Dean Francis - How far can he go???

Havent seen enough of him personally, but I like Courtney Fry in the British LHW scene. I'd like to see him get a shot at the British title

 

Not much further than he has already in all likelihood. The big problem is his age, he is 34. Was a big prospect at super middle about a decade ago, but a combination of a serious shoulder injury and a spell in chokey over a kebab shop fight (I think) led to him fighting once in about 4 1/2 years. He's been plodding around the domestic level light heavy scene since, but has never really recaptured the promise he once showed.

 

Euro level for me, but good luck to him.

He may be in line for a decent payday when Clinton Woods returns to the ring.

 

I'm not a big fan of Woods, but still think he can get fights of a higher level than a Francis fight. Possibly another defeat for Woods puts him back on that level but dont think it would be likely for these two to get it on in the near future.

Have you seen much of Fry Brawler? Whats your opinion on him?

 

I was always a big fan of Francis back in the day and he had the ability to have been a world champion, remember him stopping David Starie which is something neither Calzaghe or Reid managed to do.

He was very unlucky with the injuries and then doing time didn't help. But honestly I would make him a live underdog against Tarver. A clear underdog but Tarver is gassed after 4 rounds, Francis has a good enough chin, a good jab and some pop on his shots.

Obviously he is ruined compared to what he was and I started a thread a couple of years back about him being such a waste of talent. He should have been a world champion and whilst time is not on his side and he apparently doesn't throw the right full blooded and seems concerned about injury still, I would love to see him get a crack at a big belt.

 

euro class at best.

no way would he beat tarver.

come on now. atsch

someone like chad dawson would box his head off on saturday's showing. :roll:

 

I didnt mention Chad Dawson did I? Dawson is far faster, fitter, and skilled than Tarver. And yes Dawson would dismantle Francis.

I know Francis had world class ability. He is past his best and I have not seen him since his return, but I watched him a lot when he was younger and as I said he would be an underdog against Tarver, but Tarver does **** all. He is so lazy and in such bad shape that yes I would see Francis having a shot at an upset.

 

what was he doing time for?

 

Fighting a hard close battle with Toney Oakey, who is a sound domestic fighter but no world title challenger, probably proves Francis has reached a level hecan be succesful at. European title might be a bit of a strtch but he does have talent.

Clinton Woods is a better all round boxer and would be him comprehensively imo.

 

he could of won a version of the title if the division was in bad shape. but there are some really good talents out there

 

I thought a fight with Cleverly was planned some time soon. I haven't seen Francis fight for years, but from some of the comments on here I'd imagine he would be too much for Cleverly to handle.

 

Francis is comming to the end, but it has one excellent comeback, after what happened against White, I never thought he would get back to this level some 10 years later!

I will always remember him at his peak of his powers on the Wright/Simon fight, where all the hype was on Shafiq (what the hell happened to him?), and yet Francis seemed the cream of the crop on the undercard.

 

Francis is the most well schooled Brit we've had. Based on his 1996-7 work, he's perhaps the best prospect Britain had in modern times. He was wrecking guys that Calzaghe and Collins were struggling with. Francis was like a super middle David Haye: vulnerable, massive punch, and brilliant skills (more skills, less power).

If not for the freak shoulder accident vs Undra White, Deano would have been one of our better world champions - I have no doubt.

His comeback has been extraordinary. He has shown a fanatical dedication to boxing. The comeback has been very satisfying and the Oakey fight was memorable.

In terms of fine skills that he's honed, I don't think there are many Brits in the last 15 years who can match Francis. Of course he won't win a world title now. But coming back to win British and Commonwealth belts after prison, operations, etc etc is an achievement.

His story is a compelling one and his earlier fights are well worth checking out (Baker, Starie, Seillier, Carr) to see what all the fuss is about.