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Thirty years after immortalising his name in Boxing folklore, national treasure Frank Bruno has opened up on his historic WBC World Heavyweight Title and his extraordinary life and times since in a world exclusive with Modern Boxing Journal.
Captured candidly by renowned photographer Tom Cockram in bespoke Burberry trench clothing, with his collection of belts, Bruno unravels the inside story from the night he memorably defeated Oliver McCall in front of 30,000 at Wembley in a tell-all interview for the third issue of Matchroom Boxing’s premium annual publication.
From the highs of that special night in London – which he regards as his crowning glory, “followed by the birth of my kids” – Bruno shares his precious insight in a remarkable journey down memory lane, before revealing all on his storied rivalry with British rival Lennox Lewis, his reaction to Eubank Jr-Benn, and offering sage advice to the stars of today who dream of following in his fabled footsteps.
“I knew it was my last chance to win the title,” Bruno tells Modern Boxing Journal.
“I had problems with my eye – I was told I really shouldn’t fight again, but that crown of World Champion was all I ever wanted. So I just had to get in the ring and give it my all. I knew he [Oliver McCall] wouldn’t be a pushover.
“We used to mess around sometimes after a heavy training session, shouting, ‘And the new World Champion is Fraaaaank Bruuuuuuno!’ So when it finally happened, it was the greatest feeling ever. All those hours pounding the streets, running in all weather, on Christmas Day, not wanting to get out of bed because I was hurting all over. It made it all worthwhile, and it’s something I will never forget.”
Now 63, legend Bruno also reflects on the highlights of his astonishing career that continues to bring him adulation from millions of fans from across the world today – and he talks about the testing times he has encountered outside of the ring since, including his current health following a hospital dash following a trip to Thailand earlier this year.
“I feel really good now, a lot better than I was,” Bruno adds.
“I was travelling to Thailand to do four shows and fell ill on the way. The journey started off good, but a couple of hours into the flight I started to feel unwell. By the time the flight landed in Qatar I didn’t know what was going on. All I remember was waking up in a hospital with drips and tubes in my arms. I had to stay in hospital in Doha for two weeks, before they let me come back to England. I was taken to a hospital in London for another two weeks, and they said I had caught some kind of virus. It was very scary. I don’t really remember a lot about it.
“I was told by the doctors to take some time off, so we had to cancel quite a few (personal appearance) shows. But I have been in the gym every day; I have a new trainer who’s been pushing hard. She’s really good.”
You can read the fascinating interview in full, with copies of the Modern Boxing Journal on sale today, for £15, at: matchroomboxing.com
In this brilliant, 230-page special, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez speaks on his desire to one day face fellow pound-for-pound superstar of the sport in Naoya Inoue, alongside his ambition to become a barista and open his own coffee store in his native Texas.
Plus, comeback queen Molly McCann shares her account of retiring as a cult figure in the women’s MMA game to prepare for her re-entrance into the world of Boxing as she gets set for her professional bow in Belfast this week.
Exciting Team USA Olympic hero Omari Jones explains how just one phone call from Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn convinced him to turn pro – and maps out his ambitious plans to eventually headline marquee fight nights and challenge for gold.
And Paddy Donovan, just days out from his historic all-Irish IBF World Welterweight Title stadium clash with Lewis Crocker, unlocks incredible, never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes access into his kindred community in Dublin where he hopes to return as a champion after September 13.
All this – and much more, including a stunning series of portrait pieces and engaging features from within the world of Boxing – is showcased in this unmissable issue, on sale now.
Any quotes used in editorial must be attributed to Modern Boxing Journal.
