BoxRec

TerribleTerry wrote:Just to clarify Keeton KO'ed Francis not Dunstan

OK sorry, well Keeton-Francis maybe 30-1 and McKenzie-Dunstan 20-1. Whatever, the chances of having probably the 7 and 8-ranked of the eight ending up in the final were astronomical.

Ovill was by far the fittest and most active of the fighters, it makes sense in hindsight - but not at the time.

Francis has no business at cruiserweight, he simply cannot take the licks.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Ovill was by far the fittest and most active of the fighters, it makes sense in hindsight - but not at the time.

Francis has no business at cruiserweight, he simply cannot take the licks.

I would not have thought that FRancis would have been too 'fragile' at cruiser ahead of time. He looked solid and robust enough to me in previous fights. (Remember the winner is slightly shorter and less heavily built than the BAsingstoke man).

Ovil would have been a brave pick ahead of time - his lack of size, late inclusion and KO loss to Francis marked him out as one to go out early in my book.

Thats what made this tournament so exciting - upset after upset!

Yep... was a great nights entertainment

Old bones Ian wrote:

Autobarn wrote:horrible

how sad that francis had to "drop" to this level after his brilliant win over oakey not that long ago. british and commonwealth light heavy titles...and the guy who wins prize fighter is the guy he sparked easily. what a horrile bitter irony

Well we did also have Dunstan and Scott who have fought for world titles, Keeton a former British champ, Corbett was a former commonwealth champ , Simpson a British champ, and even Steeds had fought for a British heavy title.

So i would say that Francis although the most talented boxer there (at one time), wasn't head and shoulders above everyone else on his ring achievements.

I don't know, Francis was knocking guys out for domestic and Euro titles at super middle, and was knocking guys out in domestic/Commonwealth title fights at light heavy, and at one time was a world class prospect.

Well done to McKenzie, he's worked hard for his success. But Francis so utterly outclassed and dismissed the guy very, very early in a proper title fight with a proper # of rounds. And how far does winning Prize Fighter get you? Only Prize Fighter who's gone on to main events and title fights is Rogan & that was short lived (though he's given some real excitement). PF is not good for classy skilled fighters who take their time.

I don't know the reasons behind Francis' career flop this time. I mean, he had titles, that he had won in spectacular fashion. Franky got him a WBO title shot (allegedly) and he ends up drawing to Vegas and losing in Prize Fighter at cruiser, hardly boxing's glamour division. Hard to say that this highly talented fighter has much of a career left. If winning PF doesn't boost your marketability, you can bet losing in it dents you big time.

Never thought Francis was a cruiserweight, even though he won the English title. Too stocky, slows him down, can't get out of the way fast enough, not a puncher above light heavy. Sad, sad end but hey, he had a fine run at light heavy and few of us will forget that Oakey fight.

Nearly had a nightmare last night. I betted 300 on francis to win prize fighter before his semi final fight with keaton. I then betted 600 on mckenzie in the final to win the fight and made about 370 profit, so was lucky this time.

McKenzie is suited for the prizefighter he can go wild for 3 rounds and then get a break saw him against Agisafe he looked hopeless in the last round dont think he'll beat Norton over 12 rounds late stoppage for Norton i think

just got over my hangover form last night

what a great Prizefighter....my tickets didnt arrive in the post but the lovely ladies sorted us out.....GO Matchroom !

this was cracking

and i just loved reading Team Dunstan posts over the last 2 months....

there was no way terry was winning this.

but how many shocks were there ??

I still think Krencey would have taken it ...but Ovil comes in and smashes them all

what was he 50-1 ?

no one saw that

prizefighter is here to stay (from middleweight up only )

next one should be a big heavyweight one and maybe even chuck a few more quid in the pot ? get the likes of sprott and mcdermot in


im so exciting DD

I was very confident, but worse things happen at Sea. My Father was at Dunkirk when the First shot was Fired. When the 2nd one was Fired He was back in Dover, well done Ovill and Happy Birthday Buster.

Francis has a sexy left-hook but even if he won this, he won't go nowhere. You just can't win fights with one arm, against quality opponents. I can't recall him throwing one right I the whole two fights. Unlucky on him, as he does have skills.

I hope he keeps good on his word to retire if he didn't win last night.

Dioufy wrote:Francis has a sexy left-hook but even if he won this, he won't go nowhere. You just can't win fights with one arm, against quality opponents. I can't recall him throwing one right I the whole two fights. Unlucky on him, as he does have skills.

I hope he keeps good on his word to retire if he didn't win last night.

He did throw a couple against Simpson. Actually looked full blooded attempts.

He just isn't a crusierweight. It's a massive shame he didn't get one, last, big payday after that win over Oakey.

Congratulations to McKenzie. He did a top job a beating the bigger men.

A much improved show on the Lightweight version. Perhaps Hearn should keep total control after Gilmour's debacle last time.


Re: Dean Francis, remember Francis did win the English Cruiserweight title of ten rounds and weighing 14st, but i've always said light heavy is his best division.

Both the punches that put Francis down, particulary the last one, were back of the head shots. Not on purpose no doubt, but they have a very bad effect.