Francois Botha

Francois Botha
Born September 28, 1968 (1968-09-28) (age 43)
Witbank, South Africa
Other names White Buffalo
Nationality South African
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 118 kg (260 lb; 18.6 st)
Division Heavyweight
Style Boxing
Stance Orthodox
Team Vallentuna Boxing Camp
Trainer Mats Söderström
Po Lindwall
Years active 1990–present
Professional boxing record
Total 58
Wins 48
By knockout 29
Losses 6
Draws 3
No contests 1
Kickboxing record
Total 15
Wins 4
By knockout 3
Losses 11
By knockout 1
Mixed martial arts record
Total 1
Wins 0
Losses 1
By submission 1
Other information
Boxing record from Boxrec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Francois Botha (born September 28, 1968, in Witbank), also known as Frans Botha, is a South African boxer, nicknamed the "White Buffalo".

Since his days as a contender came to an end in 2002, an aged Botha has competed in numerous kickboxing and mixed martial arts events.

Contents

Boxing career

Early career

Botha has had a relatively distinguished career as a heavyweight boxer, having fought several world heavyweight champions including Mike Tyson, Shannon Briggs, Axel Schulz, Michael Moorer, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. Botha suffered a fifth round knockout to Mike Tyson, in a fight he was leading on all three scorecards until the knockout.

Botha had a victory in 1995 against Germany's Axel Schulz to win the IBF heavyweight Championship, but later tested positive for the steroid nandrolone [1] he and his camp claimed to be prescribed by a doctor for an arm injury. The result of the fight was then changed to a "No Contest" and the IBF do not recognize Botha as former champion, although Botha was introduced as a former champ in every single professional boxing contest he has engaged in since.

"The White Buffalo" bounced back with a courageous effort with Michael Moorer for the IBF crown on the undercard of Mike Tyson's first contest with Evander Holyfield. Moorer knocked him out in the twelfth round. This eventually led to fights with Mike Tyson, Shannon Briggs, and heavyweight title showdowns with Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. Botha came up on the short end via knockout in both of those encounters for the heavyweight title.

Four months after the Klitschko fight, Botha fought contender Clifford Etienne, and knocked him down twice, but was denied a victory and received a majority draw with two judges scoring it 94-94 and one judge scoring it 95-93 in favor of Botha. This was in Etienne's hometown.

Comeback

In July 2007, Botha returned to boxing with a unanimous decision victory over Bob Mirovic in a fight held in South Africa. Botha dominated the fight with two judges holding Botha won all twelve rounds and one judge ruling he won ten of twelve. The bout was for the interim WBF World Heavyweight title.

On February 6, 2009, Botha beat Ron "Rocky" Guerrero by unanimous decision for the vacant WBF heavyweight title in South Africa. He successfully defended his WBF title against Timo Hoffmann on May 15, 2009 in Germany, winning the fight by split decision.

Botha was scheduled to box Joey Abell on 27 March 2010 (postponed from the earlier date of 16 January 2010) at the Uganda Nelson Mandela Memorial Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.[2][3][4] On January 10, the World Boxing Foundation executive has decided to vacate the WBF World Heavyweight Title due to Botha not defending within the agreed time limit.

On April 10, 2010 Botha lost via knockout in the 8th round to Evander Holyfield at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Holyfield won the WBF heavyweight title for his victory.[5]

Since then, Botha has won against former undefeated South African prospect Flo Simba, and is now set to fight Michael Grant for the vacant WBF heavyweight title. [6]

Kickboxing and mixed martial arts career

From 2003-2006 Botha participated several times in the kickboxing combat sport, K-1. His current K-1 record is 4-11, with two wins coming against K-1/Kickboxing legends Jerome Le Banner and Peter Aerts. Botha's final K-1 match was a 3 round decision loss to Jorgen Kruth on May 20, 2006 in a K-1 superfight in Stockholm, Sweden.

Botha also had one mixed martial arts fight. On December 31, 2004 he lost to Yoshihiro Akiyama via an armbar submission in the first round.

On October 14, Botha beat Espedito Da Silva by KO at K-1 Rules Africa Bomba-Yaa 2006.

Botha made a return to kickboxing in 2008. On March 30, 2008, Botha defeated muay thai kickboxer Kaoklai Kaennorsing at The KHAN in Seoul, Korea by decision. He lost to French kickboxer "Le Gentleman" Gregory Tony at WFC 6 on September 27, 2008 in Bulgaria.

Professional boxing record

48 Wins (29 knockouts, 6 Losses, 3 Draws, 1 No Contest [1]
Result Record Opponent Type Rounds Date Location Notes
Loss 48-6-3
1 NC		 Michael Grant KO 12 (12) 19/11/2011 Monte Casino, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa For WBF Heavyweight title.
Win 48-5-3
1 NC		 Flo Simba TKO 6 (10) 04/06/2011 Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa
Loss 47-5-3
1 NC		 Evander Holyfield TKO 8 (12) 10/04/2010 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For vacant WBF Heavyweight title. Botha down in round 8.
Draw 47-4-3
1 NC		 Pedro Carrion MD 12 24/10/2009 Anhalt Arena, Dessau, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany For vacant WBF Heavyweight title.
Win 47-4-2
1 NC		 Timo Hoffmann SD 12 15/05/2009 Bordelandhalle, Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany Won WBF Heavyweight title. Hoffmann down in round 11.
Win 46-4-2
1 NC		 Ron Guerrero UD 12 06/02/2009 Tlokwe Banquet Hall, Potchefstroom, North-West, South Africa Won vacant WBF Heavyweight title.
Win 45-4-2
1 NC		 Bob Mirovic UD 12 06/07/2007 Carousel Hotel & Casino, Temba, North-West, South Africa Won interim WBF Heavyweight title.
Draw 44-4-2
1 NC		 Clifford Etienne PTS 10 27/07/2002 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Etienne down in the 5th and 6th rounds.
Loss 44-4-1
1 NC		 Wladimir Klitschko TKO 8 (12) 16/03/2002 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany For WBO Heavyweight title.
Win 44-3-1
1 NC		 Russell Chasteen TKO 3 (10) 13/07/2001 Agua Caliente Casino, Rancho Mirage, California, United States
Win 43-3-1
1 NC		 David Bostice UD 10 05/06/2001 Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 42-3-1
1 NC		 Joey Guy KO 1 (10) 16/03/2001 Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 41-3-1
1 NC		 Tony LaRosa TKO 1 (10) 02/11/2000 District of Columbia, United States
Loss 40-3-1
1 NC		 Lennox Lewis TKO 2 (12) 15/07/2000 New London Arena, Millwall, London, England, United Kingdom For WBC, IBF & IBO Heavyweight titles.
Win 40-2-1
1 NC		 Steve Pannell TKO 1 (10) 08/01/2000 The Pit, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Draw 39-2-1
1 NC		 Shannon Briggs MD 10 07/08/1999 Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Botha down in round 8.
Loss 39–2
1 NC		 Mike Tyson KO 5 (10) 16/01/1999 MGM Grand Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 39–1
1 NC		 David Cherry TKO 1 (10) 26/06/1998 Boone County Fairgrounds, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 38–1
1 NC		 Stan Johnson KO 1 (10) 24/04/1998 Fairground, Dubuque, Iowa, United States
Win 37–1
1 NC		 Lee Gilbert UD 12 21/06/1997 Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, United States Retained NABA Heavyweight title. Gilbert down in round 11.
Win 36–1
1 NC		 James Stanton KO 10 (12) 10/05/1997 Convention Center, Coconut Grove, Florida, United States Won vacant NABA Heavyweight title.
Loss 35–1
1 NC		 Michael Moorer TKO 12 (12) 09/11/1996 MGM Grand Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For IBF Heavyweight title.
NC 35–0
1 NC		 Axel Schulz NC 12 09/12/1995 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany For vacant IBF Heavyweight title. Botha tested positive for steroids shortly after the fight and was stripped of the title.
Win 35–0 Willie Jake UD 8 08/04/1995 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 34–0 Brian Sargent TKO 1 (10) 17/03/1995 Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Win 33–0 Bill Corrigan TKO 1 (10) 07/03/1995 Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 32–0 Ken Lakusta KO 1 (10) 17/12/1994 Ruminahui Coliseum, Quito, Ecuador
Win 31–0 Phil Scott KO 6 (10) 02/07/1994 Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 30–0 Martin Foster TKO 1 (10) 21/05/1994 Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Win 29–0 Craig Payne KO 7 (10) 30/10/1993 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Win 28–0 John Morton TKO 3 (10) 01/10/1993 Arco Arena, Sacramento, California, United States
Win 27–0 Ron Goodwin KO 4 (10) 25/06/1993 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 26–0 Calvin Jones TKO 2 (10) 15/06/1993 Denison, Texas, United States
Win 25–0 Billy Wright TKO 5 (10) 16/01/1993 Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, United States
Win 24–0 Artie Hooks KO 1 (8) 19/11/1992 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 23–0 Mike Jones KO 1 (8) 19/11/1992 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 22–0 Russell Rierson KO 1 (8) 19/11/1992 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 21–0 Jimmy Bills UD 8 07/10/1992 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win 20–0 Russell Rierson KO 5 (8) 29/09/1992 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 19–0 Mike Hunter MD 8 22/09/1992 El Paso, Texas, United States Botha down in round 1.
Win 18–0 David Martin KO 3 (8) 18/07/1992 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 17–0 Ken Jackson UD 8 04/07/1992 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 16–0 Ron Ackerson KO 3 (8) 12/06/1992 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 15–0 Marion Wilson PTS 8 29/05/1992 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win 14–0 Ron Ackerson KO 3 (8) 07/05/1992 Westlin Hotel, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 13–0 Tim Tomashek PTS 10 15/11/1991 Sacramento, California, United States
Win 12–0 Ginger Tshabalala SD 8 30/09/1991 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Win 11–0 Siza Makathini PTS 10 18/08/1991 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Won Transvaal Heavyweight title.
Win 10–0 Shaun Ayers PTS 10 30/06/1991 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Win 9–0 Rick Rice KO 3 (8) 18/02/1991 Arena Indoor Hall, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Win 8–0 Gideon Hlongwa PTS 8 27/01/1991 Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Win 7–0 Leander Collins KO 2 (8) 22/09/1990 Intl. Convention Center, Brownsville, Texas, United States
Win 6–0 Andre Smiley KO 2 (8) 11/09/1990 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 5–0 Kevin Denson PTS 6 25/08/1990 Central Maine Civic Center, Lewiston, Maine, United States
Win 4–0 Elvis Franks PTS 4 23/06/1990 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 3–0 Joe Adams PTS 4 27/04/1990 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Win 2–0 Themba Msweli PTS 4 09/04/1990 Pretoria University Arena, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Win 1–0 Johan Van Zyl KO 1 (4) 11/02/1990 Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Pro debut for Botha.
Titles in pretence
New title IBF Heavyweight Champion
December 9 1995 - March 27 1996		 N/A

Kickboxing record

4 Wins, 11 Losses
Date Result Opponent Event Method Round Time
27/09/2008 Loss Gregory Tony WFC 6, Sofia, Bulgaria Decision 3 3:00
30/03/2008 Win Kaoklai Kaennorsing The Khan 1, Seoul, Korea Decision 3 3:00
14/10/2006 Win Espedito Da Silva K-1 Rules Africa Bomba-Yaa 2006 KO 2
20/05/2006 Loss Jorgen Kruth K-1 Scandinavia GP in Stockholm Decision 3 3:00
5/03/2006 Loss Ray Sefo K-1 WGP 2005 in Auckland Decision 3 3:00
23/09/2005 Loss Musashi K-1 2005 WGP Final Elimination Decision 3 3:00
13/08/2005 Loss Mighty Mo K-1 2005 in Las Vegas II TKO 1 1:20
4/12/2004 Loss Remy Bonjasky K-1 2004 WGP Final Decision 3 3:00
4/12/2004 Win Peter Aerts K-1 2004 WGP Final KO (Leg Injury) 1 1:13
25/09/2004 Win Jérôme Le Banner K-1 2004 WGP Final Elimination TKO (Corner Stoppage) 3 0:00
6/05/2004 Loss Remy Bonjasky K-1 WGP in Nagoya Decision 3 3:00
27/03/2004 Loss Aziz Khattou K-1 WGP in Saitama Decision 3 3:00
31/12/2003 Loss Yusuke Fujimoto Dynamite!! Decision 3 3:00
6/12/2003 Loss Cyril Abidi K-1 2003 WGP Final Decision 3 3:00
11/09/2003 Loss Cyril Abidi K-1 2003 WGP Final Elimination DQ 1 0:19

Mixed martial arts record

0 Wins, 1 Loss
Date Result Opponent Event Method Round Time
2004-12-31 Loss Yoshihiro Akiyama K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!! Submission (Armbar) 1 1:54 Osaka, Japan

References

  1. ^ "BOXING;Botha Tests Positive Again". The New York Times. January 27, 1996. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A00E5DF1639F934A15752C0A960958260. 
  2. ^ "Holyfield v Botha fight in Uganda is delayed". BBC News. January 4, 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/8436344.stm. 
  3. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4686941&name=rafael_dan
  4. ^ http://boxrec.com/schedule.php?country=&division=Heavyweight&title=&tv=&SUBMIT=Go&pageID=2
  5. ^ http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hb-2Ok65rv0r22L5Qjoy9UTTrllwD9F0KS8G1
  6. ^ http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=003307&cat=boxer

External links