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The CEO and founder of Boxpark has defended former British heavyweight champion turned security guard Julius Francis after he knocked out a reveller at the venue in London.
Francis, who once fought Mike Tyson, showed he still knew how to throw a punch during the incident outside Boxpark near Wembley Stadium, which left the man unconscious on the ground.
In response to the video, Boxpark CEO Roger Wade said the man who was punched had been part of a group who had been ‘abusing, spitting and hitting customers and staff’.
The Met Police have said they are investigating the incident and are yet to determine exactly when it took place.
Francis, now aged 57, hung up his boxing gloves in 2006 with a professional record of 23-24-1.
In 2009, Francis was convicted of criminal damage and assault after a road rage incident which saw him punch a car window, causing the glass to shatter.
Describing the former boxer as ‘one of the nicest people’ he had ever met, Mr Wade said he stood behind Julius Francis’ actions in a statement shared on social media.
Footage of the incident quickly went viral on social media with viewers split over whether the punch was a proportionate response.
But Mr Wade asked viewers to think about how they would react in a similar situation.
He said: ‘Woke up to a viral story about one of our security team. Julius Francis, is ex UK heavyweight boxing champion, he is one of the nicest people I have ever met and helps train young underprivileged kids boxing in his spare time.
Julius Francis, a former British heavyweight boxer who now works as a security guard, has been filmed knocking out a rowdy reveller with a single punch in front of shocked bystanders
Roger Wade, the CEO and founder of Boxpark defended former British heavyweight champion turned security guard Julius Francis after he knocked out a reveller at the venue in London
Pictured: Julius Francis (left) and Mike Tyson exchange blows during the heavyweight contest at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester. Tyson won by a second round stoppage
‘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?’
It came after trouble started inside the venue and spilled onto the street outside as a group of men were seen arguing while the bouncers attempted to move them on.
In the video, one man, wearing a blue du-rag, can be heard yelling profanities in the direction of Francis ‘I hope you have a heart attack, you fat ****’ before he then shoves a smaller security guard.
The scuffle moves away from the front of the venue as the man wearing the blue du-rag continues to confront other revellers while onlookers can be heard shouting ‘chill’.
The man can be seen shoving multiple people and yelling obscenities as the incident appears to escalate.
As the man turns toward Francis and appears to raise his fist, the former pro boxer unleashes a right-hand punch to the man’s head.
Bystanders react with a mixture of shocked gasps and cheers as the stricken man’s friends rush to his aid.
The man falls to the ground unconscious as his friends confront Francis, who walked away from the incident, and ask why he punched him.
The man is then rolled into the recovery position as his friend can be heard saying: ‘There was no need, there was no need.’
Pictured: Former heavyweight boxer Julius Francis herds a group of rowdy revellers out of BOXPARK in Wembley (left) as one man, in the blue du-rag, gets confrontational (right)
The man appeared to raise a fist to Francis before he was floored by the former British champ
The man was left unconscious after the right-hand blow from former champion Julius Francis
The former British heavyweight champion had notable bouts against four future or former World heavyweight Champions including John Ruiz in 1994 and Mike Tyson in 2000 – both of which he lost.
He famously lasted just four minutes with Tyson during their bout at the Manchester Evening News Arena.
Francis also fought Vitali Klitschko but was stopped in two rounds during their bout in 1998.
After he retired in 2006, he started a fitness company while working as a security guard.
In 2009, Francis was convicted of criminal damage and assault after a road rage incident which saw him punch a car window, causing the glass to shatter.
He was ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £200 compensation to his victim after he was left with minor injuries to his face.
The condition of the man who was knocked unconscious at BOXPARK is unknown at this stage.
Former British boxer Julius Francis (left) squares up to Mike Tyson (right) ahead of their bout
A spokesman for the Met Police told MailOnline: ‘Police are aware of footage circulating on social media showing an incident involving security staff and a member of the public outside Boxpark in Wembley.
‘An investigation into the circumstances, including to establish the identity and welfare of those involved, is under way.
‘There have been no arrests and enquiries are ongoing.
‘Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD1194/14June.
‘You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’
A spokesperson for BoxPark added: ‘Our team are aware of footage being shared online.
‘This incident is currently under review and part of an ongoing police investigation, and therefore we are unable to comment further on the incident at this time.
‘We would like to stress that the safety and welfare of our customers and our staff is our number one priority.’
