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Francois Botha (born 28 September 1968, in Witbank, Mpumalanga), also known as Frans Botha, is a South African boxer, nicknamed the "White Buffalo".
Botha is a four-time world title challenger. 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. As an amateur, he was knocked out by Corrie Sanders three times out of their four fights.
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,and the famous fight with Shannon Briggs, who stopped draw.
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.
In 1996 "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 6 February 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 15 May 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 10 January, 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 10 April 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, He then fought Michael Grant for the vacant WBF heavyweight title and was leading on the scorecards when he was knocked out with a long right hand from Grant with seconds remaining in the contest.[6] Two fights later, Botha fought Francesco Pianeta, who was undefeated in 29 fights, losing the 10 round bout on points.
He was due to fight New Zealand dual-international Sonny Bill Williams in Brisbane on 24 November 2012. However, the fight was cancelled and moved to February. Finally the Williams fight did take place in Brisbane. However, only 10 out of a publicised 12 rounds were fought. Bout judges awarded the fight to the New Zealand Champion on points. Since that night in Brisbane there has been a lot of talk in the media, ranging from a failed drugs test, to no drugs testing at all, no WBA official present at the bout, and one fight judge stated that the first he heard about the fight being 10 rounds was from the arena announcer. However, despite all the media speculation, the WBA has confirmed that the fight was legitimate and Williams the recognised International heavyweight title-holder.[7] Botha is hoping for a possible rematch against Williams in Cape Town.
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 20 May 2006 in a K-1 superfight in Stockholm, Sweden.
Botha also had one mixed martial arts fight. On 31 December 2004 he lost to Yoshihiro Akiyama via an armbar submission in the first round.
On 14 October, Botha beat Espedito Da Silva by KO at K-1 Rules Africa Bomba-Yaa 2006.
Botha made a return to kickboxing in 2008. On 30 March 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 27 September 2008 in Bulgaria.
Professional boxing record[]
| 48 Wins (29 knockouts), 8 Losses, 3 Draws, 1 No Contest [1] | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Rounds | Date | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 48-9-3 1 NC |
File:Flag of New Zealand.svg Sonny Bill Williams | UD | 10 (10) | 08/02/2013 | File:Flag of Australia.svg Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Queensland | For the vacant WBA International heavyweight belt |
| Loss | 48-8-3 1 NC |
 Francesco Pianeta
|
UD | 10 | 07/09/2012 |  RWE Rhein-Ruhr Sporthalle, Mülheim, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
|
Judges' scores were 96-100, 92-99 & 93-97. |
| Loss | 48-7-3 1 NC |
File:Flag of Cameroon.svg Carlos Takam | TKO | 11 (12) | 31/03/2012 | File:Flag of France.svg Gymnase Jean Richepin, Noisy-le-Grand, Seine-Saint-Denis, France | For WBO Africa heavyweight title. |
| Loss | 48-6-3 1 NC |
 Michael Grant
|
KO | 12 (12) | 19/11/2011 | File:Flag of South Africa.svg Monte Casino, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | For WBF Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 48-5-3 1 NC |
File:Flag of South Africa.svg Flo Simba | TKO | 6 (10) | 04/06/2011 | File:Flag of South Africa.svg 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 |
File:Flag of Cuba.svg 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 | File:Flag of South Africa.svg Tlokwe Banquet Hall, Potchefstroom, North-West, South Africa | Won vacant WBF Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 45-4-2 1 NC |
File:Flag of Australia.svg Bob Mirovic | UD | 12 | 06/07/2007 | File:Flag of South Africa.svg 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 |
File:Flag of Ukraine.svg 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 | File:Flag of Ecuador.svg 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 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg 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 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Ginger Tshabalala | SD | 8 | 30/09/1991 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 11–0 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Siza Makathini | PTS | 10 | 18/08/1991 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | Won Transvaal Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 10–0 | Shaun Ayers
|
PTS | 10 | 30/06/1991 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 9–0 | Rick Rice
|
KO | 3 (8) | 18/02/1991 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Arena Indoor Hall, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 8–0 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Gideon Hlongwa | PTS | 8 | 27/01/1991 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg 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 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Themba Msweli | PTS | 4 | 09/04/1990 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Pretoria University Arena, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 1–0 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Johan Van Zyl | KO | 1 (4) | 11/02/1990 | File:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | Pro debut for Botha. |
| Titles in pretence | ||
|---|---|---|
| New title | IBF Heavyweight Champion 9 December 1995 – 27 March 1996 |
N/A |
Kickboxing record[]
| 4 Wins, 11 Losses | |||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Method | Round | Time | |
| 27/09/2008 | Loss | File:Flag of France.svg Gregory Tony | WFC 6, Sofia, Bulgaria | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 30/03/2008 | Win | File:Flag of Thailand.svg Kaoklai Kaennorsing | The Khan 1, Seoul, Korea | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 14/10/2006 | Win | File:Flag of Brazil.svg Espedito Da Silva | K-1 Rules Africa Bomba-Yaa 2006 | KO | 2 | ||
| 20/05/2006 | Loss | File:Flag of Sweden.svg Jorgen Kruth | K-1 Scandinavia GP in Stockholm | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 5/03/2006 | Loss | File:Flag of New Zealand.svg Ray Sefo | K-1 WGP 2005 in Auckland | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 23/09/2005 | Loss | File:Flag of Japan.svg 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 | File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Remy Bonjasky | K-1 2004 WGP Final | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 4/12/2004 | Win | File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Peter Aerts | K-1 2004 WGP Final | KO (Leg Injury) | 1 | 1:13 | |
| 25/09/2004 | Win | File:Flag of France.svg Jérôme Le Banner | K-1 2004 WGP Final Elimination | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 3 | 0:00 | |
| 6/05/2004 | Loss | File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Remy Bonjasky | K-1 WGP in Nagoya | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 27/03/2004 | Loss | File:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Aziz Khattou | K-1 WGP in Saitama | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 31/12/2003 | Loss | File:Flag of Japan.svg Yusuke Fujimoto | Dynamite!! | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 6/12/2003 | Loss | File:Flag of France.svg Cyril Abidi | K-1 2003 WGP Final | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 11/09/2003 | Loss | File:Flag of France.svg Cyril Abidi | K-1 2003 WGP Final Elimination | DQ | 1 | 0:19 | |
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Mixed martial arts record[]
| 0 Wins, 1 Loss | |||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Method | Round | Time | |
| 2004-12-31 | Loss | File:Flag of Japan.svg Yoshihiro Akiyama | K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!! | Submission (Armbar) | 1 | 1:54 | File:Flag of Japan.svg Osaka, Japan |
References[]
- ↑ "BOXING;Botha Tests Positive Again". The New York Times. 27 January 1996. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A00E5DF1639F934A15752C0A960958260.
- ↑ "Holyfield v Botha fight in Uganda is delayed". BBC News. 4 January 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/8436344.stm.
- ↑ http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4686941&name=rafael_dan
- ↑ http://boxrec.com/schedule.php?country=&division=Heavyweight&title=&tv=&SUBMIT=Go&pageID=2
- ↑ http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hb-2Ok65rv0r22L5Qjoy9UTTrllwD9F0KS8G1
- ↑ http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=003307&cat=boxer
- ↑ Boxing: Nasser blamed for confusion over fight, by Patrick McKendry, nzherald.co.nz, dated 7 March 2013.
External links[]
| File:Office-book.svg |
|
- Professional boxing record for Francois Botha from BoxRec
- Professional MMA record for Francois Botha from Sherdog
- Profile at K-1