Boxing: Francis faces fine in shorts row

Julius Francis faces the prospect of a British Boxing Board of Control fine for refusing to change his shorts before Saturday’s British and Commonwealth heavyweight title clash with Danny Williams at Wembley.

Francis, counted out at the fourth round, will appear before the monthly meeting of the Board’s Southern Area Council on Wednesday over the breach of regulations.

Their rules state that all boxers must wear different coloured equipment.

The former champion had 25% of his purse withheld by the board after insisting he wore black shorts.

Williams wanted black and as champion was entitled to first choice, but reluctantly agreed to wear white trimmed with red.

A similar situation arose when the pair first met in April 1999, but Francis got his way being the defending champion on that occasion.