Francois Botha

Francois Botha
Born Francois Johannes Botha
(1968-09-28) 28 September 1968
Witbank, South Africa
Other names The White Buffalo
Nationality South African
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Division
Reach 188 cm (74 in)
Style Boxing
Stance Orthodox
Team Vallentuna Boxing Camp
Trainer
  • Mats Söderström
  • Po Lindwall
Years active
  • 1990–2014 (boxing)
  • 2003–2015 (kickboxing)
  • 2004 (MMA)
Professional boxing record
Total 63
Wins 48
By knockout 29
Losses 11
By knockout 9
Draws 3
No contests 1
Kickboxing record
Total 17
Wins 4
By knockout 3
Losses 13
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 "Frans" Botha (born 28 September 1968) is a South African kickboxer and former professional boxer. He is perhaps best known in boxing for winning the IBF heavyweight title against Axel Schulz in 1995, but was later stripped after failing a drug test. He later challenged twice for world heavyweight titles in 2000 and 2002. Botha also competed once in mixed martial arts.

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, which ended in a 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.

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.[5] 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.[6] 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 three-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

Professional record summary
63 fights 48 wins 11 losses
By knockout 29 9
By decision 19 2
Draws 3
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
63 Loss 48–11–3 (1) Poland Andrzej Wawrzyk TKO 5 (10), 1:56 15 Mar 2014 Poland Hotel Arłamów, Arłamów, Poland For vacant Poland International heavyweight title
62 Loss 48–10–3 (1) New Zealand Joseph Parker TKO 2 (8), 2:32 13 Jun 2013 New Zealand The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
61 Loss 48–9–3 (1) New Zealand Sonny Bill Williams UD 10 (12) 8 Feb 2013 Australia Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia For vacant WBA International heavyweight title
60 Loss 48–8–3 (1) Italy Francesco Pianeta UD 10 7 Sep 2012 Germany RWE Rhein-Ruhr Sporthalle, Mülheim, Germany
59 Loss 48–7–3 (1) France Carlos Takam TKO 11 (12) 31 Mar 2012 France Gymnase Jean Richepin, Noisy-le-Grand, France For WBO Africa and vacant WBF (Federation) International heavyweight titles
58 Loss 48–6–3 (1) United States Michael Grant KO 12 (12), 2:23 19 Nov 2011 South Africa Montecasino, Johannesburg, South Africa For WBF (Federation) heavyweight title
57 Win 48–5–3 (1) South Africa Flo Simba TKO 6 (10), 2:50 4 Jun 2011 South Africa Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa
56 Loss 47–5–3 (1) United States Evander Holyfield TKO 8 (12), 0:55 10 Apr 2010 United States Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US For vacant WBF (Federation) heavyweight title
55 Draw 47–4–3 (1) Cuba Pedro Carrión MD 12 24 Oct 2009 Germany Anhalt Arena, Dessau, Germany For vacant WBF (Federation) heavyweight title
54 Win 47–4–2 (1) Germany Timo Hoffmann SD 12 15 May 2009 Germany Bördelandhalle, Magdeburg, Germany Retained WBF (Foundation) heavyweight title
53 Win 46–4–2 (1) United States Ron Guerrero UD 12 6 Feb 2009 South Africa Tlokwe Banquet Hall, Potchefstroom, South Africa Won vacant WBF (Foundation) heavyweight title
52 Win 45–4–2 (1) Australia Bob Mirovic UD 12 6 Jul 2007 South Africa Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa Won vacant WBF (Foundation) interim heavyweight title
51 Draw 44–4–2 (1) United States Clifford Etienne MD 10 27 Jul 2002 United States New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
50 Loss 44–4–1 (1) Ukraine Wladimir Klitschko TKO 8 (12), 0:47 16 Mar 2002 Germany Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Germany For WBO heavyweight title
49 Win 44–3–1 (1) United States Russell Chasteen TKO 3 (10), 1:36 13 Jul 2001 United States Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, Rancho Mirage, California, US
48 Win 43–3–1 (1) United States David Bostice UD 10 5 Jun 2001 United States Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
47 Win 42–3–1 (1) United States Joey Guy KO 1 (10), 2:40 16 Mar 2001 United States The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, US
46 Win 41–3–1 (1) United States Tony LaRosa TKO 1 (10), 2:56 2 Nov 2000 United States Washington, D.C., US
45 Loss 40–3–1 (1) United Kingdom Lennox Lewis TKO 2 (12), 2:39 15 Jul 2000 United Kingdom London Arena, London, England For WBC, IBF, IBO, and lineal heavyweight titles
44 Win 40–2–1 (1) United States Steve Pannell TKO 1 (10), 2:08 8 Jan 2000 United States University Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
43 Draw 39–2–1 (1) United States Shannon Briggs MD 10 7 Aug 1999 United States Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
42 Loss 39–2 (1) United States Mike Tyson KO 5 (10), 2:59 16 Jan 1999 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
41 Win 39–1 (1) United States David Cherry TKO 1 (10), 2:38 26 Jun 1998 United States Boone County Fairgrounds, Kansas City, Missouri, US
40 Win 38–1 (1) United States Stan Johnson KO 1 (10), 0:27 24 Apr 1998 United States County Fairgrounds, Dubuque, Iowa, US
39 Win 37–1 (1) United States Lee Gilbert UD 12 21 Jun 1997 United States USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, US Retained WBA–NABA heavyweight title
38 Win 36–1 (1) United States James Stanton KO 10 (12), 3:00 10 May 1997 United States Convention Center, Coconut Grove, Florida, US Won vacant WBA–NABA heavyweight title
37 Loss 35–1 (1) United States Michael Moorer TKO 12 (12), 1:18 9 Nov 1996 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, US For IBF heavyweight title
36 NC 35–0 (1) Germany Axel Schulz SD 12 9 Dec 1995 Germany Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Germany For vacant IBF heavyweight title;
Originally an SD win for Botha, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
35 Win 35–0 United States Willie Jake UD 8 8 Apr 1995 United States Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, US
34 Win 34–0 United States Brian Sargent TKO 1 (10) 17 Mar 1995 United States Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
33 Win 33–0 United States Bill Corrigan TKO 1 (10), 0:41 7 Mar 1995 United States War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
32 Win 32–0 Canada Ken Lakusta KO 1 (10) 17 Dec 1994 Ecuador Coliseo General Rumiñahui, Quito, Ecuador
31 Win 31–0 United States Phil Scott RTD 6 (10), 3:00 2 Jul 1994 United States The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, US
30 Win 30–0 United States Martin Foster TKO 1 (10), 1:37 21 May 1994 United Kingdom Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
29 Win 29–0 United States Craig Payne RTD 7 (10) 30 Oct 1993 South Africa Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
28 Win 28–0 United States John Morton TKO 3 (10) 1 Oct 1993 United States ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, US
27 Win 27–0 United States Ron Goodwin KO 4 (10) 25 Jun 1993 United States Phoenix, Arizona, US
26 Win 26–0 United States Calvin Jones TKO 2 (10) 15 Jun 1993 United States Denison, Texas, US
25 Win 25–0 United States Billy Wright TKO 5 (8), 2:33 16 Jan 1993 United States Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, US
24 Win 24–0 United States Artie Hooks KO 1 (8) 19 Nov 1992 United States Days Inn South, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
23 Win 23–0 United States Mike Jones KO 1 (8) 19 Nov 1992 United States Days Inn South, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
22 Win 22–0 United States Russell Rierson KO 1 (8) 19 Nov 1992 United States Days Inn South, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
21 Win 21–0 United States Jimmy Bills UD 8 7 Oct 1992 United States Amarillo, Texas, US
20 Win 20–0 United States Russell Rierson KO 5 (8) 29 Sep 1992 United States Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
19 Win 19–0 United States Mike Hunter MD 8 22 Sep 1992 United States County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, US
18 Win 18–0 United States David Martin KO 3 (8) 18 Jul 1992 United States Civic Assembly Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, US
17 Win 17–0 United States Ken Jackson UD 8 4 Jul 1992 United States Dallas, Texas, US
16 Win 16–0 United States Ron Ackerson KO 3 (8) 12 Jun 1992 United States Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
15 Win 15–0 United States Marion Wilson PTS 8 29 May 1992 United States Amarillo, Texas, US
14 Win 14–0 United States Ron Ackerson KO 3 (8) 7 May 1992 United States Westin Hotel, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
13 Win 13–0 United States Tim Tomashek PTS 10 15 Nov 1991 United States ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, US
12 Win 12–0 South Africa Ginger Tshabalala SD 6 30 Sep 1991 South Africa Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
11 Win 11–0 South Africa Siza Makathini SD 10 18 Aug 1991 South Africa Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa Won Transvaal heavyweight title
10 Win 10–0 United States Shaun Ayers UD 10 30 Jun 1991 South Africa Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
9 Win 9–0 United States Rick Rice KO 3 (8) 18 Feb 1991 South Africa Voortrekkerhoogte, Pretoria, South Africa
8 Win 8–0 South Africa Gideon Hlongwa PTS 6 27 Jan 1991 South Africa Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
7 Win 7–0 United States Leander Collins KO 2 (8) 22 Sep 1990 United States International Convention Center, Brownsville, Texas, US
6 Win 6–0 United States Andre Smiley KO 2 (8) 11 Sep 1990 United States Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
5 Win 5–0 United States Kevin Denson PTS 6 25 Aug 1990 United States Civic Center, Lewiston, Maine, US
4 Win 4–0 United States Elvis Franks UD 4 23 Jun 1990 United States Dallas, Texas, US
3 Win 3–0 United States Joe Adams UD 4 27 Apr 1990 United States Point Cadet Plaza, Biloxi, Mississippi, US
2 Win 2–0 South Africa Themba Msweli PTS 4 9 Apr 1990 South Africa University Arena, Pretoria, South Africa
1 Win 1–0 South Africa Johan Van Zyl KO 1 (4) 11 Feb 1990 South Africa Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa

Kickboxing record

4 Wins, 12 Losses
Date Result Opponent Event Method Round Time
21/11/2015 Loss China Asihati Kunlun Fight 34, Shenzhen, China [7] Decision 3 3:00
27/09/2008 Loss France Gregory Tony WFC 6, Sofia, Bulgaria Decision 3 3:00
30/03/2008 Win Thailand Kaoklai Kaennorsing The Khan 1, Seoul, Korea Decision 3 3:00
14/10/2006 Win Brazil Espedito Da Silva K-1 Rules Africa Bomba-Yaa 2006 KO (strikes) 2 N/A
20/05/2006 Loss Sweden Jorgen Kruth K-1 Scandinavia GP in Stockholm Decision 3 3:00
5/03/2006 Loss New Zealand Ray Sefo K-1 WGP 2005 in Auckland Decision 3 3:00
23/09/2005 Loss Japan Musashi K-1 2005 WGP Final Elimination Decision 3 3:00
13/08/2005 Loss United States Mighty Mo K-1 2005 in Las Vegas II TKO (strikes) 1 1:20
4/12/2004 Loss Netherlands Remy Bonjasky K-1 2004 WGP Final Decision 3 3:00
4/12/2004 Win Netherlands Peter Aerts K-1 2004 WGP Final TKO (leg injury) 1 1:13
25/09/2004 Win France Jérôme Le Banner K-1 2004 WGP Final Elimination TKO (injury) 3 N/A
6/05/2004 Loss Netherlands Remy Bonjasky K-1 WGP in Nagoya Decision 3 3:00
27/03/2004 Loss Belgium Aziz Khattou K-1 WGP in Saitama Decision 3 3:00
31/12/2003 Loss Japan Yusuke Fujimoto Dynamite!! Decision 3 3:00
6/12/2003 Loss France Cyril Abidi K-1 2003 WGP Final Decision 3 3:00
11/09/2003 Loss France 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 Japan Yoshihiro Akiyama K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!! Submission (armbar) 1 1:54 Japan Osaka, Japan

References

  1. ↑ "BOXING;Botha Tests Positive Again". The New York Times. 27 January 1996.
  2. ↑ "Holyfield v Botha fight in Uganda is delayed". BBC News. 4 January 2010.
  3. ↑ "Dan Rafael". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2009.
  4. ↑ "BoxRec Boxing Records".
  5. ↑ "Frans Botha - Boxer".
  6. ↑ Boxing: Nasser blamed for confusion over fight, by Patrick McKendry, nzherald.co.nz, dated 7 March 2013.
  7. ↑ Kunlun Fight 34: Asihati pobijedio Fransa Bothu(in Croatian)
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