Francis turned down John McDermmott!

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 11 Sep 2003, 18:15

According to an interview with Anthony Evans at Secondsout Julius Francis revealed that the only deal he been offered with a name domestic rival was with John McDermott.

Francis turned it down saying McDermott wasn't a big enough name, and says that he deserves to be in the Williams, Hide, Sprott, Harrison mix. While I agree he should be certainly involved, perhaps a victory (if he got the job done) over an undefeated fighter would have got him in the mix.

I thought it was interesting though as its been suggested on other boards that McDermott will be remain on the DIET (excuse the gag) of Bums that he's been fed.

Obviously for Francis to have said that shows that maybe Sports Network have more confidence about him than what other people have implied and look like their ready to let him go.

I thought it was interesting anyway.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 12 Sep 2003, 05:12

Interesting stuff, what has Francis done lately do deserve anything more than McDermott? Not being funny but after beating Nielsen he was in turn stopped by Sam which puts him back to square one. I mean he may think he is back in the mix after stopping a prospect but what i Steffn Nielsen over here apart form just a name? Francis-McDermott would have been interesting, bad move Julius.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 12 Sep 2003, 10:50

Steve I can see where your coming from, but a few points.

Victory over Neilson followed by a defeat by Sam doesn't but you back in to square one. Sam was a much sterner test than Neilson, a significant step up.

However, his subsequent defeat (which I've heard wasn't controversial) does put you back in that position. However, Francis's step one is still on a higher rung than McDermott (and Harrison) his step one is still in British Title mix, which McDermott is not in the hunt for.

Although I agree, a win would instil alot of confidence in Julius, and would confirm to domestic audiences he still a threat.

I thought it was interesting from the SN perspective that they were prepared to unleash Big Bad John on Francis.

I think at this moment Francis would weather an early storm, but eventually score a KO cause I have my doubts about McDermotts stamina (for rather large obvious reasons!).

tolstoy · Post by **tolstoy** » 13 Sep 2003, 07:12

stujones wrote:Steve I can see where your coming from, but a few points.

Victory over Neilson followed by a defeat by Sam doesn't but you back in to square one. Sam was a much sterner test than Neilson, a significant step up.

Sam was undeniably a better class of opponent and defeat at his hands, at least on paper, isn't a total disaster. What was disastrous, however, was Francis' performance. He was absolutely shocking. He was slow and sluggish and had absolutely no snap or sparkle and brought nothing to the ring, being finally stopped by a couple of innocuous looking body shots which, five years ago perhaps, he could've taken.

With one win from six fights, Francis has nowhere left to go. He should have taken the McDermott fight, if only for the money. McDermott is going nowhere fast and sooner or later he'll be exposed and Francis will retire and then we can get on with the business of dealing with real British heavyweights.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 13 Sep 2003, 07:28

I agree Tolstoy, Francis did indeed look sluggish and one paced against Sam, Eurosport commentator Steve Holdsworth thought he looked pretty sharp and gave him a few of the early rounds. I don't often disagree with Holdsworth i like him bit i think he was wrong in this instance.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Sep 2003, 07:28

Apparently Francis did fight Sam with broken ribs - and although he showed little ambition posed one or two more questions than Danny Williams did.

Just suprised that Sport Network asked for this fight, I thought allegedly enjoys having a heavyweight with a similar record to Harrison and enjoys calling Harrison out to fight his prospect on his website, knowing the chances of the fight taking place is remote.

It all went wrong for Sports Network and Matthew Ellis (when Ellis lost) so I am surprised Frank was prepared to risk McDermott's record, and Julius Francis is definately a big risk for McDermott.

Riddick Bowie · Post by **Riddick Bowie** » 20 Sep 2003, 08:21

julius is nothing more than an old, soft punching journeyman.

hes lost his last 3 fights to nobodies yet he thinks he shoudl be in with the big boys?

jules, get real mate. his performance v samil sam was embarrassing, he didnt even try to win and quit like a coward as soon as he had outlasted danny williams 6 rounds.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 20 Sep 2003, 08:49

francis will always give fighters problems if they dont have one punch knock out power,

Riddick Bowie · Post by **Riddick Bowie** » 20 Sep 2003, 08:53

he didnt give sinan samil sam any problems whatsoever and sam is a slow soft punching and flabby plodder.

he didnt give the last 2 guys any problems either.

he is just an old journeyman quitter with no pride in his work and nothing going for him whatsoever.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 20 Sep 2003, 11:03

Neil (The Bounty) Hunter wrote:he didnt give sinan samil sam any problems whatsoever and sam is a slow soft punching and flabby plodder.

he didnt give the last 2 guys any problems either.

he is just an old journeyman quitter with no pride in his work and nothing going for him whatsoever.

Lol, that seems a little harsh but not so far from the truth.