Tyson's league.He momentarily stunned him that was the height of his success,before being systematically beaten up.

 

I met Frank. He told me “I tried, I really tried, he was just too quick”

That about sums it up. Against the better fighters Frank couldn’t always have enough time to pull the trigger at the right distance with both hands. One grade lower he could.

I think he fought really well in that first fight. He was the only guy trying to win who actually did as well as that in any other Tyson championship fight up until that time.

Bruno could not really get the right hand over against Tyson. Took too long to draw it across his body and meet Mike coming in. It had to travel too far and it’s starting point was too far away. So Tyson would close the distance before Frank could pull the trigger. All Bruno could do was grab instead. That’s why Franks left worked better, it was nearer to Mike.

it is a great pity because Bruno managed to hurt Tyson at half the leverage he could have used.

Trouble is you need two hands to beat Tyson.

what could he have done? I don’t think he was fast enough to punch with Mike.

move to his right rather than the left to put distance between his chin and Tyson’s right hand, feint, then jab. Rather than jab then feint. meet Tyson with the hook if he buys the feint. Then Push rather than grab like Foreman did with Frazier.

 

What couldve Frank done different?


For less skilled operators like Bruno hes never doing a Douglas.....but there were some clues in the Bonecrusher and 2nd Ruddock fight in how to how to endure a peak Tyson...

The problem is during Tysons 1985-1991 career which is really the only one worth analysing ...Mike had an incredible will to win...and I dont beleive anyone except inside the all time HW top 13 or 14 is capable of pulling off a win..though there would be different ways of doing it.

Douglas on his very best day had very fast and fast hands and fought great inside and very well going back..he also had a great IQ to be the first who insisted on pushing Tyson back physically ....none of which Bruno had in his arsenal...he was so much slower even if he had pushed he just wouldve been mauled.

To answer your question what Bruno could have done

0) Give up the pointless rabbit punches which were his main arsenal and instead

1) Clinch by tieing up and leaning down heavily on Tyson.

2) At the break of every clinch pushing Mike back.

3) Goad Tyson..by feigning confidence..again against Franks nature...

Now lesser guys like Botha and Ruddock tried these 3 and still ended up either KO"d or suffering career altering beatings.

Hell Douglas was almost KO"d.

I think
Frank could have lasted into the 7th or 8th doing what I suggest but no way he ever wins....the Tyson who lost in 2002-2004 no longer had any will to fight and was a 3 round fighter...

The 1996-97 version had slightly more will than zero but was totally depleted of his former skills and confidence...

 

Tyson would always have beaten Bruno. However, Bruno should have taken a couple of tune ups whilst waiting for his shot as he had a lot of ring rust when he eventually fought Tyson.