FRANK Bruno can pull off one of the greatest shocks in heavyweight history - if he heeds the advice of Sugar Ray Leonard.

Former five-division champion Leonard outlined exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Bruno's possible route to victory. And Mike Tyson could be in big trouble in Las Vegas late tonight if it all goes according to plan for Big Frank.

"If Bruno utilizes his powerful left jab and sticks with his game plan then he can cause an upset," said Leonard, retired from boxing since 1991. Their first fight in which Tyson stopped him brutally in five rounds is not a factor.

"Bruno's now the champion of the world and has a hell of a lot more confidence than in 1989. Being champion gives you that mental edge."

Leonard, a boxing legend considered by some to be pound-for-pound the best ever, worked ringside with American TV company HBO for Bruno-Tyson One.

In his commentary that night he suggested this was the first sign of a crack in the Tyson armoury. "Bruno got through with a thunderous punch in the opening round and for the first time it became evident that Mike Tyson was not invincible," said Leonard.

"Up till then many of his opponents had been crippled by fear before a punch had even been thrown.

"Bruno was not afraid of him which was vital. And it will be important again when they meet tonight."

These days Leonard's main association with boxing is managing junior bantamweight Johnny Tapia and light heavyweight Richard Hall.

But he is still one of the most instantly recognisable faces at ringsides around the world.

Bruno believes he has the tools to reverse the result of their previous meeting.

But Tyson is brooding and once again threatening to cast an evil shadow over the entire heavyweight division.

Leonard favours Tyson to win but cautions that there is no room for complacency.

He is less sure about whether Tyson will regain supremacy of the division he once ruled with an iron hand.

"It could go either way, giving Bruno a little more than a puncher's chance," said Leonard. "The man is champion now so that gives him a mental edge.

"If Mike takes him too easy then Bruno keeps the title.

"It would be a massive upset because the general consensus states that Mike Tyson is back to true form.

"From a boxer's perspective, it will say that Bruno stuck with his game plan - using height, reach, power and confidence.

"But again, Mike has the ability to rise to the occasion.

"He is truly one of the great heavyweights.

"As far as regaining what he had only time will tell.

"I think he can but let's wait and see."

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