Frank Bruno delights Wolverhampton hotel crowd
He was a fierce fighter with huge punching power - but in appearance he is warm, friendly and self-effacing.
Former world boxing champion Frank Bruno MBE spoke with great modesty before a packed evening in Wolverhampton.
At the Ramada Park Hall Hotel, he told the 150 guests of his triumphs, including defeating Oliver McCall to win the WBC title, to his struggles with mental health.
The 55-year-old, born in Hammersmith in London, answered questions from compere comedian Jed Stone for more than an hour at the event on Thursday night.
He said it was always his dream to become a champion boxing, having turned professional at the age of 21 in 1982, and then achieving 21 straight knock-outs.
And following success winning the European Heavyweight Title he beat South African Gerrie Coetzee and veteran Joe Bugner.
He then faced Mike Tyson for the WBC title.
Asked by Mr Stone why he did not finish Tyson out despite appearing to be on top during the fight in 1989, he replied: “I tried to finish him, but all I did was make him more angry. He was the fiercest fighter I ever faced.”
After a loss against Lennox Lewis for the title again, Bruno had another chance, this time against Oliver McCall.
He beat the American on points.
He said: “To be a world champion was my dream since being a boy I used to watch my hero Muhammad Ali and I said ‘I also want to be a World Champion’ my brother actually wrote on a piece of paper ‘Frank Bruno World Champion’ and stuck it on the fridge at home - I was probably 12 at the time.”
But he did not hold the title for long, as he explained to the hotel audience.
He signed a deal with promoter Don King to fight Mike Tyson again, in a bout he lost, suffering an eye injury in the fight which resulted in him retiring soon after.
He said: “Tyson was recently realised from prison he had a lot to prove to his critics and he was stronger than ever I was beaten by the better boxer on the night.
“However up to that point was world champion and no-one can take that away from me and you can’t buy that title from Tesco.”
He won 40 of his 45 bouts as a professional fighter, winning 38 by knockout.
He retired as one of the most well-loved and recognisable boxers in British history, but while his battle in the ring had just finished, he now faced another one outside.
In 2001, his marriage with Laura ended and two years later he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
After a divorce his trainer committing suicide Frank’s life took a downward spiral which contributed to his mental health condition, later diagnosed as bipolar.
He said: “When I was boxer every day had a purpose to it losing my family around me, my trainer and suddenly a lot of time on my hands I was mixing with the wrong people who saw I was vulnerable it could only go in one direction. Sadly history repeated itself in 2012 and 2015.”
But he has since rebuilt his life and restored his relationship with his family.
He said: “My life certainly has been a rollercoaster now I am mentally the best I have ever been I now have a good team around me and I enjoy life to the full. My diary is busy and I am honoured people still want to pay money to see me over 20 years since I retired from boxing.”
Dinners at the Evening with Frank Bruno event enjoyed a three-course meal before Bruno came on stage, to the song Land Of Hope and Glory.
A auction was also held raising money for Walsall-based Nigel Harris Sports Foundation.
It included a replica of Bruno’s WBC title belt, which went for £3,400.
Following the question and answer session, Bruno posed for pictures with the crowd members, who went on and enjoyed the evening long after the boxing star left.
Mr Stone said: “He was is one of the nicest, most humble guys I know. It was a pleasure to work alongside him.”
Bruno’s latest book, Let Me Be Frank, which reveals new stories of the boxer’s career as well as detailing his mental health troubles in 2012 & 2015, comes out on October 9.
Visit www.frankbruno.co.uk to pre order
