Francis v Oakey

[mike john]

hows this one gonna go then?

[DavidPayne]

Good fight. Francis schools him for 5 or 6 before Oakey's work rate begins to bring him into the fight. I think Francis takes a razor thin one.

[Autobarn]

Could be like the Baker fight of about 10 years ago, which was a tough one that saw Francis' power and accuracy pay off. This time Dean won't use the right hand freely. Francis will start sharp hopefully, and dig that belly of Oakey which is a bit soft. If Dean boxes smart and mixes in brutal body shots, he'll be able to ride out the rough periods and control the final 3 for a UD.

[Poncey]

Have heard Francis is looking sharp but I'm gonna have to go with Tony. I have a feeling there may only be a point or two in it.

[deadpan]

Gotta go with Oakey pts. Dean is virtually a one-armed fighter these days and if he doesn't get his fighter out there early he struggles. Oakey's work rate will tell.

[mike john]

im going down to portsmouth to see the fight on the 13th to support francis, but know very little about oakey. what kind of fighter is he?

[Deserter]

Probably heart ruling head on this one, but I'm going for Francis on points. Even a 'damaged' Dean is a class above Oakey and he punches harder as well. If the shoulder holds up I think he'll do the business.

[DavidPayne]

Oakey is a swarmer, throws lots of shots square on. In my opinion. Francis is much better with distance, rangier and as well documented fights 95% one handed due to lack of faith in right shoulder, supposedly healed, but apparentley a reluctant part of Francis' armoury.

[THEBUTCH]

A fully fit, two armed Francis would beat Oakey, but this is not the same Francis we all knew in his heyday.

With Oakey getting close and working away I can quite easily see Dean getting outworked. Surely Francis can't control a rough house like Oakey behind the left hand alone? Mind you, if Dean lands a left hook on Oakey like the one he planted on Ovill McKenzie....