Frank Bruno vs. Oliver McCall.
Bruno’s title night is remembered as a coronation. The fight’s last three minutes show how close it came to being taken away.
September 2, 1995. Wembley Stadium. Bruno, 39-4, on his fourth attempt at a world title. McCall, 26-5, WBC champion on his second defence, after wins over Lennox Lewis and Larry Holmes.
McCall makes his final push in the 12th. He walks Bruno down, lands the heavier shots and forces the clinches. Bruno holds. By then he is no longer boxing so much as lasting.
The scores were 117-111, 117-111 and 115-113. Bruno had built the lead behind the jab and right hand before McCall’s late pressure arrived.
Bruno had never reached the 12th round in a world-title fight before. This time he survived it.
That is how the title changed hands: not a procession, a close-out.
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