This day in boxing. A look back.

[Master]

On this day in 1987: Frank Bruno beats Joe Bugner at White Hart Lane

On this day in 1987, Frank Bruno took a significant step on the road towards a showdown with world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson when he beat Joe Bugner at White Hart Lane.

Bruno, the darling of the British boxing public, had seen his dream of lifting the world title put on hold when he was knocked out by WBA champion Tim Witherspoon in the July of the previous year and needed to work his way back into contention for a shot at the fearsome Tyson.

At 37, Hungarian-born Briton Bugner had never been forgiven by his adopted country for ending Henry Cooper’s career in a controversial points victory back in 1971 as a 21-year-old.

Bruno had been due to fight Trevor Berbick in the September, but when his opponent pulled out through injury, Bugner, who had beaten top Americans James Tillis, David Bey and Greg Page in his three previous fights, stepped in for a Battle of Britain clash at White Hart Lane.

Battle lines were drawn – the former British, European and Commonwealth champion, who had fought Muhammad Ali for the world title in June 1975, had been less than complimentary about the 25-year-old fans’ favourite in the run-up to the bout, and although he went into the ring almost two stones heavier, both the bookmakers and the crowd were firmly behind Bruno.

The younger fitter man gradually wore the durable Bugner down with his punishing jab before unleashing a barrage, and referee John Coyle called a halt at the end of the eighth round as the towel came in.

Bruno went on to lose to Tyson in February 1989 after famously rocking the undisputed world champion, but out-pointed Oliver McCall to claim the WBC crown in September 1995.

Bugner, who had initially announced his retirement in 1976, finally hung up his gloves for good in 1999 having lifted the WBF title at the age of 48.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/day...050000304.html

[Master]

On this day in 2009: David beats Goliath as Haye claims heavyweight title

On this day in 2009, David Haye fought his ‘David v Goliath’ battle with Nikolai Valuev to claim the WBA world heavyweight title.

The Briton, a world champion at cruiserweight, stepped up a division to meet his Russian opponent in a bout which captured the imagination simply as a result of the relative statures of the combatants.

At 6’3”, Haye was conceding 11 inches and seven stones to a man whose giant frame had helped him win all but one of his 51 previous fights, 34 of them by knockout.

Such was the disparity between the two men physically, the 29-year-old challenger had cheekily suggested during the build-up that his preparations had included some unusual video research.

Haye said with a twinkle in his eye: “I’ll often watch DVDs of King Kong, Godzilla or Frankenstein, just to keep my mind on the task in hand and remind myself of the magnitude of the challenge.”

The fight took place at the Arena Nurnberger Versicherung in Nuremberg on a night when the imagery was stark.



Valuev’s 7’2”, 22st 8lbs frame dwarfed that of his opponent, but the Englishman’s mobility and game-plan ultimately proved too much for the giant Russian.

Haye landed repeatedly as he flitted in and out of range, scoring well with his left hook to sap the champion’s energy and after enduring a testing seventh round, rocking him in the twelfth to seal a majority points victory despite, as he later revealed, fracturing a knuckle during round two.

Two of the judges scored it 116-112 in Haye’s favour with the third calling it all-square at 114-114.

He would defend his title twice, against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison, before losing it to Wladimir Klitschko back in Germany two years later.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/day...060000904.html

[Master]

On this day in 1992: Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe do battle in Las Vegas

After defeating Buster Douglas to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion in 1990, Evander Holyfield put together three defences of his WBA, WBC, IBF and lineal titles, seeing off big-name veterans George Foreman and Larry Holmes as well as journeyman Bert Cooper.

His fourth opponent, Brooklyn’s Riddick Bowe, was an opponent of a different magnitude entirely. Boasting a flawless 31-0 record (besting even Holyfield’s 28-0), he was young, hungry and ready to put the champion’s credentials to the test.

The hotly-anticipated contest took place in the bright lights of Las Vegas on November 13, 1992 and unfolded as an authentic 12-round classic, with Bowe turning in a magnificent performance to ascend to the summit of his sport.

Holyfield, for whom the bout was seen as a litmus test of credibility, lost his belts but left Nevada with his standing arguably improved following the ferocious fight.

The judges scored things comfortably in Bowe’s favour 117–110, 117–110 and 115–112, but the margin of victory only begins to tell the story. The final three rounds were compelling, with the duo trading dominant periods in the 10th, only for Bowe’s relentless power to force Holyfield to the mat with a right hand to the side of the head.

Against the odds he held out to the end – even launching a forlorn search for a knock-out blow in the closing moments – but a new king had been crowned in what was widely considered the year’s best in-ring action.

The result was flipped on its head in the rematch a year later, Holyfield regaining the titles via a majority decision, with Bowe eventually capping the trilogy by inflicting a first ever knock-out on his rival in a non-title clash in 1995.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/day...060000050.html

[Spicoli]

On this day in 1992: Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe do battle in Las Vegas

After defeating Buster Douglas to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion in 1990, Evander Holyfield put together three defences of his WBA, WBC, IBF and lineal titles, seeing off big-name veterans George Foreman and Larry Holmes as well as journeyman Bert Cooper.

His fourth opponent, Brooklyn’s Riddick Bowe, was an opponent of a different magnitude entirely. Boasting a flawless 31-0 record (besting even Holyfield’s 28-0), he was young, hungry and ready to put the champion’s credentials to the test.

The hotly-anticipated contest took place in the bright lights of Las Vegas on November 13, 1992 and unfolded as an authentic 12-round classic, with Bowe turning in a magnificent performance to ascend to the summit of his sport.

Holyfield, for whom the bout was seen as a litmus test of credibility, lost his belts but left Nevada with his standing arguably improved following the ferocious fight.

The judges scored things comfortably in Bowe’s favour 117–110, 117–110 and 115–112, but the margin of victory only begins to tell the story. The final three rounds were compelling, with the duo trading dominant periods in the 10th, only for Bowe’s relentless power to force Holyfield to the mat with a right hand to the side of the head.

Against the odds he held out to the end – even launching a forlorn search for a knock-out blow in the closing moments – but a new king had been crowned in what was widely considered the year’s best in-ring action.

The result was flipped on its head in the rematch a year later, Holyfield regaining the titles via a majority decision, with Bowe eventually capping the trilogy by inflicting a first ever knock-out on his rival in a non-title clash in 1995.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/day...060000050.html

An absolute gem. One fight that brought me in the room and locked the door behind me as a fan. Totally forgot it was on a Friday night. Bowes finest display of very real inside skills too.