Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 2, 1993 TAG: 9310020156
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CARDIFF, WALES LENGTH: Medium
"Bruno did his homework and kept me from throwing my right hand early," Lewis said after keeping the World Boxing Council heavyweight title at Cardiff Arms Park. "But he must have forgotten I have a terrific left hook. I said to myself, `I'm going to let him see my hook.' "
Struggling and looking like anything but an undefeated champion, Lewis unleashed a left hook in the seventh round. It thudded against Bruno's jaw and the challenger came apart, as he did in two previous unsuccessful title bids.
Until that moment, Bruno had fought intelligently and patiently and seemingly was in control, although American judges Tony Castellano and Jerry Roth had the fight even at 57 after six rounds. British judge Adrian Morgan scored it 59-55 for Bruno.
"I was never worried," said Lewis, 28, after winning the first all-British heavyweight title fight this century.
"I knew Bruno would slow down, and I kept my composure," Lewis said.
"I had a lot of pride and the country was divided" between the two heavyweight favorite sons, Lewis said. "Now it has to unite behind the champion."
Bruno praised Lewis and said, "I think I did well, honestly, considering the so-called experts said I would last only two or three rounds. So I did bloody well, old chap."
Lewis is now headed for a March defense against Tommy Morrison and an eventual bout with Riddick Bowe, the unbeaten holder of the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation titles.
Bruno, who seemed to be the crowd favorite, had an estimated 20,000 fans in an uproar early in the seventh round when he seemed to hurt Lewis with a left hook and then followed with a series of short punches.
"He thought he had me," Lewis said. "But actually I just lost my footing. I saw every punch coming."
Then Lewis unleashed the left hook that turned the fight.
Bruno, the 31-year-old challenger trying for the third time to be a heavyweight champion, dominated the first half of the fight and had Lewis in trouble early in the seventh round before Lewis staggered him with the hook. Lewis followed with a barrage of head punches that sent Bruno into a neutral corner, where Lewis continued his attack.
Lewis went back on the attack, and referee Mickey Vann stopped the fight at 1 minute, 12 seconds of the seventh round.
Bruno didn't appear as tight and tense as in failed challenges against Tim Witherspoon for the WBA title in 1986 and against Mike Tyson for the undisputed title in 1989. Witherspoon knocked him out in 11 rounds and Tyson stopped him in five.
Bruno, who weighed 238 pounds, nine more than the champion, controlled the first five rounds by forcing the action and landing several hard jabs, stiff left hooks and one especially hard right.
Lewis also landed numerous jabs, but most of them didn't pack the power of Bruno's punches. Lewis did cause a swelling about Bruno's left eye, but he developed a swollen left eye and had a nick over it.
Lewis began to find the range in the sixth round with his right hand, which has been his main weapon in a 24-bout career that includes 20 knockouts.
by CNB