Frank Bruno Predicts Prime Mike Tyson vs Prime Muhammad Ali: “I’ve Got To Go For Him”

British boxing legend Frank Bruno fought Mike Tyson and has spoken about how he might have fared against the great Muhammad Ali.

Bruno was one of the most popular and charismatic sports figures in the UK during his time in boxing in the 1980s and 1990s.

He famously had four world title attempts, and lost the first three, including his maiden shot against Tim Witherspoon in 1986, then against Tyson in 1989 when he was stopped in the fifth round, and was stopped inside seven when he faced Lennox Lewis in 1993.

However, in 1996 at Wembley, he achieved his dream of lifting a belt when he beat Oliver McCall on points for the WBC championship. His final fight came a year later and was a second contest with Tyson, who again beat Bruno, this time by KO in the third round.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Bruno was asked how ‘Iron Mike’ would have fared had he fought Ali – commonly regarded as the best heavyweight in history and an enigma both inside and outside the ropes.

“I’ve got to go for Muhammad Ali, but Tyson at his prime, when he was about 21, he was a very dangerous human being, but I would not bet against Muhammad Ali, because he was the godfather.

“He opened a lot of doors for a lot of people, very genuine human being and a very, very special man, so I would go for Muhammad Ali, and I think if you talked to Mike Tyson, he would say Muhammad Ali as well.”

Tyson still holds the record as the youngest ever heavyweight world champion, having won his first belt aged just 19, though Bruno stopped short of naming him as the hardest puncher he faced, instead giving that honour to James “Bonecrusher” Smith.