Exclusive Boxing Interview: Dean Francis

Basingstoke based light heavyweight Dean Francis is on a roll of late, having won his last six fights and annexing the Commonwealth and IBO Intercontinental titles this year.

The 33 year old enjoyed an amazing start to his career, winning both the British and European Super Middleweight titles in 1997 and the WBO Intercontinental the nexy year before suffering what was thought to be a career ending injury in a bout against Undra White in 1998.

By 2002, Francis was back in the ring and a year later mounted a failed bid at the British title during which he dislocated a shoulder early in the fight only to lose a close decision to Matthew Barney.

After a two year hiatus, Francis returned to boxing in 2005 as a cruiserweight and won four bouts, picking up the English crown over Tommy Eastwood in 2006.

This year, Francis ran his record to 28-3 (23) by dropping down to light heavy and stopping Ovill McKenzie for the Commonwealth title and Ayitey Powers for the IBO Intercontinental belt.

SaddoBoxing was lucky enough to catch up with Dean in this exclusive interview where he talks about his remarkable career and bright future.

SaddoBoxing: Congratulations on your recent dominant performances, you’ve collected your fair share of titles throughout your career so far and coming off your last two fights, you must have a lot of momentum going for you right now; are you pleased with how well things are going for you?

Dean Francis: “Yes definitely pleased about what is happening in my career. I have been boxing since I was eight years old and since that age I have been saying I want to become the champion of the world.

“And now, I feel that the dream is finally becoming a reality considering all the things that have happened in my career. I am now becoming more and more excited about the fact that I am going to become the champion of the world.”

SB: You have had a stint at cruiserweight and won an English title at the weight; how does that compare to you now finding more success at light heavyweight? And do you feel comfortable fighting at and making the light heavyweight limit?

DF: “The fact that I came down to light heavyweight was purely down to me being in the gym on a daily basis and the weight falling off naturally. It wasn’t a struggle to come down to light heavyweight and if the money was right and there was a world title on the line, I could quite easily get down to super middleweight. But that is not my intention; I enjoy fighting at light heavyweight as I feel I can achieve optimum success in my performance in the ring.

SB: You have had some great performances of late; a couple of great knockout wins in your last two fights. An absolute stunner of a first round TKO against McKenzie, and a ninth round KO in your last IBO Intercontinental title bout with Ayitey Powers. That says enough about your power, but what is it that has given you this great momentum to carry on with you career in such an exciting fashion, and in your opinion, what is it that will continue to take you on to success in your future?

DF: “I think the fact that I stepped out of boxing for a few years has allowed me to stay fresh when it comes to my ability. As always, my momentum is inspired by one day becoming champion of the world. That has never stopped and that was one of the hardest things I had to deal with when I retired.

“I think that one of the things that will ensure continued success has to be my heart in the ring. I box from the heart and obviously with a touch of class. (Laughs) But seriously, I think as an older fighter, I am more focused, dedicated and determined as I feel I have a lot to prove, but not to anyone else, to myself. From a very young age I have been called champ by family and friends, now it is time to start to living up to the name.”

SB: Not to steal the thunder away from your recent success in the division, but do you draw inspiration for another English light heavyweight, Clinton Woods, who came back from his own setbacks to become one of the top men in the weight class?

DF: “Yes, I definitely feel inspiration from Clinton Woods and having met him previously, I think he is a nice guy. In my eyes, that means a lot when we are talking about the champion of the world because of the position they are in, the way they are looked upon, I think it is only fitting a nice guy holds that title.

“I think Clinton Woods has improved 100% , I think he is another boxer who fights from the heart and as you already know, I think that makes a good fighter. I would love the opportunity to box Clinton Woods as obviously he has a world title and hopefully that can be arranged in the not too distant future… hint hint.”

SB: Right now, you have a lot going for you; a decent record, a decent world ranking and some major titles. Assuming that breaking into the world scene and the big fights is what you want, do you have a specific plan of action or any fighters in particular that you want to fight in order to get you up there with the rest?

DF: “I think that a fight with Antonio Tarver would be a great fight to have as Tarver has boxed and beaten great fighters. So when I beat him, the effect that will have on my confidence and career will only be a massively positive one. I don’t mean to come across arrogant but as fighters we need to have self-belief because if you doubt, then you have lost.”

SB: In closing, who would you like to fight next? And have you anything to say to your fans at SaddoBoxing.com?

DF: “I have been ordered to defend my Commonwealth title before the end of September 2007 so that is my plan at this present time. Who that fight will be with, I am not sure. Hopefully someone with an exceptional record or favoured to win or looked upon as having a good as chance as me a winning as to propel me even higher in the ratings. Every fight I have, has to be against an opponent of a very high standard in order to bring out the best in me.

“And now a message to everyone who has followed my career from when I started professional fighting to present, I would like to thank you for your support and your belief in me and I feel that my job now is to satisfy your belief in me. Thanks and hope to see you at the next fight.”

SB: Thanks again Dean and we look forward to seeing and hearing from you in future.