Frank Bruno, the former heavyweight champion, would rather face Lennox Lewis multiple times than step into the ring with Mike Tyson again. Bruno shared this surprising preference years after his retirement, highlighting just how dangerous he felt Tyson was as an opponent.
Bruno's career saw him lose his first three world title attempts. Tim Witherspoon stopped him in 11 rounds in 1986. Tyson beat him in five rounds in 1989. Lewis knocked him out in seven rounds in 1993.
But Bruno didn't give up. He finally got his hands on the WBC heavyweight title on September 2, 1995, when he beat Oliver McCall by unanimous decision. Unfortunately, his reign was short-lived. He lost the belt in his next fight, a contractually obligated bout against Tyson.
In an interview with ESPN, Bruno explained his preference for facing Lewis over Tyson:
"I boxed Tyson twice and I boxed Lennox Lewis, and I would rather box Lennox Lewis five days a week than to fight a Mike Tyson. He's awkward, short, dangerous, and when he's fit, he's very dangerous."
Bruno's fear of Tyson wasn't unfounded. Known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet," Tyson knocked out all of his first 19 opponents. He retired in 2005 but made a comeback in November 2022 at almost 60 years old. He lost every round to Jake Paul and vowed never to return to the ring again.
Bruno described Tyson as "horrible and dangerous" in another interview, further explaining why he'd prefer to face Lewis multiple times instead.
Bruno's career shows the tough road heavyweights often face. It took him four attempts to win a world title, and he lost it in his very next fight. But his honesty about preferring to face Lewis over Tyson gives us a glimpse into the mindset of a boxer and the fear that even champions can feel when facing certain opponents.
