Almost a year on from his controversial last fight, Francy Luzoho will return to the ring with a new team and a new mindset.
Last March the Blanchardstown light welter lost on points to Crumlin’s Martin Quinn at the National Stadium on a big TG4 show – a result which split opinion and is still debated today. A verdict which hurt Luzoho, the 24-year-old made big changes in the aftermath, relocating his training from Inchicore to Lanzarote, and he returns with a vengeance next month.
Luzoho will next fight on Saturday February 1st at the Devenish Venue in Belfast on the big ‘Celtic Clash 10’ bill where he will jump straight back into the deep end and take on local favourite Stephen Webb in the card’s co-headline bout. It was never going to be any other way for Luzoho, who saw a similarly tough comeback fight last month fall through at the last minute.
‘The Butcher Boy’ hit the headlines in 2018 following a debut knockout win over tough Englishman Sam Jones and he explains how “there’s no such thing as a routine for me. When I was meant to fight in Lanzarote my opponent was an unbeaten fighter with three wins. He pulled out after seeing my record and the people I faced. One thing I’ve learned after my last fight is there no such thing as pressure. All you can do is prepare like never before and go out and have fun.”
“I’d been feeling like I needed a move for a long time but, after my last fight, I came to terms that I need a change. I needed a new team which resulted in me changing trainers. It’s a new chapter. Let’s call it Chapter 2. I call it a fresh start, but while it’s a new life, new trainer, and new team – it’s the same dream.”
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Now training with Dublin former pro Jonathan ‘Thunderbolt’ O’Brien in the Canaries, Luzoho notes how “the relationship between me and Jon has been extremely positive. I have a strong feeling that me and him are going a lot further in this game. I just feel like he’s going to bring a lot more out of me, motivate me a lot more and, for the short period we have been together, he’s gone out above and beyond for me. That means a lot to me.”
Having spent time training in Tenerife previously, a move back to sunnier climes appealed to Luzoho who describes how “the move is going to do wonders for me. After living and Tenerife for over a year I felt it did wonders for me. Just look at my debut it speaks volumes. Then leading to my second camp in Ireland for my second fight I didn’t have my greatest camp or performance. I still felt I won but I should have been in better form. Look, that’s boxing, it just showed me training in Ireland hasn’t really benefited me much. Living here [Ireland] my whole life, I needed the change and, sure look, at least that way I can get the weight off me faster!”
Always positive, Luzoho is adamant he will achieve his goals. The fighter of Congolese stock outlines how “the sky’s the limit. All I can say keep doubting me. Even if I have to go to hell and back I will achieve my dreams. All the greats in boxing have lost and have come back even stronger, they came back and took over the sport of boxing. I have to, I have no other choice but to make it for my mum, my sisters and brothers, my fiancée, my close friends and for everyone that wants to see me succeed.”
‘Celtic Clash 10’ is headlined by Irish featherweight champion Eric Donovan and also features appearances from Bray super bantam Sam Carroll, Kildare light welter Katelynn Phelan, Dublin welter John Joyce, Cavan light middle Dominic Donegan, Sligo welter Aaron Gethins, Leixlip light welter Senan Kelly, North Belfast light middle Owen O’Neill, Waterford super middle debutant Rhys Moran, and Crumlin light middle Tony McGlynn.
