Great sports writers agree that the electricity in the ether ahead of a heavyweight world title bout is unique. It’s been 30 years since Frank Bruno’s arm was raised after his thrilling defeat of Oliver McCall at Wembley Stadium. More than a trace of that same excitement pulsed through the audience gathered at OakNorth Bank yesterday evening as Frank’s entrance music hit hard. Rather than an in-ring comeback, however, the great man was there in support of Behind Every Kick to discuss the triumphs and traumas of his remarkable life.
It was heartening to hear that so much of Frank’s story reinforces why the life skills young people develop on the Behind Every Kick programme are so valuable.
Frank explained how his life reached an early crossroads when he was just 12, following an altercation with a teacher. He was expelled from mainstream school and sent to a residential pupil referral unit in Sussex. Rather than viewing this as a punishment, Frank framed it as an opportunity for a fresh start. He developed a strong bond with a teacher (Mr Urwin) who became an early mentor and cultivated his passion for boxing. Time and again, Frank’s enthusiasm and initiative have enabled him to open doors and grab opportunities. As a young fighter, he sought out renowned trainer George Francis. Francis didn’t work with amateurs, but Frank wouldn’t take no for an answer. His hunger and desire to learn persuaded Francis to give him a shot. So started a relationship that would endure throughout Frank’s career. Francis looked on from Frank’s corner that famous night he became heavyweight champion of the world.
But Frank’s journey almost ended before it started. Hoping to turn professional, the British Boxing Board of Control refused him a licence because of a serious eye injury. Aged just 18 and speaking no Spanish, Frank travelled alone to Colombia to see one of only two surgeons in the world performing a groundbreaking procedure that could save his fledgling career.
Frank’s open mindset was a source of great strength throughout his storied career. He famously took tap-dancing lessons with Roy Castle to sharpen up his footwork and was open to working with psychologists and hypnotists as he strived to reach boxing’s summit. Resilience was perhaps the most important facet of Frank’s success. Before the McCall fight, he had fought for the world title three times. Painful losses to Tim Witherspoon, Mike Tyson, and Lennox Lewis resulted in loud calls for him to retire. But Frank wasn’t to be denied. As a boy, he’d visualized becoming world champion, going so far as to stick a piece of paper on the door of his parents’ fridge articulating this goal. ‘Sometimes,’ as Frank puts it, ‘you’ve got to lose to learn how to win.’ Frank acknowledges that in his three unsuccessful attempts to win the world crown, he’d let his opponents’ pre-fight trash talk put him off his game. But when McCall tried to employ similar tactics, Frank didn’t take the bait. His rigorous preparation, combined with the motivation to finally achieve his dream, gave him the laser focus he needed to block out the noise and deliver the performance of his life on the night he needed it the most.
Frank’s fighting days may now be over, but his ability to inspire with his wit and wisdom remains undiminished. On behalf of everyone at Behind Every Kick and the young people who will benefit from the proceeds raised, thank you, Frank, for a knockout evening.