All Change For Francy


It’s all change for Francy Luzoho as he promises fireworks when boxing in England for the first time.

His first appearance on our shores comes when BCB Promotions are at the Willows (Bath Street), in Willenhall, as part of a Sunday afternoon show (March 27).

The Irishman, of Congolese descent, has been in the country since the start of last month, training with coach Shiney Singh at the MLSS Community Hub in Bloxwich.

Luzoho has left behind his fiancee Jade and two-month-old daughter Aaliyah, in Dublin, for his fight camp as he undertakes a fifth pro contest.

The 26-year-old super featherweight is trying to work towards titles, after honours aplenty back in his homeland, as an amateur.

Two national novice titles and medals at the Leinster Championships and the Celtic Box Cup all came his way, representing St Michaels Boxing Club in 35 bouts, with 25 wins.

He turned pro in 2018, notching a third round TKO over Sam Jones, before tasting defeat himself in 2019 with a points loss to Martin Quinn, through a 59-56 scoreline after six.

After two years out, Luzoho went to Luxembourg and took on Marko Pavlovic, who somehow reached the final bell, but was on the wrong end of a resounding 40-34 verdict.

Later in 2021, Luzoho scored his second stoppage against Petr Gina in Germany, taking just two rounds to finish him off, and now sees more ring time.

He said: “This is my first time fighting on English soil, but I’ve been all over the place before. I made my debut and had my first loss in Ireland, before travelling around.

“I’ve been all over Europe, learning my trade, doing the rounds, both boxing and sparring with the best talent that I could. It helped me to find myself.

“My debut opponent (Sam Jones) was 6-1, at the time, and I was the first black Irish boxer to walk out alongside a live performance – and I’ve got something lined up for this one!

“If you’re going to do anything, do it right and I always think outside of the box. That’s what you can expect from me, in and out of the ring.

“My nickname is ‘the Butcher Boy,’ which is actually an old Irish film (1997), where the lead character is a kid called Francie. It just stuck really.

“I was born in Ireland, my parents are from the Congo but I’ve only been there once, when I was a teenager, and it made me realise how lucky I am.

“I didn’t know that mum’s brother, my uncle Julius, was an Angloan champion. He sadly died in a car crash. She didn’t tell me until after I made my debut!

“My birth surname is Nkodia, but Luzoho is a warrior’s name and it fits me perfectly when I’m boxing. I never stopped anyone, as an amateur, but I broke a few noses!

“I jumped straight into a 50-50 (against Martin Quinn) and I still should have won. It was a bad decision. I called for a rematch, he didn’t want it, so I moved on.

“I didn’t box again until last year, the chance came to shake off the cobwebs in Luxembourg. I dropped him three times and he was warned for holding and spitting out his gumshield.

“I went to Germany, too, and I was hoping that I’d get some rounds in, but it didn’t last long. Neither of them was the first choice, as opponents, but it was either take them or go home.

“It’s been quite a year, so far, with becoming a father for the first time, coming to England and working with Shiney (Singh, coach). It’s a new system, but I have the same goals.”

Tickets for the Willows bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.

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