Frank Bruno, a heavyweight boxing legend from the 1980s and 1990s, has named James 'Bonecrusher' Smith as the hardest puncher he ever faced. Bruno shared this surprising revelation in a recent interview with Ring Magazine, looking back on his career and the tough opponents he encountered.
Bruno's boxing journey started with a successful amateur career before he turned pro in 1982. He quickly made a name for himself, racking up 21 wins, all by stoppage, in his first two years as a professional.
In 1984, Bruno faced his first major test against James 'Bonecrusher' Smith. The fight ended with Bruno suffering a 10th round knockout defeat. Despite the loss, Bruno views this fight as a valuable learning experience.
"Smith had a hard punch and he was strong. This was one of my hardest fights. I was quite young at the time and he was a lot older. I lost this fight outright but it gave me a lot of experience. I learned a lot from his punches and tried to use his style later on in my boxing."
Smith, a former WBA heavyweight champion who held the title from 1986 to 1987, had an impressive career. He fought notable opponents like Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes (twice), and Michael Moorer. His professional record shows 44 wins (32 by knockout) and 17 losses.
Bruno's career continued with several high-profile fights. He lost to Tim Witherspoon in a bid for the WBA championship and faced defeat against Mike Tyson, whom Bruno considers his most fearsome opponent. In 1993, Bruno lost to Lennox Lewis in a world title fight.
The British boxer's persistence paid off in 1995 when he defeated Oliver McCall to become the WBC world champion. However, his reign was short-lived. Bruno's final fight came in a rematch against Mike Tyson, ending with a 3rd round knockout loss that led to his retirement.
Bruno's choice of Smith as the hardest puncher he faced is particularly interesting given the caliber of opponents he fought throughout his career. It shows that sometimes, it's not just about the big names, but also about the timing and impact of a fight in a boxer's career.
