Setanta domestic news (Dean Francis)

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 14 Oct 2007, 14:40

We've not been found wanting for US coverage on Setanta and thankfully we have more domestic on the way (after the recent shows with Woods, Matthews, Simpson, Dunne).

The excellent Dean Francis defends his Commonwealth title vs Michael Gbenga of Nigeria, promoted by Dennis Hobson. Dec 1, Belfast. Loved watching the recent comeback of Deano - his skills are sublime - and I bastard well hope this leads to a fight with IBF champ Woods.

Great news that Francis is fighting back on TV. The last 2 wins (KOs of Ovill McKenzie, who dropped Denis Inkin in a loss a few yrs back, & Ayittey Powers) were more than worthy to have been on cable.

rhino222 · Post by **rhino222** » 14 Oct 2007, 15:09

so..does dean now have a promotional deal with dennis hobson? perhaps spud can help us out with that one.

francis is a top operator, just hope his shoulder holds out. the fact that he is now with hobson, if indeed he is, could lead to a build up to a tilt at woods crown, not difficult to organise scraps between 2 of your own fighters.

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 14 Oct 2007, 15:27

I've always thought Francis was absolute class but I'd be amazed if Hobson would put him in with Woods... at this point in Clinton's career that would constitute the worst kind of high risk, little reward fight and from a business/promoter's perspective a crazy match to make. Far better to try and get Francis into a position to fight for another version of the world title and then, potentially, a unification fight.
However, that's clearly some way off and the likelihood is that either Francis's shoulder will go again or Clinton will get dethroned in the interim..

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 14 Oct 2007, 15:33

Said in BM that he was getting his shoulder back in order after surgery so good to see him back.

Also good to see more domestic cards on the schedule as I can't get past 3.00am on freeview so nice to have another full card of action!

chesh · Post by **chesh** » 14 Oct 2007, 16:50

Always thought Francis was a very good fighter. I remember watching him take out Starie on Sky. The same Starie who beat Clinton and went 12 with Joe C. Time moves on, though, and just because Clinton lost to the man who was stopped by Francis does not mean he has to face him at the moment. I think Clinton now really deserves a good payday. Considering he holds a major belt, he's not getting the high-profile fights and I think it's time he cashed in. Then, a little further down the line, Francis' shoulder and legal situation(?) permitting, let's get it on!

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 15 Oct 2007, 07:51

Clinton's whole market is the domestic one. We are the guys that appreciate him, because he got to where he is from the domestic/Euro route. So why not Woods vs a class domestic opponent?

Magee and Oakey were basically having an elim to fight Woods but both fought horribly and killed their chance. Francis has been stylish, classy and powerful since the move down to light heavy and come on, this would be a fricking good fight.

Due to the injury, Francis missed getting any kind of international following...Woods won't get Dawson (has a WBC mandatory coming up), Erdei/Drews (too expensive), Hopkins (last "defense" vs a light middleweight), Jones Jr (despite being shot, has a big fight vs fellow shot fighter Trinidad).

Clinton can hope that Tarver loses to Danny Green. Green will be a bloody exciting opponent and it would get Showtime interested.

But us Brits should want Woods v Francis. Francis is out greatest might-have-been of the modern era & Woods holds a world title belt...

That said, I'd like to see Francis blast Oakey out of there for the British title....

fatton · Post by **fatton** » 15 Oct 2007, 08:36

I'd imagine Hobson will look to match Francis with Magee for the Commonwealth belt, seems a far more obvious matchup that Francis and Woods.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 15 Oct 2007, 08:43

But if there's a chance that he culd fight with one arm, you don't want a negative southpaw runner like Magee. It'd be like Barney again (though Deano looks in better shape than he was for Barney). IMO a KO of Oakey would do Francis' standing a lot better.

Lightsoot · Post by **Lightsoot** » 15 Oct 2007, 08:46

Autobarn wrote:But if there's a chance that he culd fight with one arm, you don't want a negative southpaw runner like Magee. It'd be like Barney again (though Deano looks in better shape than he was for Barney). IMO a KO of Oakey would do Francis' standing a lot better.

Since when was Magee a "negative southpaw runner" ? He sure gave it everything against Carl Froch.

thepocketrocket · Post by **thepocketrocket** » 15 Oct 2007, 08:48

Ben Carey wrote:
Autobarn wrote:But if there's a chance that he culd fight with one arm, you don't want a negative southpaw runner like Magee. It'd be like Barney again (though Deano looks in better shape than he was for Barney). IMO a KO of Oakey would do Francis' standing a lot better.
Since when was Magee a "negative southpaw runner" ? He sure gave it everything against Carl Froch.

Hey Sooty, are you back full time now???

chesh · Post by **chesh** » 15 Oct 2007, 08:54

Woods-Francis would be a very interesting fight. I know what you're saying about Woods and the domestic scene, but I think Clinton deserves that retirement money sort of payday I doubt he's had yet. Taking on a shot Jones Jr. would provide that. Or, better still, if the two camps can do business and JC gets past Kessler, Woods v Calzaghe in Cardiff could be huge. I do wish Francis well too and hope it's not too late for his great talent to be rewarded.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 15 Oct 2007, 09:00

Can't see Dennis taking Francis down the woods route, he will probably be next in line for Oakey. maybe get a date for that early next year in bristol or Portsmouth.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 15 Oct 2007, 09:35

chesh wrote:Woods-Francis would be a very interesting fight. I know what you're saying about Woods and the domestic scene, but I think Clinton deserves that retirement money sort of payday I doubt he's had yet. Taking on a shot Jones Jr. would provide that. Or, better still, if the two camps can do business and JC gets past Kessler, Woods v Calzaghe in Cardiff could be huge. I do wish Francis well too and hope it's not too late for his great talent to be rewarded.

I hope Clinton can land a fight with Calzaghe. In a way, THE domestic fight that british boxing needs. If Joe loses to Kessler, Woods can get a big payday by offering Joey a shot.

Internationally, the only thing I can see for Woods is Danny Green. Green should beat the shit out of Tarver, who I doubt can take a fresh fighter's pressure, on Showtime. Green I heard was eyeing Woods up for a time.

All the other guys - Dawson, Jones, Tarver, Hopkins - either have something lined up or their own agendas that won't involve a quality, but unfashionable, Brit.

STP · Post by **STP** » 15 Oct 2007, 10:04

Chris Eubank has said (in private) that Francis is/was the best ever British super middleweight (behind himself). That's heavy shit.

states · Post by **states** » 15 Oct 2007, 10:05

Tarver isn't fighting Green anymore. Last I heard, he was taking on recent Erdei victim George Blades. A crap match if ever there was one. I think Tarver's self-confidence has been badly dented by his last two fights.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 15 Oct 2007, 10:15

states wrote:Tarver isn't fighting Green anymore. Last I heard, he was taking on recent Erdei victim George Blades. A crap match if ever there was one. I think Tarver's self-confidence has been badly dented by his last two fights.

shit, here is an openig for Woods. Showtime may even buy, given it's a quality fight. Woods-Green is a good match.

I take it Tarver-Blades isn't going to be on Showtime. Tarver will have pissed them off big time, by having a fight on a Dawson card but refusing to fight Dawson (therefore killing the whole reason for them being on the same show) and now this...

Boxingmad · Post by **Boxingmad** » 15 Oct 2007, 10:34

I thought Dean was having more problems with the law (a recent arrest, if memory serves). Sounds like things are going OK for him at the mo though, which is good news. Dean's a great fighter.

states · Post by **states** » 15 Oct 2007, 14:16

It seems Tarver-Green is back on:

From Fightnews:

IBO light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver's opponent on December 1 will be former WBC interim super middleweight champion Danny Green after long negotiations with the Green camp were finally completed. Former WBO light heavyweight title challenger George "Honey Boy" Blades had actually been signed to fight Tarver when Traver-Green talks bogged down, however now that "The Green Machine" has come to the table, Tarver-Blades has been scrubbed.

I presume Showtime said something along the lines of "George Blades? fornicate off Antonio".

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:19

I think Green will beat Tarver, who is massively overrated on the back of KOing a weight drained Jones. I don't think Tarver has the gas tank to beat a relentless guy like Green. Hopefully he'll knock the shit out of him in the process!

thepocketrocket · Post by **thepocketrocket** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:20

nickd wrote:I think Green will beat Tarver, who is massively overrated on the back of KOing a weight drained Jones. I don't think Tarver has the gas tank to beat a relentless guy like Green. Hopefully he'll knock the shit out of him in the process!

Relentless?? I think Green is very worried about his stamina

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:27

thepocketrocket wrote:
nickd wrote:I think Green will beat Tarver, who is massively overrated on the back of KOing a weight drained Jones. I don't think Tarver has the gas tank to beat a relentless guy like Green. Hopefully he'll knock the shit out of him in the process!
Relentless?? I think Green is very worried about his stamina

Green is a hard worker and won't give up. If we're talking stamina Tarver has perhaps the worst stamina of any world class fighter I can think of.

thepocketrocket · Post by **thepocketrocket** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:32

nickd wrote:
thepocketrocket wrote:
nickd wrote:I think Green will beat Tarver, who is massively overrated on the back of KOing a weight drained Jones. I don't think Tarver has the gas tank to beat a relentless guy like Green. Hopefully he'll knock the shit out of him in the process!
Relentless?? I think Green is very worried about his stamina
Green is a hard worker and won't give up. If we're talking stamina Tarver has perhaps the worst stamina of any world class fighter I can think of.

I remember the first Beyer fight, one of the German posters commented that he started headbutting cos he was getting tired..he was laughed off the forum!! Everyone thought Green was just an idiot

Then came the rematch..Green just didnt commit himself until the 12th, a sign that our German friend could be telling the truth!!

Following that came the fight when he was taken to hospital due to exhaustion(I think)

Nah, hes brave but isnt a fighting machine

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:39

thepocketrocket wrote:
nickd wrote:
thepocketrocket wrote: Relentless?? I think Green is very worried about his stamina
Green is a hard worker and won't give up. If we're talking stamina Tarver has perhaps the worst stamina of any world class fighter I can think of.
I remember the first Beyer fight, one of the German posters commented that he started headbutting cos he was getting tired..he was laughed off the forum!! Everyone thought Green was just an idiot

Then came the rematch..Green just didnt commit himself until the 12th, a sign that our German friend could be telling the truth!!

Following that came the fight when he was taken to hospital due to exhaustion(I think)

Nah, hes brave but isnt a fighting machine

Perhaps not then, he was struggling at 168 though bear in mind. I am sure he has a lot more stamina than Tarver who blows out of his arse after launching a handful of shots.

thepocketrocket · Post by **thepocketrocket** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:43

nickd wrote:
thepocketrocket wrote:
nickd wrote: Green is a hard worker and won't give up. If we're talking stamina Tarver has perhaps the worst stamina of any world class fighter I can think of.
I remember the first Beyer fight, one of the German posters commented that he started headbutting cos he was getting tired..he was laughed off the forum!! Everyone thought Green was just an idiot

Then came the rematch..Green just didnt commit himself until the 12th, a sign that our German friend could be telling the truth!!

Following that came the fight when he was taken to hospital due to exhaustion(I think)

Nah, hes brave but isnt a fighting machine
Perhaps not then, he was struggling at 168 though bear in mind. I am sure he has a lot more stamina than Tarver who blows out of his arse after launching a handful of shots.

Oh, I pick him to beat Tarver!!

Clinton would rip him I think, would be a great fight for him, and another chance to do the Aussies

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Oct 2007, 16:06

I doubt Woods would rip him, but he could beat him I think it would be close though.