Julius Francis

Julius Francis (born 8 December 1964) is a British retired heavyweight champion boxer who participated in many noteworthy boxing matches in the mid 90s and 2000s. In 2007, he also participated in a mixed martial arts bout, having been a former European heavyweight kickboxing champion. During his boxing career, he fought many champions, Mike Tyson, Oleg Maskayev, Vitali Klitschko, Axel Schulz, Alexander Dimitrenko, John Ruiz and Željko Mavrović.

Julius Francis
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
NationalityBritish
Born (1964-12-08) 8 December 1964
Peckham, London, England, UK
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights48
Wins24
Wins by KO12
Losses23
Draws1
No contests0

Boxing career

Early career

After a troubled youth that saw him spend several spells in prison,[1][2] Francis turned pro in 1993 at the late age of 28 with a five-round knockout of Graham Arnold. He put together six wins (3 by knockout), including two in the US, before being matched, somewhat prematurely, with future world heavyweight champion John Ruiz. Francis was stopped in 4 rounds by body shots.

In 1995 Francis won Southern Area title fights against Damien Caesar and Keith Fletcher. However, he squandered a big opportunity in an eliminator, when far ahead on points after nine rounds, hard hitting Scott Welch came from behind to drop him three times and stop him in 10. After this fight, Welch would go on to win the British title and challenge for a world title, while Francis was dropped by his team and relegated to journeyman status.

Later in 1995, he took a fight in Russia and was outpointed by local Nikolai Kulpin and, in London, lost a debatable decision by half a point to veteran Michael Murray.

Francis showed marked improvement in 1996, knocking out ex-victim Caesar in the first round to regain his Southern Area title, outpointing Michael Holden, and scoring the biggest win of his career to date as he took on hard hitting "Big Bad" James Oyebola and destroyed the giant Nigerian in 5 one sided rounds.

The big win over Oyebola got Francis a February 1997 shot at Zeljko Mavrovic for his European title, on the champion's home turf of Austria. Francis "stole" Mavrovic's bizarre mohawk haircut for the fight and even dyed it blonde. In the fight itself, Francis strangely took a knee from body shots in the 8th and watched the ref wave the fight off. Mavrovic would go on to lose on points to Lennox Lewis in a World title challenge, a fight that Lewis would say in 2006 was "the hardest of my career".

Experienced pro

In June, Francis was back, outpointing the hard hitting Zambian Joseph Chingangu in London for the Commonwealth title, and in September retained his Commonwealth title and won the vacant British title with a 6th-round knockout of Garry Delaney in Northern Ireland.

His manager Frank Maloney was unsuccessful in attempting to move Francis up in 1998, as he was outpointed in Germany by local icon Axel Schulz in a European title eliminator, and a second visit to German shores saw him decked three times and stopped in the second round by giant Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko. Klitschko would go on to win the World Heavyweight title.

In 1999, Francis was back and enjoyed the best form of his career. In January, he defended his British and Commonwealth titles against the flamboyant, hard hitting and highly rated prospect Pelé Reid, who was 13-0 (13 knockouts) and favoured to beat Francis. Francis took Reid apart in 3 one-sided rounds.

In April, he was again the underdog as he defended against another highly rated prospect, this time Frank Warren's undefeated Danny Williams, who was 15-0 (12 knockouts).[3] Francis used all his smarts to widely outpoint the "Brixton Bomber".[4] This win gave Francis the coveted Lonsdale Belt outright as he had now won three British title fights.

In June, he enjoyed the sweetest victory of his career as he outpointed former conqueror Scott Welch who was 22-3 (17 knockouts). He would vacate his Commonwealth title later in the year to set up the biggest fight of his career. At the age of 35, Francis got a shot at visiting iconic ex-champ Mike Tyson, in Manchester in January 2000. Francis was decked five times and lost in two rounds, although enjoyed the biggest payday of his career (around £350,000).[1][5][6] The certainty of his defeat can be gauged by the fact that The Mirror, a national newspaper in the UK, had paid £20,000 for an advert on the soles of Francis's shoes.[3][5][7] Less than two months later, a disinterested Francis was back in the ring and lost his British title on a close decision to Michael Holden, whom he had already beaten. Holden would later vacate the title due to injury.

In 2001, Francis returned to complete his trilogy with Holden, outpointing him over 12 rounds, and setting up a July rematch with Danny Williams, who was now #1 in the UK, world rated, and held the British and Commonwealth titles. Francis failed to repeat his earlier win, losing in the 4th round due to a swollen eye.

He would resurface in September 2002 in Denmark, scoring an upset over undefeated Steffen Nielsen, who he knocked out in 6. This earned him a European title shot in Germany against the Turk Sinan Samil Sam, who had just crushed Danny Williams in 6 rounds. Francis appeared to make little effort, quitting in the 7th round from body shots.

In early 2009, he began a new career with Fightfit Training a UK-based fitness training company as a Personal trainer/Boxing coach teaching city professionals the art of boxing.

Downward slide

Francis was now 38 years old and with a respectable record of 23-10-1 (12 knockouts).

He would mix in with high class company in the UK, Germany, Russia, and other locations, but he would not win another fight. The most notable fights were a November 2003 second-round KO loss to future champ Oleg Maskaev (26-5), a February 2004 decision loss to fast rising Matt Skelton (11-0), and a May 2004 decision loss to Olympic Champion Audley Harrison (15-0).

Francis appeared to have reached the end of the road in May 2006, when he was outpointed over 4 rounds by unknown Scott Lansdowne. He was 41 years old and weighed well over 19 stone. Having lost 14 fights in a row, his record now stood at 23-24-1 (12 knockouts).

Overall, Francis has won four British Heavyweight title fights and five Commonwealth title fights, as well as two challenges for the European title and he has fought four former or future World champions, besides owning his very own much heralded Lonsdale Belt.

Mixed Martial Arts career

In the summer of 2007, Francis announced that at Cage Rage 23: Unbelievable on 22 September 2007 he would be making his mixed martial arts debut against Gary Turner.[1][4] Francis stated that he expected the move to mixed martial arts to be comfortable for him as he was already a good kickboxer before he took up boxing. His opponent Gary Turner was previously beaten by Matt Skelton, one of Francis's own conquerors, in a K-1 tournament in 2000.

Francis lost his MMA bout against Turner by TKO (submission to punches) at 2:15 in round 2.[4]

Other activities

In 2012, Francis starred in the stage play Ring Envy, a modern version of Shakespeare's Othello in London, his performance earning praise from the likes of Sylvia Syms.[1]

Professional boxing record
23 Wins (12 knockouts, 11 decisions), 24 Losses (8 knockouts, 16 decisions), 1 Draws
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd. Date Location Notes
Loss 23–24–1 Scott Lansdowne PTS 4 (4) 21 May 2006 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London Referee: Robert Williams, score: 37–39
Loss 23–23–1 Scott Gammer PTS 8 (8) 30 September 2005 Showground, Carmarthen Referee: Mike Heatherwick, score: 72–80
Loss 23–22–1 Colin Kenna PTS 4 (4) 26 June 2005 Guildhall, Southampton Referee: Marcus McDonnell, score: 38–39
Loss 23–21–1 Micky Steeds PTS 8 (8) 24 April 2005 Equinox Nightclub, Leicester Square, London Referee: Ian John-Lewis, score: 75–77
Loss 23–20–1 Roman Greenberg PTS 10 (10) 10 December 2004 Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield Referee: Phil Edwards, score: 90–100
Loss 23–19–1 Taras Bydenko UD 10 (10) 21 September 2004 Universum Gym, Wandsbek, Hamburg 90–100, 91–99, 91–99
Loss 23–18–1 Alexander Dimitrenko UD 8 (8) 31 July 2004 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart 72–80, 72–80, 72–80
Loss 23–17–1 Audley Harrison UD 12 (12) 8 May 2004 Whitchurch Leisure Centre, Bristol 109–119, 108–119, 109–119. Francis (a late replacement for the injured Nikolai Popov) was knocked down in the 12th round. World Boxing Foundation heavyweight title.
Loss 23–16–1 Matt Skelton PTS 10 (10) 7 February 2004 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London Referee: Richard James Davies, score: 92–98. BBBofC English heavyweight title.
Loss 23–15–1 Oleg Maskaev TKO 2 (10) 27 November 2003 Olimpyskiy Sports Palace, Chekhov
Loss 23–14–1 Luan Krasniqi UD 8 (8) 18 October 2003 Color Line Arena, Altona, Hamburg
Loss 23–13–1 Volodymyr Vyrchys UD 12 (12) 6 September 2003 Sport Palace, Kiev 110–118, 108–120, 110–118
Loss 23–12–1 Steffen Nielsen UD 10 (10) 13 June 2003 Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg 92–97, 93–96, 94–96. EBU (European) heavyweight title.
Loss 23–11–1 Sinan Samil Sam TKO 7 (12) 26 April 2003 Sport and Congress Center, Schwerin EBU (European) heavyweight title.
Win 23–10–1 Steffen Nielsen KO 6 (8) 13 September 2002 Randers Hallen, Randers
Draw 22–10–1 Luke Simpkin PTS 6 (6) 10 May 2002 Britannia Hotel, Millwall, London Referee: Larry O'Connell, score: 58–58
Loss 22–10 Danny Williams TKO 4 (12) 28 July 2001 Conference Centre, Wembley, London BBBofC British heavyweight title and Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title.
Win 22–9 Mike Holden PTS 12 (12) 30 April 2001 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London Referee: John Keane, score: 116–112. Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title. British heavyweight title eliminator.
Loss 21–9 Mike Holden PTS 12 (12) 13 March 2000 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London Referee: Mickey Vann, score: 113–116. Lost BBBofC British heavyweight title.
Loss 21–8 Mike Tyson KO 2 (10) 29 January 2000 M.E.N. Arena, Manchester Francis down twice in the 1st and three times in the 2nd.
Win 21–7 Scott Welch PTS 12 (12) 26 June 1999 New London Arena, Millwall, London Referee: Richard James Davies, score: 115–113. Retained BBBofC British heavyweight title and Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title.
Win 20–7 Danny Williams PTS 12 (12) 3 April 1999 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London Referee: Larry O'Connell, score: 118–114. Retained BBBofC British heavyweight title and Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title.
Win 19–7 Pelé Reid TKO 3 (12), 2:28 30 January 1999 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London Retained BBBofC British heavyweight title and Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title.
Loss 18–7 Vitali Klitschko TKO 2 (12) 18 April 1998 Eurogress, Aachen
Loss 18–6 Axel Schulz UD 12 (12) 28 February 1998 Arena Westfalenhalle, Dortmund 112–118, 109–120, 111–118. Eliminator for European (EBU) Heavyweight Title.
Win 18–5 Garry Delaney TKO 6 (12), 2:31 27 September 1997 Ulster Hall, Belfast Won vacant BBBofC British heavyweight title. Retained Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title.
Win 17–5 Joseph Chingangu PTS 12 (12) 30 June 1997 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London Referee: John Coyle, score: 118½–116. Won vacant Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title.
Loss 16–5 Željko Mavrović TKO 8 (12) 15 February 1997 Kurhalle Oberlaa, Vienna EBU (European) heavyweight title.
Win 16–4 James Oyebola TKO 5 (10) 28 September 1996 London Retained BBBofC Southern Area heavyweight title.
Win 15–4 Michael Holden PTS 10 (10) 9 July 1996 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
Win 14–4 Darren Fearn PTS 8 (8) 7 May 1996 Marriott Hotel, Mayfair, London Referee: Tony Walker, score: 80–76
Win 13–4 Damien Caesar KO 1 (10) 9 April 1996 Leisure Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire Won vacant BBBofC Southern Area heavyweight title.
Loss 12–4 Michael Murray PTS 10 (10) 5 February 1996 Crook Log Sports Club, Bexleyheath, London Referee: Roy Francis, score: 98–98½
Loss 12–3 Nikolay Kulpin PTS 10 (10) 30 November 1995 Circus, Saratov
Win 12–2 Neil Kirkwood TKO 7 (10) 24 October 1995 Elephant & Castle Centre, Southwark, London
Loss 11–2 Scott Welch KO 10 (10), 2:26 1 July 1995 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London Lost BBBofC Southern Area heavyweight title.
Win 11–1 Steve Garber PTS 8 (8) 25 May 1995 Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, Berkshire
Win 10–1 Keith Fletcher PTS 10 (10) 27 April 1995 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London Retained BBBofC Southern Area heavyweight title.
Win 9–1 Damien Caesar TKO 8 (10) 23 February 1995 Elephant & Castle Centre, Southwark, London Won vacant BBBofC Southern Area heavyweight title.
Win 8–1 Gary Charlton TKO 1 (6) 23 November 1994 Cafe Royal, Piccadilly, London
Win 7–1 Conroy Nelson TKO 4 (8) 12 November 1994 The Point, Dublin
Loss 6–1 John Ruiz KO 4 (8), 2:38 25 May 1994 Colston Hall, Bristol
Win 6–0 Manny Burgo PTS 4 (4) 27 April 1994 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
Win 5–0 John Keeton PTS 4 (4) 1 December 1993 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
Win 4–0 Don Sargent TKO 2 (4) 28 August 1993 Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota
Win 3–0 Andre Tisdale PTS 4 (4) 24 July 1993 Showboat Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 2–0 Joey Paladino KO 4 (4) 23 June 1993 Edmonton, London
Win 1–0 Graham Arnold TKO 5 (6), 0:28 23 May 1993 Crofton Leisure Centre, Brockley, London Professional debut.

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 1 loss
By knockout 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Gary Turner TKO (submission to punches) Cage Rage 23 22 September 2007 2 2:17 Wembley, London

References
  1. Hubbard, Alan (2012) "Boxing: From sole man to star turn in Othello", The Independent, 4 November 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2016
  2. Smith, Timothy W. (2000) "BOXING; Francis Gets His 10 Rounds of Fame", The New York Times, 27 January 2000. Retrieved 7 August 2016
  3. "British boxing's broken belt", BBC Sport, 26 July 2001. Retrieved 7 August 2016
  4. Heath, Adam T. & Hudson, David L. (2012) Mixed Martial Arts' Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Crazy Combat, Great Grappling, and Sick Submissions, Potomac Books Inc., ISBN 978-1597975490
  5. "On This Day: Mike Tyson demolished British champion Julius Francis", Boxing News, 29 January 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016
  6. "Tyson wastes little time", BBC, 30 January 2000. Retrieved 7 August 2016
  7. Davies, Gareth A. (2012) "Dereck Chisora: I snubbed £70,000 offer from boot sponsor for heavyweight title fight against Vitali Klitschko", Daily Telegraph, 16 February 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2016
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