12 minute read
A Night of Boxing History in Cardiff
by Ralph Oates
History was made on the 1st of October 1993 at Cardiff Arms Park when Lennox Lewis defended his WBC world heavyweight crown against Frank Bruno. For the first time two British boxers faced each other in the ring for a version of the world heavyweight championship and it was also the first world heavyweight title bout to be staged in Wales. It was a fight greeted with much excitement by the fans of boxing, even casual followers of the sport were interested in the bout and the eventual outcome. The fight received a great deal of media attention. At the prefight press conference, the two men were not complimentary about each other; trading insults at every opportunity. The pair seemed to have a genuine dislike for each other. This added even more intrigue to their meeting inside the square ring. Lewis, a former British, European and Commonwealth, king was the betting favourite to retain his title. He was coming into the fight undefeated with a record of 23, winning 19 inside the distance this includes one bout won by a disqualification and was making the second defence of the crown.
Lewis had a sterling amateur career being a gold medallist at super-heavyweight at the 1986 Commonwealth games which were held in Edinburgh, Scotland. He also won a gold medal at super-heavyweight at the 1988 Olympic games which took place in Seoul, South Korea. On both occasions he represented Canada; a country he had emigrated to when a youngster, returning to Britain when starting his professional career under the guidance of Frank Maloney. Make no mistake, Bruno was very popular and was the sentimental favourite. He was loved by the fans, many of whom were hoping that he just might be able to upset the odds and win the championship. Bruno was entering the battle with a record of 39 fights winning 36 with 35 of his victories coming inside the distance with three defeats.
Bruno was also a former Amateur Boxing Association heavyweight title holder having won the crown in 1980, outpointing Welsh boxer Rudi Pika over three rounds. In doing so the 18-year-old Bruno became at that time the youngest man to win this title. The challenge against Lewis was Bruno’s third shot at a world heavyweight championship. His first bid came on the 19th of July 1986 for the WBA version of the crown challenging the then holder Tim Witherspoon of the USA at the Wembley Stadium, London. On that occasion many tipped Bruno to win and thus become the first British fighter to hold the heavyweight title since Bob Fitzsimmons who had reigned from 18971899. There was a great deal of pressure on the British fighter he had the hopes of the nation resting on his shoulders, the home fans desperately wanted to see a British fighter win a world crown at heavyweight and gave him great encouragement during the fight cheering his every move but sadly after a bright start Bruno was stopped by the ring wise American in round 11 of 15.
On the 25th of February 1989 the second bid took place at the Las Vegas Hilton, Hilton Center, Las Vegas, Nevada against the fearsome undisputed king Mike Tyson. Tyson was nick-named Iron Mike and was undefeated in 35 bouts winning 31 inside the distance. He was a man with a seek and destroy mentality; he took no prisoners inside the square ring. At that time he looked unbeatable; a human tank which kept on rolling forward with no reverse gear he was
Photograph of Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis taken by Les Clark ruthless inside the square ring. No one realistically thought Bruno would win this bout and as expected the Briton was stopped after putting up a brave performance. The referee duly stepped in to halt the proceedings in round five of a scheduled 12. It truthfully became obvious in the early stages of the contest that the challenger was not going to last until the final bell. It was a painful encounter for the Briton who did his best even hurting Tyson for a brief moment during the bout, but he was being out punched by Tyson when the end came.
It appeared that the chance against Lewis would prove to be his last opportunity to become a world champion, a title he had worked for and desired since the start of his professional career. The contest was dubbed the The Battle of Briton. The fight was held in the open air. The night was chilly and damp with heavy rain having fallen earlier with the threat of more to come. However, despite the inclement weather the fans were determined to enjoy the evening and ignored the conditions and gave fantastic support to the fighters who entered the ring. The referee in charge of the bout was Mickey Vann (UK) and the judges who officiated at ringside were Tony Castellano (USA) Jerry Roth (USA) and Adrian Morgan (UK). After the introductions the much anticipated bout got underway and the atmosphere was pure electric. Both men had power and were capable of ending the contest should they connect with their powerful punches. Bruno boxed extremely well from the first bell he was relentless giving Lewis all kinds of problems landing with his crisp and hurtful left jabs which penetrated the champion’s defence. Lewis appeared to be taken back by the man in front of him. Lewis had to do something to turn the tide and responded with left jabs of his own. The spectators were on the edge of their seats watching the action. There was no let up by the two warriors - two proud
men who were giving their very all. Bruno however looked to be getting the better of the exchanges. The excitement climbed to fever pitch. Many boxing pundits were wondering if the champion and his team had perhaps underestimated Bruno. The challenger was competitive and continued to attack as the rounds passed, Bruno had clearly shaken Lewis a few times when his punches landed. The champions corner was not exactly panicking but they were showing a degree of concern and for good reason. Bruno was boxing far better than many had expected. It seemed that the title just might change hands and an upset was in the making. Lewis had to remain not just physically but mentally strong to take charge of the contest. The champion then showed why he was a title holder and upped his work rate bringing his undoubted boxing ability into play plus his heavy punching power. The contest was concluded in round seven when the referee stepped in to stop the fight with Bruno taking punishment from Lewis. The contest was a pleasing one living up to all expectations. In the fullness of time Lewis would go on to become the undisputed title holder in the division and thus be ranked with the greats in the heavyweight division eventually becoming the undisputed title holder. Many felt at the time that the defeat to Lewis had finally put an end to Bruno’s hopes of becoming a world heavyweight title holder and he should perhaps consider retirement from a sport he had served so well. Bruno however had other ideas and pushed on with his career firmly in the belief that he could still become a world heavyweight champion. In truth few if any felt that he could now reach that milestone in his career.
Bruno however would not give up on his dream and finally achieved his ambition at the fourth attempt winning the WBC version of the world title by outpointing the then champion Oliver McCall of America over 12 tough rounds on the 2 September 1995 at the Wembley Stadium, London. It was a proud and emotional night for Bruno and a great night for British boxing. Unfortunately, The Briton had to make his first defence of the crown against his former conqueror and now former champion Mike Tyson. The contest took place on the 16th of March 1996 in the USA at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada. It really didn’t seem likely that Bruno would come back with the crown and so it proved when he was stopped in the third round of scheduled 12 in what was his last professional bout. Bruno’s reign didn’t last long but perhaps it is better to be a king for a day than not at all. It should be noted that on the undercard of the Lewis-Bruno contest was a young Welsh southpaw boxer named Joe Calzaghe who was making his professional debut against Paul Hanlon an opponent who didn’t stay in the fight for too long. Hanlon was despatched in the first round of a scheduled four by Calzaghe. Every now and then in boxing someone a little special comes along and Calzaghe was special, he was very special. Many who watched Calzaghe in action against Hanlon would have been impressed but may not have realized that he would go on to be an outstanding fighter winning the British super-middleweight crown and then eventually becoming a world champion holding the WBO, IBF, WBC & IBF titles in the division hence retiring from the sport with an undefeated record of 46 bouts. Calzaghe was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014. That is some achievement.
A Question of Boxing is Ralph Oates latest book. The book can be purchased at any good bookshop or Amazon. Alternatively go to the publisher’s website and use the code OATES 25 in the checkout and get 25% off
any book www.jmdmedia.co.uk On sale at £12.99
£12 £12 £12
• Newbuilds
At Vencer we have the experience & knowledge in all aspects of the design and build process. We provide a service that begins with your idea & finishes with us producing a professionally built property or property addition. The Service:
Vencer are dedicated to providing a • General Advice on an Initial Ideas & Budgeting professional & high-quality service, • Architectural Design ensuring that customer satisfaction is • Building Control Design always achieved. • Planning Permission • Structural Design & Calculations With all the work completed, I www.vencerconstruction.com would like to express our sincere thanks to you and your team. We are absolutely delighted with
EXTENTIONS
REFURBISHMENT
LOFT CONVERSION NEW BUILDS At Vencer we have the experience & knowledge in all aspects of the design and build process. We provide a service that begins with your idea & finishes with us The Projects we Design & Build: • Extensions
COMMERCIAL PROJECTSproducing a professionally built property or property • Newbuilds
FREE ONLINE ESTIMATING TOOL addition. The Service: • • Loft Conversions Renovation & Refurbishment
Vencer are dedicated to providing a • General Advice on an Initial Ideas & Budgeting professional & high-quality service, • Architectural Design ensuring that customer satisfaction is • Building Control Design always achieved. • Planning Permission • Structural Design & Calculations With all the work completed, I www.vencerconstruction.com would like to express our sincere thanks to you and your team. We are absolutely delighted with
DESIGN & NEWBUILDDESIGN (Free with our Design + Build service) EXTENTIONS BESPOKE DESIGN & BUILDThe Service: General Advice on an Initial Ideas & Budgeting
NEW BUILDSBuilding Control Design The Projects we Design & Build: • Extensions
FREE ONLINE ESTIMATING TOOL Structural Design & Calculations • Loft Conversions • Renovation & Refurbishment
• Loft Conversions • Renovation & Refurbishment
Vencer are a full-service design & build business that designs home extensions, renovations, loft conversions & new homes, from initial ideas through to completion. Following our design, we offer a full building service where we will bring to life the designs that have been created by ourselves & you the client. Vencer has forged a reputation for beautifully balanced spaces that focus on natural light and clients tastes, whether this be endlessly classic or refreshingly modern. We create bespoke designs that stand the test of time. GENERAL ADVICE ON ANY INITIAL IDEAS & BUDGETING DESIGN + PLANNING PERMISSION CONSTRUCTION DESIGN IF REQUIRED FOR BUILDING REGULATIONS STRUCTURAL DESIGN & CALCULATIONS BUILDING + CONSTRUCTION The Projects we Design & Build: www.vencerconstruction.com • Extensions • Newbuilds • Loft Conversions • Renovation & Refurbishment
CONTACT CONTACT ACCREDITATION ACCREDITATION QR CODE QR CODE
Office: 02920 023323 Thomas: 07515 273069 David: 07917 665310 Email: enquiries@vencerconstruction.com #Vencer #vencervision Office: 02920 023323 Thomas: 07515 273069 David: 07917 665310 79, Tˆ y Mawr Rd, Llandaff North, Cardiff CF14 2FP Email: enquiries@vencerconstruction.com #Vencer #vencervision Scan this Office: 02920 023323 Thomas: 07515 273069 David: 07917 665310 Email: enquiries@vencerconstruction.com #Vencer #vencervision Office: 02920 023323 Thomas: 07515 273069 David: 07917 665310 79, Tˆ y Mawr Rd, Llandaff North, Cardiff CF14 2FP Email: enquiries@vencerconstruction.com #Vencer #vencervision Scan this CONTACT ACCREDITATION QR CODE Office: 02920 023323 Thomas:07515 273069 David: 07917 665310 y Mawr Rd, Llandaff North, Cardiff CF14 2FP Offi ce: 02920 023323 Email: enquiries@vencerconstruction.com #Vencer #Vencervision
