Former boxer Julius Francis, a British heavyweight who once fought Mike Tyson and now works as a bouncer, knocked out a protester with a punch at London’s Boxpark Wembley entertainment district.
The video, shared by @gloryglorytott on Twitter, reached nearly six million views in just 12 hours.
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Julius Francis, aged 57, lost in the second round by KO to Mike Tyson in a fight that took place on January 29, 2000. In the four minutes he continued in the ring, Mike Tyson knocked out Julius Francis five times.
Julius Francis, who became the European champion in kickboxing, records 23 wins (12 from KO), 24 losses, and one no contest, a fight that ends in a draw.
In response to the video, Boxpark CEO Roger Wade said the man who was punched was part of a group that was abusing, spitting and hitting customers and employees.
London police said they were investigating the incident and had not yet determined the exact time.
Describing the former boxer as “one of the nicest people” he’s ever met, Wade said he supports Julius Francis’ actions in a statement posted on social media.
“I woke up to a viral story about a member of our security team. Julius Francis, a former heavyweight boxing champion from UK, he is one of the nicest people I have ever met and helps boxing training for disadvantaged youth in his spare time.”
In 2009, the former wrestler was convicted of criminal damages and assault after a road rage incident that saw him slash through a car window, causing the glass to shatter.
He was ordered to do 140 hours of unpaid work and pay £200 in compensation to the victim after sustaining minor injuries to his face.
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