As an amateur boxer he amassed a 20-1 career, losing only to (and eventually beating) Joe Christie while representing the Philip Game Amateur Boxing Club. His amateur career culminated with Frank boxing for Young England and becoming the youngest ever Amateur British Champion at 18 years of age. He became a professional boxer in 1982, starting with 21 consecutive wins by knockout.
Reasons to book Frank Bruno
- He was awarded an MBE in 1990 and in 2022 he was honoured by the Water Rats with a lifetime Achievement award.
- Frank’s an accomplished actor performing alongside Michael Barrymore, he played Robin Hood in Bristol & Bradford, alongside British comedians Little & Large, as well as Ringmaster in ‘Goldilocks & the 3 Bears’ in Birmingham.
- His celebrity status is used by many mental health charities and his name is used as an example to draw attention to the unknown factors of Mental illness.
Growing up with five brothers and sisters in a terraced London house, Frank started at age 9 at the local Wandsworth Boys Club. He learned to box seriously while at Oak Hall School in Sussex, an establishment for ‘problem’ children.
Great Britain hadn’t produced a World Champion in the Heavyweight division yet in the 20th century, but whispers started suggesting that this big lad from South London could be Britain’s next hopeful. There were a few years to wait yet.
Outside The ring Frank has remained a popular figure with the British public and crossed over from the sports fans to the man in the street. His image was enhanced by his relationship with the BBC boxing commentator Harry Carpenter where the “know wot I mean Arry” phrase joined the English language, his appearances on the early Comic Relief programmes in the 1980s and his frequent appearances thereafter on television and on stage.
Frank now lives on his own in a village of on the outskirts of the Bedfordshire. He spends a lot of time at the local health club when he is not working. He currently works speaking at dinners, & personal appearances. He has various charity affiliations including the Presidents Sporting club. His son Franklyn plays occasional rugby and Frank is often seen on the touchlines cheering on the Brentwood boy’s team. Frank describes the game as rough!
See keynotes with Frank Bruno