Popov pulls out, old man francis in

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 30 Apr 2004, 14:57

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 30 Apr 2004, 15:03

I've only just found this out. Bloody hell! I see Audley winning this one though, because Francis is way, way past his best.

Eric the Viking · Post by **Eric the Viking** » 30 Apr 2004, 15:05

Francis is pushing 40, and has lost 6 straight, including a UD to Krasniqi. Ouch.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 30 Apr 2004, 15:10

Yes, he aint exactly got youth on his side. But at the same time, at least it is a biggish name for Audley to be fighting.

Eric the Viking · Post by **Eric the Viking** » 30 Apr 2004, 15:12

The Original Hurricane wrote:Yes, he aint exactly got youth on his side. But at the same time, at least it is a biggish name for Audley to be fighting.

"Max Schmeling" would be an even bigger name, but that still doesn't mean I want to see that matchup.

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 30 Apr 2004, 15:30

Be interesting to see how he does especially given Skelton's and others performances against Francis. Some people on this forum think Skelton would beat Harrison

so the analysis of Audley's performance will have a slight added edge.

I know styles make fights before anyone says it!

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 30 Apr 2004, 15:32

and in some ways this might be a better match up than Popov if only for potential durability.

jameswilson · Post by **jameswilson** » 30 Apr 2004, 15:50

Yes I agree, while I think Popov may have been able to hit harder than Francis I think Francis has the durability and experience to extend Audley past 6 rounds. While we may not see Audley's chin tested to its limit, it should be interesting to see if Audley can do the job quicker than Skelton. I must commend Julius Francis, he allegedly had a verbal agreement to face Audley early this year, he then signed for FW, so Im glad to see he has stood by his word. Also I think Eric said Julius lost a UD to Krasniqui, this indicates he took Krasniqui the distance. Julius had been training for a fight this weekend according to the official press release from Audley's web site, this is good news as well as people wont be able to say 'oh come on he aint been training.' Thanks Julius.

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 30 Apr 2004, 15:59

Yes, Julius was due to fight at Gravesend, Kent tomorrow night, so should be in some sort of training. Big ask for Julius, but could be an indicator of just how good and how far Audley may go!

Remember Tyson blitzed Francis in 2 back in 2000, Vitali in 2 in 1998, Williams in 4 in 2001 and Sam in 7 in 2003 as well at points defeats to Krasniq and Skelton

Kev

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 30 Apr 2004, 16:06

Kevin wrote:Yes, Julius was due to fight at Gravesend, Kent tomorrow night, so should be in some sort of training. Big ask for Julius, but could be an indicator of just how good and how far Audley may go!

Remember Tyson blitzed Francis in 2 back in 2000, Vitali in 2 in 1998, Williams in 4 in 2001 and Sam in 7 in 2003 as well at points defeats to Krasniq and Skelton

Kev

Do you know who he was due to fight, Kev?

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 30 Apr 2004, 16:07

That old pro TBA is all I know.. Not sure if it was announced

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 30 Apr 2004, 16:08

Ta. This is a fornicating joke match. Francis' ambition is long gone.

Maddawg · Post by **Maddawg** » 30 Apr 2004, 16:29

Kevin wrote:remember Tyson blitzed Francis in 2 back in 2000,
Kev

Yeah I remember that! Francis went down from a gust of wind, well I presume it was that because Tyson sure didn't connect!

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 30 Apr 2004, 16:33

Yes, didn't he get sponsored by the Sun or the Mirror with the logo on the soles of shoes, showed how much he rated himself!!

Must have got a few bob from it though and to tell the grandkids you've been in with Tyson!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 30 Apr 2004, 16:36

Julius Francis never lets us forget that he fought Tyson. After the Audley fight he'll mention it. "I may have lost, but lets not forget I wasn't afraid when I fought Tyson, and I wasn't afraid then."

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 30 Apr 2004, 18:05

bennie wrote:Ta. This is a fornicating joke match. Francis' ambition is long gone.

Gone in the sense that he probably won't come to win but he still went 10 with Skelton when he could have keeled over after 3 rounds and nobody would have batted an eyelid.

If Harrison bangs Francis out in 2/3 rounds it's decent(ish) result/indicator.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 30 Apr 2004, 18:08

this is gr8

now we'll c if those dodgy performances against the british tryers earlier in his career really were just a case of a lack of experience.

if audley does a number on francis that will give him an up on skelton to.

The REAL McCoy · Post by **The REAL McCoy** » 30 Apr 2004, 18:32

This isnt good

Francis will be only there to survive, like he did against Skelton

Popov would have even been a better opponent!

After all, he almost made 'Big Bad' John Mcdermotts head Popov, & broke his ankle, all with one punch!

McCoy walks bare arsed into the sunset

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 30 Apr 2004, 18:40

The REAL McCoy wrote: McCoy walks bare arsed into the sunset

Popov with you. He's announced as Audley's opponent on Tuesday and pulls out on Friday!

The REAL McCoy · Post by **The REAL McCoy** » 30 Apr 2004, 18:43

bennie wrote:
The REAL McCoy wrote: McCoy walks bare arsed into the sunset
Popov with you. He's announced as Audley's opponent on Tuesday and pulls out on Friday!

Hey, were not together, McCoy & Popov do NOT walk bare arsed into the sunset together!

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 30 Apr 2004, 18:52

The REAL McCoy wrote:
bennie wrote:
The REAL McCoy wrote: McCoy walks bare arsed into the sunset
Popov with you. He's announced as Audley's opponent on Tuesday and pulls out on Friday!
Hey, were not together, McCoy & Popov do NOT walk bare arsed into the sunset together!

No, I insulted you there.

neil r · Post by **neil r** » 30 Apr 2004, 21:34

interesting at the very very best. you can hear the post fight interview with audley now after his inevitable and predictable win..... " i beat a guy who fought tyson.... i avenged my amateur defeat.... people say i wont fight the big domestic names, i fought one now.... this is another stepping stone against an established ex british champ... its a process about winning a world title" blah de blah de blah.

the beeb will build it up to being a titanic struggle, while we all know its pish. john inverdale will spout his usual disinterested amateurish crap believing the beebs own hype, steve bunce will fill the programme with his hyperactive hyperbole, woodhall will knock them down with his pragmatism and all screened at half past 12 on a saturday night when no-ones watchin and no-one really cares

.

bugs · Post by **bugs** » 01 May 2004, 04:33

Agreed with the summations of the Beeb commentators/host by the way, I like Woodhall, but the rest are annoying and underinformed, or at least act that way.

As for Francis, he was a washed up fighter when he got thrashed by Tyson, so what does that make him now? The only way this fight will tell us anything is if he beats Audley "The Chump" Harrison, which is not really a possibily, as if it were audley would not have taken the fight.

i wish that the Beeb would stop showing Harrison and Sky dont pick him up, that way he would realise that until he fights someone of quality we dont care. But he was spoiled by a first 10 pro fights deal that means we had to watch him 'mature' as a fighter. Well he is so old now, that any maturing had better be done, or he will end up like Sanders, old and fat for his first attempt at a real title. Although I dont thin k he will ever be as good as an aged Sanders.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 01 May 2004, 05:54

So old man Francis gets his first World Title shot!!!!

Well I suppose Aud had to meet Francis at some point, there's just no getting around it as a Brit heavyweight.
Should be an 8 rounder down the bill though, not a headliner.

I reckon Harrison hits harder than Skelton - Aud KO 6.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 01 May 2004, 06:02

This fight doesn't really interest me, I expect Harrison to steam roller Julius. He has the skills to open Francis up, were as Skelton didn't.

Harrison by early stoppage :)