George Francis was born in Camden Town, north London.[4] He was only eight when his father died,[citation needed] and left school at the age of 11[7] to support his family.[citation needed] In the 1930s, he was a bare-knuckle fighter.[7] After a local policeman persuaded him to give that up he turned to amateur boxing.[citation needed] Francis worked his way up the ranks[further explanation needed] at Covent Garden Market and eventually became a porter.[citation needed] He was a member of a local boxing club and it was there that he decided to switch from boxer to trainer.[citation needed] These early ventures into the fight game were to be the start of a career which saw him become involved with some of the greatest boxers in the world.
After Paul McCartney visited Francis's gym to watch Conteh train, McCartney employed Francis's son Michael as a bodyguard.[9]
Death
Francis was found hanged at his home in Hillway, Highgate, apparently having died by suicide[6][7] on 3[2] or 4[1] April 2002. He was 73.[6] His death followed a period of severe depression[10] that occurred after the deaths of both his wife, Joan, and his son, Simon.[6][3][4]
References
123Francis, Michael (2003). Star Man. Simon & Schuster. p.286. ISBN0743239040.
12Francis, Michael (2003). Star Man. Simon & Schuster. p.dedication. ISBN0743239040.
