Bradford's Frank Grant upsets the odds to beat Herol Graham

The middleweight scene in 1990s Britain was red hot. Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn were the biggest names collecting world honours, while the likes of Michael Watson and Herol Graham have gone down as two of the best British nearly men.

It is the latter that would meet Bradford’s Frank Grant on September 23, 1992. There was one clear favourite in the fight and it wasn’t the man hailing from West Yorkshire.

Sheffield’s Graham had a glittering amateur career two decades previously, and since turning pro, he had built up an amazing 38 fight unbeaten streak, capturing British, European and Commonwealth honours along the way.

However, much like Bradfordian Junior Witter, the Brendan Ingle coached boxer was heavily avoided due to his skilful, yet at times uninteresting, style.

A couple of world title shots did eventually arrive but a split decision and a brutal knockout, against Mike McCallum and Julian Jackson respectively, denied the ‘Bomber’.

His opponent’s pedigree was incomparable. No amateur fights and defeat on his professional debut almost sentenced Grant to a career among the boxing doldrums. He stuck at it though, and won 19 of his next 21 fights to earn an opportunity to become British champion.

The 27-year-old typically fought in his hometown and Manchester, under the stewardship of John Celebanski and ‘Champs Camp’ creator Phil Martin. The venue for this one was Elland Road’s Banqueting Suite.

Fresh from winning the last First Division title, plenty of Leeds United players were in attendance to support headliner and home favourite, super middleweight Henry Wharton, in his British and Commonwealth titles defence. Although a cast of Eric Cantona, Gordon Strachan and Gary McAllister would soon be gripped even more by the chief support.

Both fighters arrived to the ring to a euphoric reception from the Yorkshire crowd, who were certainly in for a treat.

A clash of southpaws can often be a stale affair, with neither boxer able to negotiate the correct feet position to fire off their most deadly shots. However, this bout had the extra element of technician versus brawler.

The key for Grant was to force the fight inside, where he could launch onslaughts to potentially stop Graham. He didn’t want it to go to the scorecards.

Predictably, the champion took the first couple of rounds, with his fleet-footed ability bamboozling the game challenger.

A roar did erupt when Grant did close the space from time to time, especially in the third when a right hand made Graham smirk.

The 33-year-old was like a flea with his jab, constantly stopping the underdog in his tracks. Yet a big left in the fifth forced Graham to hold. Could a shock really be on the cards?

The Lonsdale belt holder calmed proceedings down in the following two rounds but Grant’s threat was always there.

Once round nine came, the older fighter began to tire, creating a trading contest which favoured the heavy-handed challenger. A big flurry from Grant put Graham on the canvas. It was time for him to seize his opportunity.

The Bradfordian continued to unload upon the champion, who was struggling to stay on his feet, so much so, that referee Paul Thomas thought enough was enough and called an end to the bout.

Grant was just as astonished as the bookies, running around the ring in amazement before climbing the ropes to thump his chest. He went on to successfully defend the title once.

A seventh round knockout by world title challenger Neville Brown led to Grant calling it a day at only 28, a year after stopping Graham.

The ‘Bomber’ retired after losing his British crown, only to come back four years later for some unfinished business.

Remarkably, at the ripe old age of 38, he tried to make it third time lucky on the world stage. Charles Brewer held no prisoners though and ended the British favourite’s 20-year pro career.

The pair would suffer issues in their personal lives after hanging up the gloves, but Grant’s victory over Graham should always go down as one of the city’s best.