Boxing: Harrison to fight Francis

WBF champion Audley Harrison will take on former British heavyweight champion Julius Francis in his next fight after Nicolay Popov pulled out. Harrison will face Francis at the Whitchurch Sports Centre in Bristol on 8 May. Popov was not able to complete his training schedule for the bout because of illness. Harrison will be looking for revenge having lost on points to Francis as an amateur. Unbeaten Harrison will be going for his 16th consecutive win, having turned professional in 2001. Popov, who has six knockout wins from his 12 fights and looked set to be a tough opponent for the Briton.

The fight is just about to start and i think it's a real mismatch. Audley will take him out no problem. Although Francis can be dangerous and has been around i think Audley will have too much for him.

Audley Harrison has waited 11 years for his chance to turn the tables on Julius Francis. Francis ended Harrison's unbeaten streak as an amateur when the pair met 11 years ago. At Friday's weigh-in, Harrison scaled 17st 7.25lbs, a quarter of a pound more than in his last fight, while Francis weighed in at a stocky 18st 4lbs. Audley Harrison claimed his 16th straight victory since turning professional with a comprehensive points victory over Julius Francis. The WBF heavyweight champion, who won the belt by beating Holland's Richel Hersisia in March, struggled to overcome a stubborn opponent. A late knockdown by Harrison in the 12th nearly ended the fight but Francis had enough to get up off the canvas.