Frank Bruno loves nice cars and smart suits but he’s a saver too

Frank Bruno made a name for himself in the boxing ring and became WBC World Heavyweight Champion in 1995 when he defeated American fighter Oliver McCall over twelve rounds.

When he retired a year later, he effortlessly entered the entertainment world. He tells Dan Moore how TV shows, pantomime and personal appearances on Saturday nights kept his name, face and trademark smile in the spotlight.

He has been open about his mental health for the past two decades.

He was awarded an MBE in 1990.

Frank, 62, father of four and grandfather of three, is divorced and lives alone in rural Bedfordshire. He is a patron and trustee of the Frank Bruno Foundation.

What was your first money lesson?

My father, who was a baker, died in the mid-1970s at the age of 47. He left me, my two brothers and three sisters too soon and certainly before we had really had a conversation about money.

My mother, who was quite strict, wanted me to earn a good, fair wage as quickly as possible. She was a lay minister, so the Bible was quoted to me frequently. “All hard work pays off, but all talking only leads to poverty,” comes to mind.

What was your first job?

When I was 16, I was a metal polisher on a construction site, which was hard work. I didn’t like getting up in the morning and I didn’t get high wages, about £16 to £20 a week.

How did you get into boxing?

I always got into trouble. I didn’t go looking for it, but I was a big kid for my age and there was always someone willing to hire me. It was my teacher who put my energy into early boxing training and I later became a member of the Philip Game Boxing Club around the age of seventeen.

Without boxing I think I would have ended up in jail. Instead, I ended up making a good income and paying taxes.

I kept telling my mother that I wanted to be a professional boxer. My mother kept bringing me down to earth until one day my manager Terry Lawless came by to say he wanted me to sign professional forms. My mother wasn’t happy about it, but Terry told her how much money I could make. Thousands were mentioned depending on how many fights I could win and ‘who knows, maybe even millions’.

She said, ‘Then I can get a new dress and a new hat for church! Okay, where should we sign?’

How much money did you make when you started?

I got paid enough to get by, but there wasn’t much left after paying for my family while I was away, training, camps, equipment and the like. And yes, my mother got her new dress and hat.

I just wanted to win, I wanted to be Muhammad Ali, world champion. I wanted the admiration he received, with all the financial benefits and other trappings that come with it.

My brother Michael clearly believed in me – at a young age he put fridge magnets on the fridge: ‘Frank Bruno World Champion’, probably 15 years before I actually became world champion.

What was the best year of your financial life?

It was undoubtedly winning the World Championship in 1995. I don’t like to talk about the money, but it was over a million pounds and my best ever payday.

But it’s important to remember that if large amounts of money are won, that amount will pay for your manager, trainers, sparring partners, training camp, etc., which certainly puts a hole in the pot.

But let’s just say that after that win I was a lot more financially secure. Of course, even millionaires should be grounded. I was still a human who had to run errands, clean the house, and make a cup of tea.

How did you plan a post-boxing career?

Terry Lawless said: ‘Frank, being a sports professional is a short life, you have to learn other things that can complement your life in the ring.’

And of course, I had to make sure my family would be taken care of financially when I hung up my gloves.

So I learned to tap dance, did loads of chat and entertainment programmes, pantomime, children’s TV, all so that people who didn’t like boxing knew my name and face.

I just said yes to almost every invitation so I could get my face out there.

Are you a spender or a saver?

A little bit of both. When I’m sick, I spend a lot of money unwisely. I love my cars, nice watches, well-tailored suits. I enjoy many treatments at the health club; I like a massage. But I still want to work to earn money.

Are you saving for a pension?

I was advised to build a pension and I am so glad I did.

Do you have property?

I have a detached house in Bedfordshire, with a gym and a studio for my music. I’m a frustrated DJ and have a set of decks where I play my music for hours. I also have a static caravan in Kent with a view of the sea. It’s just paradise when it’s warm. With beautiful English summers and sunsets I could be anywhere in the world.

What is your financial priority?

I still want to be able to earn money as long as I can and take care of my grandchildren Olivia and Amaya, who are both five, and Bobbi, who is two and a half, and help them with little treats on birthdays and anniversaries. Christmas or take them to wildlife parks whenever I can. It’s a little hard to pick them out because I tend to stand out in the crowd. I also like to buy a nice car every few years, maybe another Bentley.

The best and worst money decisions you’ve made?

I put my trust in so many people and it cost me hundreds of thousands of pounds. People I thought were friends or close to me just scammed me. The best decision I made was to get my current team around me, who really wants to protect me financially.

Which charities do you support?

I have spoken openly about the crucial role exercise has played in my battle with mental health issues and am now driven to help others tackle their own mental health issues.

The Frank Bruno Foundation exists to provide support, encouragement and the motivation to succeed for those dealing with or recovering from early-stage mental health issues. Neither I nor my management receive any money from the charity.

What are you doing now?

I’m blessed that audiences still want to hear my stories, so I have a busy events calendar. God willing, as long as people keep inviting me, I will continue.

• Signed copies of Frank Bruno: 60 Years A Fighter are available at frankbruno.co.uk. To donate to Frank’s charity, visit thefrankbrunofoundation.co.uk.