Ex-European champ Francis back in town (From Swindon Advertiser)

Ex-European champ Francis back in town

6:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in Sport By Steve Butt

FORMER British, Commonwealth and European champion Dean Francis will fight at Swindon’s Oasis Leisure Centre tonight.

Francis, now 38, takes on Latvian Nikita Maseuss on the KM Promotions’ bill and Swindon promoter-manager Keith Mayo is delighted to add him to his show.

“It’s great to have Dean Francis back again,” said Mayo.

“Dean fought on one of my earliest shows back in 2009 and he is exciting to watch.

“I have always followed Dean’s career with interest. He still wants to win a world title and hopefully this show will help him take a step towards that goal.”

Francis is the current British Masters light heavyweight champion having beaten Justyn Hugh last year.

He has won 32 of his 37 fights with 26 of those by way of knockout.

The pinnacle of Francis’ career saw him lift the vacant European super middleweight title back in 1997 by beating Frederic Seillier.

Another potential world champion on Mayo’s bill is Reading sensation Tamuka Mucha.

The 20-year-old has been described by his trainer Chris Sanigar as “the next big thing” and Mayo agrees Mucha could be a star of the future.

“Tamuka looks to be a fantastic young talent,” said Mayo.

“Chris Sanigar speaks very highly of him and having seen him fight I can see why.

“He could well be a future world champion and we’re delighted to have him back on our show.”