Frank Bruno, the former heavyweight champion, surprised fans by naming his toughest fight. It wasn't his bouts with Mike Tyson or Lennox Lewis. Instead, Bruno picked his match against Jumbo Cummings as the most challenging of his career.
In a recent interview with Tyson Fury for Wow Hydrate, Bruno opened up about the fight that still haunts him. He said:
"I fought a guy called Jumbo Cummings, he knocked me out in the first-round, and every time I think of that name I think that I need to go to the doctors and get some counselling. He hit me on the temple and I didn't know where I was. I remember it like it was yesterday, that was my toughest fight."
The fight took place in 1983 at the Royal Albert Hall. It was Bruno's 19th professional bout. In the first round, Bruno survived a shot on the bell that left him out on his feet. His corner revived him with cold water during the break. Despite this rocky start, Bruno rallied and won by seventh round stoppage.
Bruno's career had its ups and downs. He failed in world title attempts against Tim Witherspoon, Mike Tyson, and Lennox Lewis. But in 1994, he finally got his hands on the WBC championship belt by beating Oliver McCall at Wembley Stadium.
The fan-favourite Brit ended his career after a rematch loss to Mike Tyson in 1995. Bruno's record shows five losses, all by stoppage inside the distance.
Jumbo Cummings, Bruno's toughest opponent, had an interesting background. Floyd 'Jumbo' Cummings served over a decade in prison for murder before starting his boxing career. He racked up 15 victories with 13 knockouts and even fought to a controversial draw with Joe Frazier.
The fight with Bruno sent Cummings into retirement. It was his fifth loss in a row. But for Bruno, it left a lasting impression that outweighed even his most high-profile matches.
