Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno: How boxing legends’ records compare after rivals become pals filming new Sky documentary
MIKE TYSON and Frank Bruno have formed a brotherhood 25 years on from their last fight.
The pair first fought in 1989 before rematching in 1996 – both of which were brutally won by Tyson.
But Bruno, 59, claims the pair are bound together by brotherly love after he flew to meet him in America for a new Sky documentary.
It came just a month after Tyson made his remarkable comeback aged 54 as he boxed to a draw with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr, 54, in Iron Mike’s first fight since retiring 15 years prior.
Bruno was cheering his former foe on all the way, and here SunSport details how their careers compared.
MIKE TYSON
Even before turning pro, Tyson was making a name for himself as a teenager with strength way before his years under the guidance of iconic mentor Cus D’Amato.
By the time he made his debut aged 18, he was already one of the most feared fighters in the world and racked up 27 wins – with only two going the distance – before challenging for the title in record time.
Tyson in 1986 became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time as he knocked out Trevor Berbick at the age of 20 years and 145 days.
But the life as Baddest Man on The Planet would later catch up on Iron Mike, who made nine defences of his belt before succumbing to the sport’s most famous upset.
In 1990, Tyson, while partying and taking drugs the night before, was KO’d by American outsider James ‘Buster’ Douglas in Tokyo, Japan, sending shockwaves around the world.
His prime athletic years were lost to addiction and a three-year prison term, started in 1992, for a rape he still fiercely denies.
But when he came out in 1995, it took him only a year to reclaim the WBC title, as he savagely KO’d Bruno, who had reigned as champ for just six months.
In the years following, he lost to Evander Holyfield twice – the second time after biting his rival’s ear – was KO’d by Lennox Lewis before retiring after two dismal defeats.
Amazingly, after the success of Tyson’s Hotboxin’ podcast, launched in 2017, he stopped drinking and using cocaine putting him in line for a comeback.
And after he began dramatically transforming his body in early 2020, he returned in the November and now has his sights set on a trilogy with Holyfield.
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FRANK BRUNO
Bruno made his debut in 1982 and it took him four years and 30 fights until he challenged for the world title, later losing to Tim Witherspoon in 1986.
In his next attempt, three years on, he was wiped out in round five against Tyson, the first of the series, before losing to Lennox Lewis in 1993, his third try at the belt.
He finally achieved his goal in the fourth and final attempt as he outpointed America’s Oliver McCall in 1995, leaving the nation on its feet.
Britain’s favourite heavyweight champion walked away from the ring in 1996, coincidently after losing to Tyson.
The Brit legend has never looked close to a comeback but remained in boxing, and in great shape, by helping rising stars at his former amateur club, the Peacock.
The former champ last year was the padman for prospect Daniel Dubois at an open workout in London.
Despite fans wanting Bruno to stay happily retired, it can’t be denied the MBE looks in great shape.
But it can only be celebrated that as of yet he will only be watching Tyson’s comeback trail, not taking part in it.
