KEY POINTS

  • Frank Bruno talks about his first fight against Mike Tyson
  • Bruno explains why it was hard to knock out Tyson during his prime
  • The Brit had a slightly different recollection about the fight in an earlier statement

A heavyweight boxing legend is certain he did what was possible to knock a prime Mike Tyson out.

Tyson fans were shocked after hearing “Iron Mike” admitting in the “Bruno v Tyson” documentary that Frank Bruno almost knocked him out during their first clash in 1989.

Lifting the lid on the subject, Bruno acknowledged his former rival’s recollection and confirmed that he “rocked” Tyson with a power punch.

However, the Brit admitted that he wasn’t able to knock Tyson out as the prime “Iron Mike” was just a freak of nature.

“ I know I rocked him [Tyson] with that punch and people say why did you not follow up and finish the job,” Bruno exclusively told Oxford Mail. “Trust me, in boxing hitting out can also lose some of your defense strategies and with Mike Tyson, no area should be allowed to be exposed to act as a target.”

“He was a strong, strong man,” he continued. “Boxing is like a game of chess and it is very easy for a spectator to say you should do this and this - at the time, I did my best but sadly my best was not good enough against an amazing boxer in his prime.”

Contrary to his recent revelation, Bruno earlier insisted that after the said punch, he knew Tyson was just a few combinations away from getting knocked out.

However, “The Baddest Man on the Planet” was “quick” to recover and eventually managed to survive “by bobbing and weaving.”

As the fight went on, it was Tyson who ended up dismantling Bruno in the fifth round.

Mike Tyson (R) -- seen fighting in his prime in the mid-1990s -- has said Jamie Foxx will star in a new TV series about his life
Mike Tyson (R) -- seen fighting in his prime in the mid-1990s -- has said Jamie Foxx will star in a new TV series about his life AFP / MIKE NELSON

Seven years after the first fight, Bruno had the chance to avenge his loss but was once again TKO’d by Tyson.

Reflecting on his second defeat, the London native conceded that it was a huge mistake to still take on Tyson with one of his most vital senses impaired.

“I took a big risk but I’ve got family to provide for and I couldn’t rob a bank,” the former WBC heavyweight champ recounted. “Sometimes in boxing, you think if you’ve lost one eye, you’ve still got the other eye. If you damage one hand, you’ve got the other hand. In the ring, you go mind over matter.”

“When your eye is not right your mind is there 80% but the other 20% is worried about your sight. The reality hits you in your dressing room so I just went out there and winged it. The fight only went three rounds before he stopped me. You could say it’s brave but it’s very stupid.”

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