LENNOX LEWIS w rsf 7 FRANK BRUNO
October 1, 1993; Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
THOUGH the official date of Lewis-Bruno (the first all British world heavyweight title fight) is October 1, the fight – due to interest from America – started a little after 1am (GMT) on October 2. The location was curious too: Frank Maloney and Pano Eliades’ decision to host the bout in a cold outdoor venue in the Autumn struggled to attract ticket buyers, and the fighters must have feared the worst as they made their way to the ring with plastic bags tied to their feet. But the fight delivered. Bruno boxed superbly during the opening six rounds and, on advice from trainer George Francis, upped the pressure in the seventh. But Lewis landed a counter left hook and showed his class to promptly finish matters.
DID YOU KNOW? Today, referee Mickey Vann has the shirt he wore on this night in a frame. He has vowed never to sell it, despite being offered thousands to do so.
WATCH OUT FOR: American commentators Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant slamming the credentials of Vann immediately before the opening bell. It was clear they knew little of Vann the referee, choosing to pass judgement based only on the official’s controversial scorecard from the Pernell Whitaker-Julio Cesar Chavez bout.
