Boxing: Bruno in emotional return to ringside

Frank Bruno was 30 minutes late for his first public appearance since his release from a psychiatric hospital two weeks ago and when he entered York Hall, Bethnal Green, he looked stunned and bemused by the reception.

A crowd of two or three hundred had waited outside in the cold to greet the former world champion. Inside the old arena, a standing ovation was led by the English and American amateur boxing teams who had waited patiently for his arrival.

Bruno was quickly ushered to the back of the hall for an emotional reunion with Tim Witherspoon, who stopped the British fighter in their world title fight in 1986. It was the first time that the two fighters had met since that night. They embraced for a long time and, once again, Bruno looked extremely bemused.

It took another five minutes to organise the walk from the back of the hall to the ring. After Witherspoon had jogged with a smile on his face and waved the Stars and Stripes, it was time for Bruno to lead the English team in. Before he appeared from behind the curtains on the stage there was a silent pause and then another standing ovation as he walked towards the ring lights leading England's 10 competitors. However, there was no dancing, no smiling and no flag-waving from Bruno, who looked uncomfortable.

His discomfort seemed to continue once he was in the ring, when the boxers from both nations were introduced to the crowd. Once the lengthy introductions were completed Bruno slipped quietly to a ringside seat next to Witherspoon and barely spoke a word.

Occasionally, he would raise his hand when somebody shouted his name. He even accepted programmes to sign, but it was clear that the night was taking its toll.

The international, which was arranged by the Police Community Clubs of Great Britain, was running smoothly but their chief guest, and a man who had attracted four camera crews, 15 reporters and perhaps 30 photographers, was looking increasingly unhappy.

'"I am fine. I am enjoying it,'' Bruno said after three fights. "I enjoy amateur boxing, I have always enjoyed amateur boxing and that is why I am here.''

There was one magical moment at the ringside when one of Bruno's very oldest friends, John "The Beast" Mugabi, rose from his seat and went over to embrace him. Mugabi has had his own setbacks since his dazzling ring career ended and he revealed that he had been to see Bruno in hospital.

"Frank has always been a good man to me, and three weeks ago when he called me, I rushed to hospital to talk with him,'' Mugabi said.

Later Bruno, despite his problems, insisted that he would like to fight again once his recovery is complete, with Audley Harrison as his primary target.