Bruno in toughest fight of his life

FRANK BRUNO, one of Britain's best-loved sports personalities, is apparently in the grip of his toughest fight yet for his mental well-being.

A lively figure in and out of the boxing ring, he had won the hearts of the nation long before he became the third Briton to hold a world heavyweight title after outpointing Oliver McCall at Wembley in September, 1995.

Bruno, 41, grew up with five brothers and sisters in a terraced house in south London where his parents had settled on their arrival from the Caribbean.

His childhood dream was to be world heavyweight champion, and he set off towards his aim by winning the ABA heavyweight championship at 18.

He won his first professional fight against Lupe Guerra in 1982 and had 40 wins from his 45 contests.

His career was apparently ended by an eye injury in 1996, though he has spoken this year of making a comeback.

Earlier this year, Bruno applied for the reinstatement of his British Boxing Board of Control licence.

His love for the sport still shines through he bought the ring in which he finally achieved his dream and admits he sometimes sleeps in it.

He said a few weeks ago that he missed boxing "very, very much".

"Every day I bless myself and thank God that I've got the opportunity of watching the tape and people coming up to me and saying that was one of the best times of their life.

"I want to prove people wrong in doing the impossible of coming back at 41 and regaining the world heavyweight championship. I don't think it's impossible to do."

Outside the ring, he has appeared in a series of HP sauce television ads and is well known for his pantomime performances.

He married Laura at a small church in Hornchurch, Essex in 1990, but the union was reported to be in trouble in 1997 and Mrs Bruno was granted a decree nisi in September 2001.

The couple had been together for 20 years and have three children.