Bruno's professional boxing journey began in 1982, and he quickly made a name for himself by winning his first 21 fights by knockout. His undefeated streak came to an end in his 22nd fight when James Smith handed him a shock stoppage loss.
Despite this setback, Bruno continued to climb the ranks and got his first shot at a world title in 1986 against Tim Witherspoon at Wembley Stadium. When asked about his toughest opponent, Bruno said:
"A guy called Tim Witherspoon that I fought. Yeah, 15 rounds, he was a dangerous man."
Witherspoon's career was impressive in its own right. He started as a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali and went on to become a two-time world heavyweight champion. With 55 wins and 38 knockouts to his name, Witherspoon had faced other notable opponents like Larry Holmes and James Smith before his encounter with Bruno.
In their fight, Witherspoon stopped Bruno in the eleventh round. This loss was just the beginning of Bruno's world title journey. He went on to face Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis in subsequent attempts, falling short both times.
Bruno's perseverance paid off in 1995 when he finally claimed the world heavyweight title by defeating Oliver McCall via unanimous decision. However, his reign was short-lived. Just six months after winning the title, Bruno faced Mike Tyson for a second time, losing what would be his final professional fight.
Bruno ended his career with an impressive record of 40 wins (38 by knockout) and 5 losses. His journey from his professional debut to becoming world champion showcases the grit and determination that made him a fan favorite in British boxing.
The fact that Bruno singles out Witherspoon as his hardest-hitting opponent, despite facing knockout artists like Tyson, adds an interesting footnote to boxing history. It serves as a reminder that sometimes the most impactful experiences in a boxer's career aren't always against the most famous names.
You can hear Bruno's full comments about Witherspoon and his career in his interview with The Business Excellence Channel.