Career and work
Bruno turned professional in 1982 and went on to challenge repeatedly for the world heavyweight championship. Over his professional career, he recorded 40 wins and 5 losses, with 38 of those wins coming by knockout. [1]
He challenged for a world heavyweight title several times during the 1980s and 1990s, including fights against Tim Witherspoon, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. In 1995, on his fourth attempt at a world title, Bruno defeated Oliver McCall by unanimous decision at Wembley Stadium to win the WBC heavyweight championship. [11]
He held the WBC title until March 1996, when he lost a rematch to Mike Tyson. He retired from professional boxing soon afterward. [12]
What has been publicly discussed
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
Frank Bruno official websiteThe Boxer Provides boxing background, professional career, world-title challenges and the 1995 WBC heavyweight championship.
article or webpageFrank Bruno official websiteFight History Provides his professional fight record and details.
article or webpageThe Guardian, 2003My illness could help others, says Bruno Contemporary reporting on his 2003 hospitalization, diagnosis, first-person descriptions of the period before hospitalization and comments about stigma.
profile or biography
View all 12 sources
The Independent, 2006Frank Bruno: “It could happen to anyone” Covers his experience after his hospitalization, lithium and his relationship with medication.
article or webpageThe Guardian, 2016Frank Bruno’s boxing comeback hopes dashed by licence denial Includes Bruno’s account of medication side effects.
article or webpageThe Guardian, 2017Frank Bruno: “As a baby, I would try to smash my way out of the cot” Covers bipolar disorder, sectioning and his relationships with his children.
article or webpageOfficial websiteFrank Bruno MBE Covers his severe 2020 episode, sectioning and six-week hospitalization.
article or webpageThe Frank Bruno Foundation Provides information about the Foundation, its mission and programs.
profile or biographyThe Frank Bruno Foundation#KnockOutStigma Provides information about the Foundation’s anti-stigma campaign.
profile or biographyUniversity of Reading, 2017Biggest fight of my life — Frank Bruno talks to staff and students about mental health Covers Bruno’s advocacy and provides the quotation used in the profile.
profile or biographyWBCarticle or webpage WBCarticle or webpage
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Frank Bruno and their experiences.
- Let Me Be FrankBook · Frank Bruno with Nick Owens, 2017
A memoir focused on life after boxing, bipolar disorder, psychiatric hospitalization, the effects of illness on family and career, and efforts to regain stability.
- Frank: Fighting BackBook · Frank Bruno with Kevin Mitchell
An earlier autobiography covering childhood, boxing, his first psychiatric crisis, hospitalization and mental health after retirement.
- 60 Years a FighterBook · Frank Bruno
A later memoir revisiting his boxing career and severe mental-health relapse during the COVID lockdown, including a six-week hospitalization and return to public life.
- Frank BrunoInterview · Fern Britton Meets..., BBC (transcript via Subsaga)
A long-form television interview about life after boxing, substance use, bipolar disorder and changes in behaviour around illness.