Tyson v Bruno: 30 years on from a Las Vegas bout which captivated Britain

And so to fight night, where Bruno would earn around £2m, roughly a third of Tyson’s pay packet.

Among the 10,000 ringside at the Las Vegas Hilton were Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sting, Pierce Brosnan, Jon Bon Jovi, Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston, to name just a few.

Bruno had spoken openly of how much he missed home during two months in the US. Now, as he walked to the ring, millions turned their radios on at their bedside in his homeland.

His manager Terry Lawless simply said he needed “the biggest” shock in boxing history.

BBC Radio 2 commentator Ian Darke offered a dose of reality and hope in one swift line: “Of course we don’t think Frank can do it but there’s always that tantalising little chance that one punch could stun the world.”

After striding less than 100ft to the ring, Bruno – who had lost his only other world title shot against American Tim Witherspoon – was made to wait by the undefeated champion.

“It’s nerve wracking but I was hungry, ready for business,” he explained to Richardson. “In someone’s back yard they will do everything to make you unstable. Send people to your room, keep you waiting, it’s all tactics but I had to try and stay calm and get on with it.

“If you know the nature of the beast, that is what he tried to do, intimidate people so the fight was won before a punch was thrown. In the ring he walked around me like a wild animal to intimidate but that is what he was all about.”