DESPITE boxing once again being disgracefully snubbed in last week’s Honours List, moves are being made strongly recommending Frank Bruno, receives a knighthood.
Sir Henry Cooper is still the only member of the bent-nose brigade who has been knighted and that was twenty years ago.
Frank Bruno has missed out on the New Year Honours list again – but he should have been knighted ages agoCredit: Getty Images
Bruno who had his last fight 24 years ago rivals ‘Our ‘Enery in the hearts of the nation and he’s as popular today as he was when he held the WBC world heavyweight title.
This is proved every time he is introduced at ringside on big fight nights – he always gets a roar of approval from the fans who delight in chanting his name.
I doubt if there would be a single dissenting voice anywhere in Britain if Bruno is acclaimed Sir Frank, in June’s Birthday Honours.
Mike Jackson, a retired Essex police Chief Superintendent, is the man who is leading this knighthood crusade.
Jackson will be writing formerly to the Honours Committee in Whitehall before the end of this month to make his case – backed up by letters of support from politicians and celebrities.
Mike told me: “I’ve known Frank for forty years and I firmly believe he thoroughly deserves to be knighted.
“Not necessarily for what he did in the ring but for the tremendous amount of money he helps raise for charities and particularly for the amazing job he’s done by bravely going public to raise awareness of people suffering mental health problems.
“It wasn’t easy for him to bare his soul and tell the world about his own mental health issues.
“People from all walks of life have told me how inspired they have been listening to Frank remove the stigma from the subject. It has helped considerably.”
Bruno – who was sectioned three times – has thankfully won his toughest fight by overcoming deep depression and bipolar and he no longer needs medication.
Frank said: “Mental health sufferers, young and old, are now willing to talk about their problems. It’s no longer considered taboo or shameful and they are not embarrassed to ask for help.
“It can affect anyone whether you are heavyweight champion of the world or working in a shop. We are persuading people it is no longer a stigma but we have a long way to go.”
Bruno has set-up the Frank Bruno Foundation located in Northampton. There sufferers take part in non-contact sparring which has proved to be therapeutic and helps to relieve tensions.
Knowing the way the Establishment dismissively regards boxing and boxers it’s odds against Jackson’s campaign being successful.
But Bruno certainly has influence in high places – particularly in Buckingham Palace. Prince Charles is certainly a fan of his because of the work Frank has done to promote the Princes Trust.
The New Year Honours made interesting reading. Nine gongs went to cricket alone and horse racing, golf, squash and hockey were represented.
But the working class sport of boxing as usual got zilch.
Surely role-model world champions Josh Warrington, Callum Smith and Khalidf Yafai were worth at least one measly MBE between them?
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
