Could Julius Francis have achieved more in his career? I just watched a couple of his fights, and when in shape, he had some things working for him that make me think that he could have potentially gone further than he did. Where did it go wrong with Julius, or did he simply reach his full potential and that was it?
I mean respectfully, no, he didn’t achieve anything historical but not everyone can. This forum is always digging up random heavyweights who were contenders or just outside the status and always asking “Could they do more” maybe if everyone they fought did less? Maybe if they had a better manager? maybe if they tried harder… they are what they are, he still achieved a lot more then any of us, anyone who has got in the ring and did there best should take that to the grave happy.
Well, I would never disagree there. I would never imply that any fighter is a failure or anything. I have the utmost respect for anybody who enters the ring, whether it be for sparring or for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
Yeah, I remember that, good shot he landed there. Loved that it went viral and that we have now seen a lot more interviews and such from him as a result.
If he’d had a couple more feet, he’d have had greatly enhanced earning potential for selling advertising on the bottom of his shoes. I, too, respect anyone who has the courage to step into the ring, but I cannot take very seriously the potential of someone who is so sure he’s going to get KO’d in his biggest fight that he smilingly sells advertising on the bottom of his shoes so he can profit when the cameras catch the shot of them while he’s flat on his back. Sorry, he was a clown show. Yes he had courage to get into the ring, but he mocked the sport and himself.
The guy at the end of the video saying, "There was no need. There was no need." Appeared to me that there was every need and then some. Ultimate FAFO moment.
Business, It’s a win, win, he beats Tyson he gets rematch money - he losses by KO like pretty much everyone who fought Tyson he gets a bag. What’s the big deal? He did his best, had a go got dropped multiple times trying to fight he lived boxing and fought a bunch of tough guys, he knew his ceiling.
I don't have a good answer but it was a decent and fun era in British heavyweight boxing with Francis, Harrison, Skelton, Williams, and Sprott all fighting and beating each other. Maybe he just had trouble breaking away from a pack that had a lot of parity?
He was a British champion which is still a good achievement he just wasn't world class. I mean when you say he could've achieved more in what regard ? When Francis was in his prime Holyfield, Tyson, Lewis, were active and he would never beat them in a million years. Francis found his ceiling which was a respectable one but didn't have the ability to go higher and there's no shame in that. I think the only thing he should've done is retired alot earlier and his win/loss ratio would've looked a whole lot better he lost his last 14 fights in a row.
Absolutely it is a great achievement, I’m not downplaying that at all. Obviously I don’t mean could he have become undisputed champ, but I suppose I mean could he have gone on to win the European title and defend it a few times, maybe even get a voluntary title defense shot at some point.
I don’t see it. He wasn’t Euro class. He lost tries for the EBU title to Mavrovic and Sinan Simil Sam (or whatever Simple Sam’s name was) and an eliminator to Axel Shulz. In between the two he lost to, the Euro heavyweight crown was held by the Klitschko brothers — no way he beats them. It was a good era for Euro heavies, and he wasn’t quite up to that level. I believe he did win a Lonsdale belt for three successful BBBC defenses, so that gives him a nice accomplishment and puts his name alongside some of Britain’s best in the history books. Also held the Commonwealth title. I’d say he pretty much maximized his potential. He has nothing to be ashamed of as far as what he was able to accomplish in his boxing career. Agree it would have been better if he had retired a bit earlier to save some meaningless losses (as far as his legacy) in the latter part of his career, but up until that point looks like he gave his all and won everything that was likely in reach of him given his abilities.
