Julius Francis (born 8 December 1964) is a British former professional 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.

Julius Francis
Born (1964-12-08) 8 December 1964 (age 59)
Peckham, London, England, UK[citation needed]
NationalityBritish
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights48
Wins23
Wins by KO12
Losses24
Draws1

Boxing career

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Early career

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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 (three by knockout), including two in the US, before being matched with future world heavyweight champion John Ruiz. Francis was stopped in four 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 defeated the Nigerian in 5 rounds by knockout.

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 took a knee from body shots in the 8th and watched the ref wave the fight off.

Experienced pro

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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 sixth-round knockout of Garry Delaney in Northern Ireland.

His manager Kellie 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 beat Reid in three rounds by knockout.

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, an uninterested 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 fourth 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 six rounds. Francis appeared to make little effort, quitting in the seventh 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 and boxing coach teaching city professionals the art of boxing.

Downward slide

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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 four 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.

Life after boxing

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Mixed martial arts career

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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

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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]

In June 2022, whilst working at a gig as security at Boxpark Wembley, Francis went viral for knocking out a man who was acting aggressively to numerous members of the public.[8] Roger Wade, the founder and CEO of Boxpark, was quick to defend Julius after it was revealed that the man had been acting aggressively for up to 15 minutes before Julius punched him.[9] Other employees of Boxpark also spoke to the press in support of Julius, praising his character.[10] The viral video showed the man in question pushing several members of staff and attempting, unsuccessfully, to punch both patrons and members of security. In the moments before Julius knocked the man unconscious, the man could be seen approaching Julius, shouting and raising his fist. The metropolitan police reviewed the video in question, but ultimately concluded that Julius had acted reasonably and legally.[10]

Professional boxing record

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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, London
Loss 23–23–1   Scott Gammer PTS 8 (8) 30 September 2005   Showground, Carmarthen
Loss 23–22–1   Colin Kenna PTS 4 (4) 26 June 2005   Guildhall, Southampton
Loss 23–21–1   Micky Steeds PTS 8 (8) 24 April 2005   Equinox Nightclub, Leicester Square, London
Loss 23–20–1   Roman Greenberg PTS 10 (10) 10 December 2004   Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield
Loss 23–19–1   Taras Bydenko UD 10 (10) 21 September 2004   Universum Gym, Wandsbek, Hamburg
Loss 23–18–1   Alexander Dimitrenko UD 8 (8) 31 July 2004   Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart
Loss 23–17–1   Audley Harrison UD 12 (12) 8 May 2004   Whitchurch Leisure Centre, Bristol World Boxing Foundation heavyweight title
Loss 23–16–1   Matt Skelton PTS 10 (10) 7 February 2004   York Hall, London 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, Kyiv
Loss 23–12–1   Steffen Nielsen UD 10 (10) 13 June 2003   Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg European heavyweight title
Loss 23–11–1   Sinan Samil Sam TKO 7 (12) 26 April 2003   Sport and Congress Center, Schwerin 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, London
Loss 22–10   Danny Williams TKO 4 (12) 28 July 2001  Conference Centre, London BBBofC British heavyweight title and Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title
Win 22–9   Mike Holden PTS 12 (12) 30 April 2001   York Hall, London Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
Loss 21–9   Mike Holden PTS 12 (12) 13 March 2000   York Hall, London Lost BBBofC British heavyweight title
Loss 21–8   Mike Tyson KO 2 (10) 29 January 2000   M.E.N. Arena, Manchester
Win 21–7   Scott Welch PTS 12 (12) 26 June 1999   New London Arena, Millwall, London 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, London 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, 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
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, London Won vacant Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title
Loss 16–5   Željko Mavrović TKO 8 (12) 15 February 1997   Kurhalle Oberlaa, Vienna 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, London
Win 14–4   Darren Fearn PTS 8 (8) 7 May 1996   Marriott Hotel, Mayfair, London
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
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, London
Loss 11–2   Scott Welch KO 10 (10), 2:26 1 July 1995   Royal Albert Hall, London Lost BBBofC Southern Area heavyweight title
Win 11–1   Steve Garber PTS 8 (8) 25 May 1995   Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading
Win 10–1   Keith Fletcher PTS 10 (10) 27 April 1995   York Hall, London Retained BBBofC Southern Area heavyweight title
Win 9–1   Damien Caesar TKO 8 (10) 23 February 1995   Elephant & Castle Centre, London Won vacant BBBofC Southern Area heavyweight title
Win 8–1   Gary Charlton TKO 1 (6) 23 November 1994   Cafe Royal, 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, London
Win 5–0   John Keeton PTS 4 (4) 1 December 1993   York Hall, 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   Picketts Lock Stadium, London
Win 1–0   Graham Arnold TKO 5 (6), 0:28 23 May 1993   Crofton Leisure Centre, London

Mixed martial arts record

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b "British boxing's broken belt", BBC Sport, 26 July 2001. Retrieved 7 August 2016
  4. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b "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
  8. ^ [1][dead link]
  9. ^ "Boxpark CEO backs Julius Francis after clash with 'violent' customer goes viral". Independent.co.uk. 15 June 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Police drop probe into ex-boxing champion Julius Francis viral punch video". 15 June 2022.
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