Bruno Vs Tyson
- Thread starter SE1_Gills
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I met both Gary and Frank as a kid when Frank turned up to open up Gary's jewelry shop in Gillingham. If I recall correctly it was one of the closest shops in the small row closest to The Black Lion sports centre. I knew who Frank was as he was the UK's great hope but had little idea of the history of Gary who I think at the time I assumed was a mate of Frank who boxed, or maybe a friend down the gym.
Punch and Jewelry. It was next to or near the Hollywood bowl. He later opened one in the In Shops too. Lived in Walderslade when I lived there. Went to the same hairdressers as me in Lorswood and had a lively boxer dog (of course). Always happy to chat to locals, especially kids like myself. A tragedy what happened to him both with his career and then losing his life at a young age. He was probably more talented than Bruno and just on the verge of making it big and was probably winning the big fight with Lewis until it was stopped. Pretty much put an end to a career that would have surely seen him get a title shot and at that time, like Bruno, he may well have taken a title.
The documentary is very good and compelling viewing. When I was growing up, Bruno was one of my three sporting heroes - funnily enough, none of them were footballers, even though that was my main sport. It was always Bruno, Botham and Daley-Thompson that I wanted to be, not that I didn't idolise Tony Cas and Cochrane!
Bruno didn't knock Tyson down in the first fight, although he definitely wobbled him. The first fight was pretty much a peak Bruno, but unfortunately a peak Tyson also and no disgrace in the way he lost. Unfortunately, by the second fight, Bruno was well past it and made for uncomfortable viewing. Interesting documentary though.
I was on the M25 in Essex heading down to watch the Gills one Saturday in either '87 or 88 when a red Bentley passed me in the outside lane. Not much further on he was on the inside lane indicating to come off the motorway. I noticed the registration this time FRB1, looked across as I passed and there was big Frank in the driving seat!
I just remember being worried about Frank's safety.
Although he had sparred with Tyson before and they were sort of mates, Tyson seemed to change in to a savage once he was in the ring for an important fight and his punches always looked particularly vicious.
Frank never had that same killer touch and came across as a gentleman which seemed like a dangerous contrast.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard he was OK afterwards.
Although he had sparred with Tyson before and they were sort of mates, Tyson seemed to change in to a savage once he was in the ring for an important fight and his punches always looked particularly vicious.
Frank never had that same killer touch and came across as a gentleman which seemed like a dangerous contrast.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard he was OK afterwards.
Remember watching the Bruno Tyson fight in the pub. It was early days for Sky and the boxing was scheduled to start around about 11.00pm. Most punters were geared up for this, but if I remember correctly the fight did not actually start until around about 4.30am. There was bodies everywhere in the pub, pissed as arseholes and fast asleep. Many of them slept through the fight.
Happy day, Oh to be back down the pub
Happy day, Oh to be back down the pub
Remember watching the Bruno Tyson fight in the pub. It was early days for Sky and the boxing was scheduled to start around about 11.00pm. Most punters were geared up for this, but if I remember correctly the fight did not actually start until around about 4.30am. There was bodies everywhere in the pub, pissed as arseholes and fast asleep. Many of them slept through the fight.
Happy day, Oh to be back down the pub
Happy day, Oh to be back down the pub
I watch the Superbowl every year, and am absolutely lagging by the time it comes to the end of it.
