Frank Bruno MBE
Frank Bruno MBE is one of Britain’s best-loved sportsmen, and arguably one of the most successful Black British boxers. Bruno was renowned for his punches, but his fame rested as much on his charm outside the ring as his power in it.
Franklyn Roy Bruno was born at Hammersmith Hospital in London. The youngest of 6 children.
His parents settled down in Wandsworth in London. His father, Robert, who was from Dominica passed away in 1975, while his mother Lynette is a district nurse and a Pentecostal lay preacher from Jamaica.
Frank attended schools at Swaffield Primary and Oak Hill schools in Sussex where he excelled in football and athletics. He began boxing at 9 at the local Wandsworth Boys Club.
During his amateur career, he amassed a 20-1 career, losing to (and eventually beating) Joe Christie while representing the Philip Game Amateur Boxing Club. His amateur career culminated with Frank boxing for Young England and becoming the youngest Amateur British Champion at 18.
As a professional fighter, he weighed 247lbs and stood 6’3″ tall. Bruno had a great record of 40-4. He only seemed to falter during Title fights losing to Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Tim Witherspoon, and James “Bonecrusher” Smith.
Bruno fought a total of 167 rounds, winning 38 inside the distance, and 17 of those by knockout. Frank’s career peaked on 3rd September 1995 when he beat Oliver McCall on points at Wembley Stadium to becoming the World Boxing Council Heavyweight Champion. He retired from boxing in August 1996.
Frank was awarded an MBE in 1990 and is a member of Equity. Frank has since become a comedy actor performing alongside comedians such as Michael Barrymore and Little & Large,
Frank is divorced and has two daughters.
