George Albert Francis (1928–3 or 4 John Conteh, After a local policeman persuaded him to give that up he turned to amateur boxing. Francis worked his way up the ranks at Covent Garden Market and eventually became a porter. He was a member of a local boxing club and it was there that he decided to switch from boxer to trainer. 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.
Francis was known for making his boxers run on Hampstead Heath and swim in the cold water of Highgate Men's Pond as part of their training.
Death
Francis was found hanged at his home in Hillway, Highgate, apparently having died by suicide that occurred after the deaths of both his wife, Joan, and his son, Simon.