By Chris Williams: Evander Holyfield turned back the time last night in taking out 41-year-old Francois Botha in the 8th round at the Thomas & Mack Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Holyfield, now 47, shook off some early rust in the fight and turned up the heat on Botha in the 8th round, knocking him down with a tremendous right hand the head and finishing him off with a some nice shots after he got back to his feet.
Evander Holyfield
Holyfield stops Botha, but fails to impress
By Jim Dower: Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KO’s) kept his hopes alive for getting another shot at one of the titles by stopping 41-year-old Francois Botha (47-5-3, 28 KO’s) in the 8th round at the Thomas & Mack Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Holyfield, 47, looked only slightly better than the pudgy and slow Botha going into the 8th. In that round, Holyfield dropped Botha with a nice right hand. Holyfield then landed a flurry of shots, causing referee Russell Mora to step in and stop the fight at 0:55 of the 8th.
Poor ticket sales for Holyfield-Botha
By Jason Kim: According to the latest boxing news, this Saturday’s clash between aging heavyweights Evander Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KO’s vs. Francois Botha (47-4-3, 28 KO’s) isn’t selling well in terms of ticket sales for the fight at the Thomas & Mack Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The La Vegas Review Journal reports that less than 1000 tickets have been sold for the Botha-Holyfield duel as of Wednesday.
Holyfield wants a fight with Haye – News
By Jim Dower: Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is one of the many heavyweights that want a fight with World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye (24-1, 22 KO’s).
In an article at the Sun, Haye says “My goal has always been to be the undisputed heavyweight champion. He [Haye] has a belt and I want them all. I wish could fight him right now.” That’s probably not a very realistic option for the 47-year-old Holyfield right now unfortunately.
Holyfield vs. Botha this Saturday night
By Jim Dower: Former IBF/WBA/WBC heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KO’s) will be facing South African Francois Botha (47-4-2, 28 KO’s) this Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. The 47-year-old Holyfield hasn’t fought in close to two years since losing a controversial 12 round majority decision to WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay Valuev. Holyfield fought well enough to get the win in that fight, but failed to throw enough punches to please two of the judges.
When is enough, enough?
By Sean Pollock: Age is a ticking time-bomb that can catch a fighter up at anytime and explode into a disastrous, possibly dangerous night in the ring. ‘Becoming old overnight’ is the saying and it can happen to any seasoned fighter against a young, hungry opponent. On the other hand men like George Foreman can fight onto 48- proving the last things to go are your heart and punch. An aging boxer will lose his legs, eyes and reflexes but they can still deliver that crucial knockout blow if their legs can take them close enough to land it.
Holyfield vs. Botha on April 17th?; Meehan vs. Chagaev in WBA heavyweight title eliminator
By Sean McDaniel: The sagging career of 47-year-old Evander Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KO’s) could get some new life. The Las Vegas-Review Journal is reporting that Holyfield could be facing 41-year-old heavyweight Francois Botha (47-4-3, 28 KO’s) on April 17th, at the Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight, if it takes place, would match two former heavyweight champions who are clearly on the downsides of their careers. Still, the fight would be appealing to some diehard fans of the two fighters.
Holyfield vs. Botha fight cancelled, it could be rescheduled later in the year – News
By Dave Lahr: The planned February 20th bout between forty something year olds Evander Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KO’s) and Francois Botha (47-4-3, 28 KO’s) has been called off, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN. The fight was supposed to take place in Kampala, Uganda. However, the fight fell apart when the promoter missed making his payment to the 47-year-old Holyfield.
Holyfield vs. Botha changed to February 20th – News
By Jim Dower: Former world champion Evander Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KO’s) will have to wait a little longer to face South African Francois Botha (47-4-3, 28 KO’s). Their fight date has changed from January 16th to February 20th, and will be taking place at the Nelson Mandela Memorial Stadium, in Kampala, Uganda. Botha, 41, will be defending his obscure World Boxing Federation heavyweight title, and hoping to impress against the 47-year-old Holyfield.
Holyfield vs. Botha on January 16th – News
By Jim Dower: In something of a step down for him, former IBF/WBA/WBC heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KO’s) will be facing 41-year-old Francois Botha (47-4-3, 28 KO’s) on January 16th for the vacant World Boxing Federation heavyweight title at the Nelson Mandela Memorial Stadium, in Kampala, Uganda. This will be the first appearance for the 47-year-old Holyfield since he lost a controversial 12 round majority decision to seven foot Nikolay Valuev last year on December 20th.