Joe Fournier - a few questions

[RJP]

The farce of last night's card has already been done to death already: hideous mismatches, pantomime presentation, a non-boxing crowd purely interested in 'being there,' and the cynical building of Haye-Briggs into a meaningful fight.... The who thing was risible and arguably brought the whole sport into disrepute. It's certainly ended any respect I may have had for Mr Haye (was this really the guy who went to Paris and beat Mormeck?).

The thing that really intrigued me was this 'Millionaire Playboy' who was inexplicably given prominence on what was admittedly a shocking undercard, like some poundshop Tony Stark.

Anyway, a few questions are left hanging in the air......

1) how did a novice white collar fighter in his mid-40s get a British license? Or was he fighting on a spurious overseas licence?

2) why is a bloke who's based in a city like Miami having all his fights in the Dominican Republic?

3) how can this bloke be parachuted into a televised slot on a big show at the O2? What's his relationship with Haye?

4) in light of all the above, how much contempt did this highlight between the promoter and the audience?

Last night was IMO a huge low point for British boxing.

[ElJefe]

Is this the one they said could fight Bellew in a few fights time?

[tobyh5]

Is he in his 40's? I thought I heard the age 28 mentioned as I raised eyebrows, partly of pure jealousy, that a kid of 28 had done so well financially and professionally.

* Daily Fail has an article saying 33

[RJP]

The Bellew comment was hilarious. Love him or loathe him, Tony would decapitate this bloke.

Fournier's DOB wasn't listed on Boxrec, which in itself is suss, but I'd guess looking at him, he's north of 40.

Any conspiracy theorists out there want to hazard a guess as to how an ageing White collar fighter ended up on live TV after beating up three novices in the Dominican Republic???

[TerribleTerry]

I reckon Haye met him on the miami night club scene. Joe told Haye how he likes to 'do a bit' whilst they were both charged off their nuts and, before you know it, he is turning over and boxing pro

[RJP]

I reckon Haye met him on the miami night club scene. Joe told Haye how he likes to 'do a bit' whilst they were both charged off their nuts and, before you know it, he is turning over and boxing pro

I wouldn't be surprised if there was some business connection.

[Diddyb]

Is this the one they said could fight Bellew in a few fights time?

Pmsl I heard this too, bet bomber is shitting his pants at the thought of meeting this frightening puncher.

[CharlesListon]

He's in his 30's.

He used to play basketball, got injured and turned to white collar at 28.

He's fought bums in Dominican Republic probably because even the club/casino circuit would be too much for him in Miami.

Fair chance he helped financed last night and got rewarded accordingly.

Even being mentioned in the same paragraph as Belleville was hilarious.

If he fights any novice cruiser/light heavy from over here he'll get done.

[rpms]

Is this the one they said could fight Bellew in a few fights time?

Definitely on PPV if that happens

[RJP]

He's in his 30's.

He used to play basketball, got injured and turned to white collar at 28.

He's fought bums in Dominican Republic probably because even the club/casino circuit would be too much for him in Miami.

Fair chance he helped financed last night and got rewarded accordingly.

Even being mentioned in the same paragraph as Belleville was hilarious.

If he fights any novice cruiser/light heavy from over here he'll get done.

That's pretty much what I suspected on all counts.

I'm still interested as to whether Dave paid for the rights or whether Hayemaker bought the air time.

[Stuarty]

I've never heard of this guy? Is he any good?

[CharlesListon]

Depends who you talk to.

Comedy channel Dave think he's great. A future hall of famer once he beats Bellew.

His entourage know he's going to be the next great.

The rest of us think he's shit.

[banjo]

He's in his 30's.

He used to play basketball, got injured and turned to white collar at 28.

He's fought bums in Dominican Republic probably because even the club/casino circuit would be too much for him in Miami.

Fair chance he helped financed last night and got rewarded accordingly.

Even being mentioned in the same paragraph as Belleville was hilarious.

If he fights any novice cruiser/light heavy from over here he'll get done.

That's pretty much what I suspected on all counts.

I'm still interested as to whether Dave paid for the rights or whether Hayemaker bought the air time.

I'd suspect the latter, it's a budget TV channel.

[Syntax Error]

I'm glad you're asking these questions because I didn't have a clue who he was & I couldn't fathom what was going on when they mentioned Bellew's name!

I know 'Bellow' isn't exactly Bob Foster, although, if he fought as well as he talked, he'd be ranked well above him in all-time lists, but he's galaxy apart from this Fournier bloke.

Comical!

[RJP]

It was very surreal they were building him up and talking about him during the fight as if he was a serious contender, rather than a bloke whose only previous fights had involved beating up novices in the Dominican Republic. All very suss.

[Rexob]

I've never heard of this guy? Is he any good?

No he is shi.t reminds of that Jorge Kahwagi.

[Verdi]

He'll never lose a pro fight, he's too rich.

[peter1948]

You have to realise they had people talking who knew nothing about boxing. Darren Barker was introduced as a former European champion & not world champion. One said Joe Frazier came from Pennsylvania instead of Philadelphia & to say this novice would be ready for Bellew after a few more fights was an absolute joke. The girl in the white dress looked nice but clearly knew nothing about boxing. Id be surprised if any of them could tell you Jack Dempsey's real name? The show was sub standard with bad TV coverage, talking out of sync, I'm so glad I didn't have to pay for it.

[keithmoonhangover]

He's a guy who wants to give boxing a go. So he fought a guy who wasn't very good.

People are acting like they've never seen a mismatch before.

Every card I've ever been to had mismatches on it. Nowt new there.

[lefty]

You have to realise they had people talking who knew nothing about boxing. Darren Barker was introduced as a former European champion & not world champion. One said Joe Frazier came from Pennsylvania instead of Philadelphia & to say this novice would be ready for Bellew after a few more fights was an absolute joke. The girl in the white dress looked nice but clearly knew nothing about boxing. Id be surprised if any of them could tell you Jack Dempsey's real name? The show was sub standard with bad TV coverage, talking out of sync, I'm so glad I didn't have to pay for it.

Philadelphia is in Pennsylvania.

[Sklar]

Quid pro quo.

[reggaereggae]

He's a guy who wants to give boxing a go. So he fought a guy who wasn't very good.

People are acting like they've never seen a mismatch before.

Every card I've ever been to had mismatches on it. Nowt new there.

True. But I guess the question is, why he was chief support?

He's better than Flintoff

[handsofstone]

None of you guys know talent,thats your problem,former European champ Darren Baker liked him and i reckon he smashes that Rory Bellew chap

[keithmoonhangover]

He's a guy who wants to give boxing a go. So he fought a guy who wasn't very good.

People are acting like they've never seen a mismatch before.

Every card I've ever been to had mismatches on it. Nowt new there.

True. But I guess the question is, why he was chief support?

He's better than Flintoff

Briggs was the chief support or co-main. Why? If I had to guess, I'd say the novelty factor. But ultimately, it's ust two dude in the ring punching each other.

[CharlesListon]

It was shit.