The burden of a hundred years of failure proved too much even for the broad shoulders of Frank Bruno to bear as the 24-year-old Londoner joined the long, seemingly endless, list of unsuccessful British challengers for the world heavyweight title as he tried to wrest the WBA version from Philadelphia’s Tim Witherspoon #OnThisDay in 1986. A series of clubbing right hands in the 11th round shattered Bruno’s challenge. But at least Bruno can look back with pride on his part in a bruising and exciting brawl that sustained the 40,000-plus crowd at Wembley Stadium. The fight started about 1am local time to accommodate HBO, which televised the fight in the United States In a statement afterwards Bruno said: “The bruises on my face will heal. The only damage is to my pride. I hope I didn’t let anyone down.” Much-loved Bruno would eventually fulfil his dream when he defeated Oliver McCall via unanimous decision for the heavyweight crown in 1995. Also at Wembley Stadium. #boxing #BoxingNews #BoxingHistory #WitherspoonBruno #FrankBruno #TimWitherspoon (at Wembley Stadium)
