Julius Francis was Wrong

I'm sure you've seen the clip going around of Julius Francis knocking out a particularly disruptive guest at Boxpark with a single right hook. Personally, I was tucking into bed when I saw the news story and decided to check out the video for myself. Well less than a minute later I was typing it into my notes to remember for later. Yeah, I didn't like what I saw.

Needless to say that anyone who has seen the video has to agree that he went too far. They didn't, but I think they're wrong. The guest DID lash out at some people, however in the exact moment he stared down Francis, he didn't do anything. It must have come as a surprise when he woke up on the floor. I don't have to tell anyone why that is awful to watch.

As the much larger man, with professional boxing experience too, it is his responsibility to use that skill and experience wisely. But knocking out a disruptive guest (a guest who hadn't swung at Francis first) is just fine. And I get it. I do. Respect strength and all that. But everyone in support of Francis must have had a partial lobotomy because all I saw was a man utilising way more force than was really necessary. A man in a position of responsibility, no less. At no point was the guest putting Francis in any danger, especially the kind that would require him to use such force. It was unprofessional and downright disappointing to see. 

Many fighters are told by their coaches never to use their power in such a way. Defense, sport, that's fine. However such an unnecessarily violent conclusion is disgusting. Francis could have forced the guest to leave without resorting to such means – that's his bloody job. If I remember correctly, bouncers and security workers are to use force as a last resort. Nothing about this was a last resort. Disgusting.