Recalling the 5 Defeats Frank Bruno Suffered During His Professional Career

Franklin Roy Bruno, born on November 16, 1961, was a British sporting icon during his boxing career.

His deep, rolling chuckle, his dialogue with well-known television commentator Harry Carpenter, plus his appearances in pantomime endeared the heavyweight to the public.

Didn't watch his fights? It didn't matter, because Bruno was known for more than just his exploits in the ring.

He became a national treasure. So what if he failed on three occasions to win the world title, he was a loveable loser the Brits embraced.

Eventually, though, Bruno did get his hands on a major belt.

The Londoner defeated WBC champion Oliver McCall in 1995, just about holding on in a nervy final round to triumph on points.

According to Richard Williams of the Guardian, Bruno said of his emotional night at Wembley Stadium, "It was like a Michael Jackson concert, Pavarotti, Vera Lynn and VE Day, all rolled into one."

He retired for health reasons after just one more bout, meaning he finished with a 40-5 (38 KOs) record.

Here, Bleacher Report recalls Bruno's five defeats, all of them tough to watch.

1. James Smith

When: May 13, 1984

Where: Empire Pool, Wembley, London

Entering the 10th and last round against James "Bonecrusher" Smith, Bruno seemed to be easing his way to a 22nd straight win.

The better boxer throughout, Bruno only needed to stay out of trouble for the final three minutes to continue his unbeaten record as a pro.

However, the tables were turned in dramatic circumstances. Smith—fighting outside of the United States for the first time—managed to suddenly put the Englishman under pressure.

The home favourite failed to cope, dropping his guard as he swayed back against the ropes.

Smith seized his opportunity, throwing punch after punch, before Bruno eventually collapsed to the canvas for the first time in his career.

He failed to beat the count, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the process.

What happened to the winner?

Smith lost four of his next five fights, one of them a shot at the IBF title held by Larry Holmes.

He did, however, become a world champion in 1986, knocking out Tim Witherspoon to claim the WBA belt. A points defeat to Mike Tyson saw him surrender the strap in his first defence.

Smith carried on boxing until 1999, finishing with a 44-17-1 (32 KOs) record.

2. Tim Witherspoon

When: July 19, 1986

Where: Wembley Stadium, London

Bruno bounced back from his loss to James Smith by reeling off a seven-fight winning streak.

The impressive run set up a shot at a world title, as he was booked to face WBA champion Tim Witherspoon in the summer of 1986.

The bout was staged outdoors at Wembley Stadium in London, though it did not get underway until the early hours of the morning to aid American television coverage.

Witherspoon—who had taken the belt from Tony Tubbs—hardly looked in great shape, but it was Bruno who ran out of steam in the closing stages.

"Terrible" Tim clinched victory in Round 11.

A tired Bruno slumped into a corner after taking a barrage of shots in the closing seconds. His corner threw in the towel, meaning Witherspoon had held on to the belt.

What happened to the winner?

Witherspoon was knocked out in a hurry by fellow American James Smith in his next bout.

Despite a streak of 12 successive wins, Witherspoon never managed to get another fight for a world title. That didn't end his career, however, and he became a journeyman in his final years as a fighter.

He lost his last two bouts to finish with a career record of 55-13-1 (38 KOs).

3. Mike Tyson

When: February 25, 1989

Where: Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas

Bruno secured a second crack at a world title in 1989, this time the Englishman travelling to the United States to face Mike Tyson.

"Iron Mike" was seen as unbeatable at the time. He held the IBF, WBA and WBC belts and his last defence, against Michael Spinks, failed to get out of Round 1.

Another early finish seemed possible when Tyson dropped Bruno in the early stages in Las Vegas.

However, the champion didn't have things all his own way in the opening round.

Bruno caught Tyson with a left hook, leading to everyone getting excited. Harry Carpenter, the long-time commentator for the BBC, said on air, "He knows he can hurt him now. Get in there Frank.''

Yet the moment of success disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived. Tyson recovered and quickly got back to dominating Bruno again.

The end finally came in Round 5. A pair of uppercuts left Bruno in trouble and, recognising the fight had gone out of the challenger, referee Richard Steele stepped in to call a halt to proceedings.

What happened to the winner?

Tyson and Bruno would go on to meet again in the ring (more on that to come).

In the immediate aftermath, however, the American went on to knock out Carl Williams inside a round before his dominance of the division came to a sudden end.

James "Buster" Douglas handed his compatriot a first pro loss, famously stopping Tyson in Round 10 of their bout in Tokyo, Japan.

4. Lennox Lewis

When: October 1, 1993

Where: National Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

Bruno hoped it would be third time lucky when he challenged WBC champion Lennox Lewis in 1993.

The bout created a bit of boxing history in Cardiff, Wales. Per BoxRec, it was the first time two British boxers had met for a world heavyweight title.

It was also staged outdoors. Concerns over rainfall around the 1 a.m. start time saw organisers agree to the potential for a 24-hour delay.

The weather wasn't an issue in the end, but Bruno's jab did cause problems for Lewis in the early rounds.

However, the challenger's chances were wiped out by a left hook in Round 7. Stunned by the blow, and with no sign of the heavens opening to send the decision to the scorecards, Bruno wobbled around.

His opponent landed a succession of big right hands, forcing referee Mickey Vann to call off the bout.

Lewis later told Sky Sports (h/t the Daily Record), "You can never take anybody lightly. I would see Frank Bruno on the TV and say 'That's a lousy fighter', 'Oh, he looks bad' and this and that then all of a sudden we got in there and he's hitting me with the jab and I was wondering what was going on."

What happened to the winner?

Lewis' reign came to a spectacular end the following year. Oliver McCall caught the Briton with a right hand in Round 2, knocking him down.

Although the holder felt he was fit to continue after rising to his feet, referee Jose Guadalupe Garcia didn't agree.

The result actually worked in Bruno's favour. He would go on to dethrone McCall and finally get his hands on a world title.

5. Mike Tyson II

When: March 16, 1996

Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas

Bruno finally—finally—became a world champion in 1995. His victory over Oliver McCall on points at Wembley Arena in London meant he claimed the WBC strap.

In his first defence, the Englishman was booked for a rematch with Mike Tyson.

Tyson had reeled off two easy wins on his ring return since his release from prison, but Bruno was viewed as a step up from Peter McNeeley and Buster Mathis Jr.

However, Iron Mike was far too good for the champion, who looked like a spent force following the win over McCall. Unlike the first fight between the pair, Bruno never even had a glimmer of hope.

The end came in the final minute of the third round. Tyson slipped a jab and pummelled his rival to such an extent that referee Mills Lane jumped in to stop the onslaught.

Bruno initially talked about the possibility of a lucrative third meeting with Tyson.

Instead, though, he decided to hang up his gloves after being told he risked losing the sight in his left eye if he carried on boxing. 

What happened to the winner?

Tyson didn't keep hold of the WBC belt, instead becoming WBA champion with a victory over Bruce Seldon.

He lost that title to Evander Holyfield, and then got himself disqualified in their rematch after biting his opponent's ear.

Tyson lost three of his final four bouts to end with a 50-6 (44 KOs) record.