Dean Francis

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 12 Dec 2007, 06:28

I was disappointed with his fight on Saturday.
The opponent was awkward but still Francis didn’t throw much leather & it looked destined for the distance from early on.

He hardly used his right hand all night – was he troubled with the shoulder again?
As I was at the fight (& cocked up my DVD settings) does anyone know if this was picked up by the ITV people or mentioned in any post fight interviews?

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 06:32

It was on ITV4.

Bear in mind that this was his 1st TV fight (live) in about 12 years.

He's knocked out better than Gbenga on small shows in Bristol or wherever, see the last 2 fights.

Francis was tight, and once he found his range the the tall African he was doing some nice boxing. Gbenga's height/awkwardness ensured it wasn't a clean night's work, but I thought Francis did some lovely boxing over the 2nd half. That jab-soft right-hard left hook combo is lovely, and really had the opponent falling back off balance.

I was concerned with his pacing, but I know he's capable of better than this. Too early for Woods. Go for the British champ, knock him out, and wait see how much of a lift this is.

STP · Post by **STP** » 12 Dec 2007, 06:34

He didn't throw the right hand with even 50% power once, and probably threw about 20 right hands in the 12 rounds. Plus, he looked absolutely monstrous in the upper body - huge (....).

He'd have to be a little more dynamic if he's going to be fighting top 10 and top five world opponents now, and go for broke abit. There were some slight flashes of real good stuff, but only slight flashes.

He was a great prospect 12 or 13 years. But, that was 12 or 13 years ago.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 06:35

still, good to see him winning at domestic/euro level and making the most of it. hope FW hasn't written him off like the commentators were!

deadpan · Post by **deadpan** » 12 Dec 2007, 06:57

When he was a two fisted fighter he had talent to burn. It's a tragedy to see him now that he has to box like the dishwasher in Robin's Nest. Version 1 would've mullered a prime Clinton Woods. He still might if he risked throwing some rights.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 12 Dec 2007, 07:32

He must still be able to train on the right shoulder, as it looked as strong as his left shoulder, there din't seem to be any difference in the amout of muscle around it.
I think he's more afraid of missing with a right hand, and it coming out of socket, he seemed to throw it in a chopping action in close. When in the later rounds he let a few go, he looked a completly different boxer.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:27

deadpan wrote:When he was a two fisted fighter he had talent to burn. It's a tragedy to see him now that he has to box like the dishwasher in Robin's Nest. Version 1 would've mullered a prime Clinton Woods. He still might if he risked throwing some rights.

still, his best punch was always the left, and when he gets going he uses the right to give leverage to a left hook/uppercut.

i agree, in his prime he beats Woods. maybe he'd gamble his right in a big fight, if it were to be his 1 big chance/crowning moment.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:34

It was a very, very poor performance.

Gbenga (5-2 with Boxrec, 1-2 with FightFax and a hastily impressive 16-2 from the Ghanaian Boxing Association) was and is a bag of shite but one who is obviously very durable.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:45

it was disappointing, because Ovill McKenzie (KO'd in 1) and Ayittey powers (easily broken down) were much more credible than Gbenga.

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:48

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:It was a very, very poor performance.

Gbenga (5-2 with Boxrec, 1-2 with FightFax and a hastily impressive 16-2 from the Ghanaian Boxing Association) was and is a bag of shite but one who is obviously very durable.

That was my impression from seeing it live, albeit 2/3rds of the way back.
A lot of the crowd had drifted off to the bar after a few rounds which just about sums it up really.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:50

I actually enjoyed Francis' performance. Okay, you had to apply context but it was a demonstration of ring savvy, a beautiful lead left and some good footwork. He judged the distance very well, minimsed the opponents possibilities using range and his left and reacted very maturely to the one time he was clipped.

I'd have like to see him bring a few up as the big fella lunged in but I think it was a very shrewd, if cautious display, Francis has been introduced to the audience, spoke well to camera and has a story - because of the arm/shoulder.

I'd like to see him fight another second or third tier opponent on an undercard, Tony Oakey would be fun if he has owt left.

I think Francis has a lot to build on from his showing. I liked him, I saw his defeat to Barney live and I felt for the poor sod. Good to see him back and on the trail.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 10:45

well said. Francis is very well rounded, has a good stance and a neat defence. Beautiful left hand work, especially with the uppercut.

I think if he fought the same guy again in a couple of months' time, he'd bash him up. If anyone's seen the improvement between Francis' 2 showings vs Hastings Rasani (W6 and KO2), they might agree with me.

Different stage, taller opponent. Think he'd spank Oakey. Allegedly Hall of Famer allegedly can get him the opportunities.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 12 Dec 2007, 10:59

Francis is still finding his way back after all his injuries and other problems, you cant blame him for being a little cautious in using the right.... I enjoyed watching him box and thought the commentators were rather unfair to him... I'm sure he'd use the right hand more in a big fight with say Woods, ....when he did let it go a few times the power still seemed to be there and he was really shaking up Gnbenga, who was tough as a rock and had a decent right hand himself....

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 12 Dec 2007, 11:02

francis should quit.

if he can't use his right properly he ain't getting anywhere worthwhile.

either use it properly or hang em up.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 12 Dec 2007, 11:08

hitman_hatton1 wrote:francis should quit.

if he can't use his right properly he ain't getting anywhere worthwhile.

either use it properly or hang em up.

Why should he give it up?... he can still handle most fighters one-handed, and hes got a championship belt... I dare say that he needs to work for a living so I dont see why he shouldnt see how far he can go in boxing, its not as if he's being beaten up or anything....

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 11:08

I disagree with that. He has a brilliant left hand and he has every right to fight. At the very least, I'd be very eager to see him in domestic title fights with the likes of Oakey and Magee. He's one of the few Brits in the game to have genuine, correct, compact, accurate skills. He was a terrific prospect during the late 90s and it's good to see the man in action.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 12 Dec 2007, 11:11

silkov wrote:
hitman_hatton1 wrote:francis should quit.

if he can't use his right properly he ain't getting anywhere worthwhile.

either use it properly or hang em up.
Why should he give it up?... he can still handle most fighters one-handed, and hes got a championship belt... I dare say that he needs to work for a living so I dont see why he shouldnt see how far he can go in boxing, its not as if he's being beaten up or anything....

if he needs the money then fine.

but on saturday's evidence he ain't gonna keep that belt if he gets matched tough for long.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 12 Dec 2007, 11:13

Autobarn wrote:I disagree with that. He has a brilliant left hand and he has every right to fight. At the very least, I'd be very eager to see him in domestic title fights with the likes of Oakey and Magee. He's one of the few Brits in the game to have genuine, correct, compact, accurate skills. He was a terrific prospect during the late 90s and it's good to see the man in action.

Yeah, he used to remind me a bit of John Conteh early in his career and I think if it hadnt been for his injuries he would be a bigger name now than Calzaghe, ...I can only guess at the frustrations he's been through and its admirable that hes come back like he has and hopefully he can take it further and make some decent money...
I actually enjoyed his fight, he showed some great skills, he certainly still has something to offer as long as he stays injury free...

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 12 Dec 2007, 12:55

if Francis can only use his right like if did on saturday night, then i'd pick Tony Oakey to beat him on points. Also did Francis almost in down late on in the fight on saturday?

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2007, 13:00

I think he can use it more if required. perhaps he doesn't use it unless he needs to. those left hooks to the body would do away with Oakey's bulging stomach. Forget the right hand. The left hooks that bent Ayittey powers in half would do Oakey, but he may have to tap him with the right hand to set up the body hook. Oakey not in the same class.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 12 Dec 2007, 13:12

Very average I thought. His right hand is clearly not right or he has some psychological problem about throwing it. He's not going to get far one handed.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 12 Dec 2007, 13:47

i think some of you are underestimating Oakey, ok he's not pretty to watch sometimes, and not a 1 punch ko guy. But he's hard to beat, and i think he'd outhustle the version of Francis we saw on saturday

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 12 Dec 2007, 14:00

Was looking forward to seeing what Francis was going to deliver, but it never got going.

He must be mightily disappointed with his showing on Saturday.

STP · Post by **STP** » 12 Dec 2007, 20:29

Didn't Chris Eubank say that Francis was the best British super-middleweight apart from himself??

(He sparred with him)

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 13 Dec 2007, 07:30

STP wrote:Didn't Chris Eubank say that Francis was the best British super-middleweight apart from himself??

(He sparred with him)

How long ago was that, though?

I started this thread to see whether the TV had added more insight to what I had seen.
I agree that he boxed well & showed excellent ring generalship to boss this contest.

Given the injuries, he has done well to make it back at all, but, as has been pointed out, he will need to be punching with two good hands to beat tougher opposition.