BAYING for blood, the crowd gets louder, the atmosphere crackles in a mix of excitement, anxiety and fear.

Stepping from his corner, boxer Francis Jones readies himself for another punishing round.

His opponent glares intently, his stature seemingly swelled by every deafening roar from the 10,000 partisan Irish audience.

The next three minutes are shattering, devastating punches rain down leaving months of training and years of dreams in tatters.

He stands, watches, glances to his corner, and then the raw emotion strikes. It's all over.

His opponent, Belfast's former welterweight champion Neil Sinclair, lies prone on the ring floor, the force of the punches leaving him flailing in the ropes.

It's the end of the fight, but for Darlington-based Francis, nicknamed Fearless, it's just the beginning of a journey.

His next fight saw him lose narrowly to Scotland's Kevin Anderson in a title shot, but his 24-fight career was dealt a far more serious blow when it was discovered he had suffered a brain haemorrhage.

The implications could have been severe, but Francis, in typically belligerent fashion, battled hard and worked to found private security firm, Sparta Security, which responds to reports of anti-social behaviour and extinguishes trouble through non-violent means.

The 32-year-old born-again Christian, who was a trainee footballer with Hartlepool United, says the company continues to grow, and his passion to see it expand is only matched by his burning desire to get back in the ring.

He said: “I used to get bullied at school, so I started boxing and quickly found I was good at it and knocking people out regularly.

“I worked as a doorman when I was 18, I looked more like 15 because I was so skinny, but I thought to myself, if these bigger blokes can do it, then so can I.

“My boxing continued and I started to get a name for myself, and even though I had my injury, I'm not giving in.

“I cannot quit at anything, whether it be a boxing bout or a game of dominoes.”

Mr Jones' firm now employs about 30 people, including a former SAS man, and as he chats to me, the scale of its work is brought to the fore as he reveals a foot injury sustained from a previous night's surveillance exercise.

He got the idea for Sparta after being contacted by people wanting help to deal with problems near their homes, and its wardens offer protection for a weekly fee, using cameras and a modified car to carry out patrols.

Typically though, its success is not enough for Mr Jones.

He said: “I don't want it to be good, I want it to be awesome.

“We can go anywhere in the world with these services.

“People feel safe because of what we do and this positive attitude transcends into our staff.

“When I ask for something, I ask for something big, and I want us to be the UK's leading security firm.”

Favourite North-East building and why? The Metro Radio Arena, in Newcastle. It would be a dream to fight there.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? A YTS footballer at Hartlepool United. I got £47.50, which I thought was a fortune.

What is the worst job you've had? I got a call out to a stately home that had been burgled. Nobody was home, it was 2am and minus eight. On arrival, the phone lines had been cut and an axe was outside. I stayed there alone and at 6am I heard someone enter so I went to apprehend them. It turned out it was the owner returning.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner? It would a takeaway, I'm afraid.

What would your superpower be? To locate people who hurt animals and stop them doing it.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party. Joe Cortez, Floyd Mayweather, Adrien Broner and me.

Most expensive thing you've bought – other than a car or house – and how much? An engagement ring for a girl.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why? Sparta Security, because the tweets are fantastic. Favourite book? The Bible. When did you last cry? In the US, about three months ago.

What is your greatest achievement? Having the best security firm in UK. And the biggest ego.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given? If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to a mountain move. And it will.

Favourite animal and why? The tiger. It is the real king of the jungle.

Most famous person on your mobile phone? The US rapper, 50 Cent. I met him at a boxing gym in Las Vegas. What was the last band you saw live? Frankie and the Heartstrings. I'm on their album cover.

Describe your perfect night in. A few drinks with Michelle Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre, in Coronation Street.

In another life I would be... A fly on the wall.

Who would play you in a film of your life? Russell Crowe What irritates you? Wanting everything now.

What's your secret talent? I make films in my spare time.