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Fight Preview
CNNSI.com's Evan Kanew analyzes the Tyson-Francis showdown.
Matchup to watch: Tyson vs. Tyson. Will the thug who bit Evander Holyfield, tried to break Francois Botha's arm and hit Orlin Norris after the bell beat himself this time? Dead Man Walking?: Look into Julius Francis' eyes as he makes his way to the ring. Will Tyson's latest British opponent succumb to the same paralyzing fear that gripped Frank Bruno -- the last of her majesty's subjects to fight Tyson -- during his ringwalk? Or does Tyson no longer have that aura of terror? Tale of the Rap Sheets: In addition to his lengthy juvenile record, Tyson has done three years in prison for rape and last year served four months for assault. His opponent may not be as notorious, but British newspapers report that the palooka from Peckham is a former "soccer hooligan" who served jail time 10 years ago for causing "grievous bodily harm." And if anybody calls him Francis... Location, Location, Location: Tyson (46-3, 40 KO, 1 NC) has never fought in England. His record outside the U.S. is 1-1 (TKO 10 to Buster Douglas, Tokyo, 1990; KO 2 to Tony Tubbs, Tokyo, 1988). Francis (21-7, 11 KO) is 17-3 in England. Common opponent: Conroy Nelson. (Tyson KO 2, 1985; Francis TKO 4, 1994). Experience: Over the course of his career Tyson is by far more battle-tested than this unknown ham-n-egger. But in 1999, Francis had more fights (three to Tyson's two), boxed more rounds (27-4) and scored more wins (3-1), though against weak competition. Tyson, at age 33, is two years younger than the unknown Brit. Tyson wins if: He scores an explosive knockout. Anything less is no victory in the big picture. Francis wins if: His fundamentals are sound, he's patient and Tyson is rusty. Though Francis has a slight size edge at a husky 6'2", 240, the raw tools and power are no contest. Francis can only hope to frustrate Tyson (5'11 1/2", 225) into making mistakes. Prediction: Tyson goes bangers and mash on Francis.
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