Tweet
Dean Francis: What Could Have Been.
I remember when Hampshire boy, Dean Francis, turned pro. If I remember rightly his old man was head of the British Olympic boxing training or something - not exactly a stellar recommendation when you think about the UK's barren spell between 1968 & 2000. But I had high hopes for him & I remember Boxing News giving him a bit of a write up.
In his 10th bout (he was 9(7)-0) he got stopped by big punching Jaffa Ballogou in ten rounds. Jaffa beat (or tested) more than a few prospects & Dean was still only 21 & then reeled off a dozen consecutive knockouts before dislocating his shoulder in a 2 round loss to trial-horse Undra White.
That was the beginning of the end. His shoulder never fully healed & he got prison time for an after boozer fight in Basingstoke (I've also had a late night barney in that *****hole). His next bout was almost 4 years later & he then got outhustled by the mediocre Matthew Barney - again with the shoulder apparently to blame.
After that another 2 years between fights then he went on a decent run with wins against Ovill McKenzie & Tony Oakey before entering a Prizefighter & losing in the semi by kayo to fan favourite Buster Keeton in a huge shock.
He was heralded by many as a future World Champ but will now attempt another comeback at almost 39. I doubt it will end good but I wish him the best. But for injuries & a (maybe not his fault) prison sentence he could have/should have been a contender.
In his 10th bout (he was 9(7)-0) he got stopped by big punching Jaffa Ballogou in ten rounds. Jaffa beat (or tested) more than a few prospects & Dean was still only 21 & then reeled off a dozen consecutive knockouts before dislocating his shoulder in a 2 round loss to trial-horse Undra White.
That was the beginning of the end. His shoulder never fully healed & he got prison time for an after boozer fight in Basingstoke (I've also had a late night barney in that *****hole). His next bout was almost 4 years later & he then got outhustled by the mediocre Matthew Barney - again with the shoulder apparently to blame.
After that another 2 years between fights then he went on a decent run with wins against Ovill McKenzie & Tony Oakey before entering a Prizefighter & losing in the semi by kayo to fan favourite Buster Keeton in a huge shock.
He was heralded by many as a future World Champ but will now attempt another comeback at almost 39. I doubt it will end good but I wish him the best. But for injuries & a (maybe not his fault) prison sentence he could have/should have been a contender.
Comment