Julius Francis out of a job after having security licence suspended for KOing rowdy man with one punch as bouncer
JULIUS FRANCIS has revealed he is still out of work after having his security licence suspended for knocking out a rowdy punter earlier this month.
The former heavyweight boxer, who once fought Mike Tyson, was arrested after laying down the aggressive man with one punch outside BOXPARK Wembley.
Francis, 57, was released with no further action taken after a glowing testimony from his manager – who called him “one of the nicest men I’ve met” – as well as eye-witnesses and CCTV footage.
But he has now revealed he is still banned from working at the North London venue after the security authority industry suspended his licence.
Francis told TMZ Sports the yob had been violent inside BOXPARK Wembley and even spat on punters before the shocking scenes outside the venue, before claiming: “I was arrested… and rightly so.
“If doormen are seen to be physically violent and something like that happens, then police are more than allowed to come and do their job.
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“I wasn’t worried about that, because I was defending myself.
“The guy came up to me and he’d already been violent, struck a couple of doormen, pushed them, punched them, went at a couple of patrons.
“As that happened he turned around and made a B-line to me.
“He was calling me names… it doesn’t harm me, but I have the right to defend myself.
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“That’s what I did as he came towards me, raising his hands like he was going to actually strike me.”
On his arrest, Francis continued: “I was taken to the police station and was there for about four-and-a-half hours.
“But they said no further action would be taken in this case because of statements from my manager and people who were are at the door.
“They looked at our CCTV and saw what happened.”
But Francis confirmed he was STILL off work after having his security licence suspended following the one-punch KO.
He added: “The security authority industry called the SIA actually suspended my licence to work.
“I can’t work at the moment, so I’m trying to get that sorted so I can get back to work as soon as possible.”
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Francis’ boss, Roger Wade, had earlier backed the former boxer with a heartfelt post on LinkedIn.
Wade wrote: “Woke up to a viral story about one of our security team.
“Julius Francis, ex UK heavyweight boxing champion, is one of the nicest people I have ever met and helps train young underprivileged kids boxing in his spare time.
“My understanding is that Julius and our security team spent 15 minutes stopping this man and his friends from abusing, spitting and hitting our customers and staff.
“They carefully escorted him from the premises under constant provocation and violence.
“Finally the person approached Julius in a confrontational manner and he defended himself.
“Acts of violence or abuse to any staff members should never be tolerated.
“How would you react if someone approached you violently? What would you do next if you were in my shoes? #istandwithjulius.”
In the shocking viral clip, a group of men appear to be arguing with security staff outside the popular North London food and drink venue.
One guy in particular grows irate and starts yelling “f*** you”.
But as he begins to walk towards Francis, who is seen taking steps back, the ex-fighter, who fought Tyson in 2000, lands a right hand and drops the man to the ground.
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Cops and Francis’ employer had revealed they were investigating, but both probes were swiftly dropped.
Francis has since revealed he’s up for a rematch with Iron Mike.