| |
|
THE "REAL DEAL" HOLYFIELD TAMES THE "WHITE BUFFALO" BOTHA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Mon, 12 Apr 2010
 Botha down on the canvas.
Former four-time world heavyweight champion Evander ?The Real Deal? Holyfield tamed World Boxing Federation champion Francois ?The White Buffalo? Botha and stopped him in the eighth round of a interesting battle before a mere 2,000 fans at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The crowd was a reflection of how the heavyweight division has lost its glamour and what boxing fans feel about ageing warriors continuing to fight which was best illustrated in the boring clash between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr which did more to hurt the sport than lift it up.
Botha started strong and connected with some solid shots but Holyfield who was looking to counter began to turn things around in the fifth round and started nailing the big South African with telling combinations in the sixth and hurt him in the seventh round.
In the eighth round Holyfield dropped Botha with a huge right hand and although the WBF champion Botha beat the count, the 47 year old Holyfield went after Botha and hammered him almost at will before referee Russel Mora jumped in and called a halt at :55 seconds of the round.
In a post-fight interview Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KO) said Botha (47-5-3, 28 KO?s) was a very good defensive fighter and ?a smart fighter too. His right hand had a lot of power and he?s also a very quick big man.?
Emphasizing that he knows he can get better, Holyfield who gave himself a 7 on a scale of 10 for his performance said he wants to come back soon while Botha praised Holyfield for being ?a great fighter? and indicated h e would go home and discuss his future with his team.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30 , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena , Fri, 17 Apr 2026Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night , Fri, 17 Apr 2026CHARLIE SHEEHY PENS PROMOTIONAL PACT WITH MATCHROOM , Fri, 17 Apr 2026BEN WHITTAKER OPENS UP ON HIS AMERICAN DREAM, CALL-OUTS AND HEADLINING IN 'SPECIAL CITY' LIVERPOOL THIS SATURDAY – LIVE ON DAZN , Thu, 16 Apr 2026IBA partners with Global Boxing Series for landmark fight night in Navi Mumbai , Thu, 16 Apr 2026IM Arca finishes 2nd in Thailand Blitz By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026Cebuano "Money Punch" Elmo Traya Heading to Georgia for WBF World Title Shot! By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026Unfinished Business: Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright Super Lightweight Rematch Set for May 16 at Norfolk’s Scope Arena LIVE on DAZN , Thu, 16 Apr 2026Rhaki Constantino bags Asian HeyBall Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 2026GARNICA VS. CORREA SET FOR WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS TITLE CLASH IN LONG BEACH MAY 15 , Wed, 15 Apr 2026IBA Board of Directors convenes for strategic April 2026 meeting , Wed, 15 Apr 2026Cadalso to turn pro in Juego Todo By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 15 Apr 20262-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2 in Las Vegas , Wed, 15 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|