Francois Botha


Francois "Frans" Botha is a South African former professional boxer and kickboxer. In boxing he competed from 1990 to 2014, and is perhaps best known 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 has competed against former Heavyweight Champions Mike Tyson, Wladimir Klitschko, Lennox Lewis, Michael Moorer and late in their respective careers, Evander Holyfield. Botha participated once in mixed martial arts in 2004.

Boxing career

Early career

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 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 at the Uganda Nelson Mandela Memorial Stadium in Kampala, Uganda. 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. 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. 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 Jérôme 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

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
63Loss48–11–3 Andrzej WawrzykTKO5, 1:5615 Mar 2014 Hotel Arłamów, Arłamów, PolandFor vacant Poland International heavyweight title
62Loss48–10–3 Joseph ParkerTKO2, 2:3213 Jun 2013 The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
61Loss48–9–3 Sonny Bill WilliamsUD108 Feb 2013 Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, AustraliaFor vacant WBA International heavyweight title
60Loss48–8–3 Francesco PianetaUD107 Sep 2012 RWE Rhein-Ruhr Sporthalle, Mülheim, Germany
59Loss48–7–3 Carlos TakamTKO11 31 Mar 2012 Gymnase Jean Richepin, Noisy-le-Grand, FranceFor WBO Africa and vacant WBF International heavyweight titles
58Loss48–6–3 Michael GrantKO12, 2:2319 Nov 2011 Montecasino, Johannesburg, South AfricaFor WBF heavyweight title
57Win48–5–3 Flo SimbaTKO6, 2:504 Jun 2011 Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa
56Loss47–5–3 Evander HolyfieldTKO8, 0:5510 Apr 2010 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, USFor vacant WBF heavyweight title
55Draw47–4–3 Pedro CarriónMD1224 Oct 2009 Anhalt Arena, Dessau, GermanyFor vacant WBF heavyweight title
54Win47–4–2 Timo HoffmannSD1215 May 2009 Bördelandhalle, Magdeburg, GermanyRetained WBF heavyweight title
53Win46–4–2 Ron GuerreroUD126 Feb 2009 Tlokwe Banquet Hall, Potchefstroom, South AfricaWon vacant WBF heavyweight title
52Win45–4–2 Bob MirovicUD126 Jul 2007 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaWon vacant WBF interim heavyweight title
51Draw44–4–2 Clifford EtienneMD1027 Jul 2002 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
50Loss44–4–1 Wladimir KlitschkoTKO8, 0:4716 Mar 2002 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, GermanyFor WBO heavyweight title
49Win44–3–1 Russell ChasteenTKO3, 1:3613 Jul 2001 Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, Rancho Mirage, California, US
48Win43–3–1 David BosticeUD105 Jun 2001 Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
47Win42–3–1 Joey GuyKO1, 2:4016 Mar 2001 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, US
46Win41–3–1 Tony LaRosaTKO1, 2:562 Nov 2000 Washington, D.C., US
45Loss40–3–1 Lennox LewisTKO2, 2:3915 Jul 2000 London Arena, London, EnglandFor WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles
44Win40–2–1 Steve PannellTKO1, 2:088 Jan 2000 University Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
43Draw39–2–1 Shannon Briggs107 Aug 1999 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
42Loss39–2 Mike TysonKO5, 2:5916 Jan 1999 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
41Win39–1 David CherryTKO1, 2:3826 Jun 1998 Boone County Fairgrounds, Kansas City, Missouri, US
40Win38–1 Stan JohnsonKO1, 0:2724 Apr 1998 County Fairgrounds, Dubuque, Iowa, US
39Win37–1 Lee GilbertUD1221 Jun 1997 USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, USRetained WBA–NABA heavyweight title
38Win36–1 James StantonKO10, 3:0010 May 1997 Convention Center, Coconut Grove, Florida, USWon vacant WBA–NABA heavyweight title
37Loss35–1 Michael MoorerTKO12, 1:189 Nov 1996 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USFor IBF heavyweight title
3635–0 Axel SchulzSD129 Dec 1995 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, GermanyVacant IBF heavyweight title at stake;
Originally an SD win for Botha, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
35Win35–0 Willie JakeUD88 Apr 1995 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, US
34Win34–0 Brian SargentTKO1 17 Mar 1995 Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
33Win33–0 Bill CorriganTKO1, 0:417 Mar 1995 War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
32Win32–0 Ken LakustaKO1 17 Dec 1994 Coliseo General Rumiñahui, Quito, Ecuador
31Win31–0 Phil ScottRTD6, 3:002 Jul 1994 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, US
30Win30–0 Martin FosterTKO1, 1:3721 May 1994 Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
29Win29–0 Craig Payne7 30 Oct 1993 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
28Win28–0 John MortonTKO3 1 Oct 1993 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, US
27Win27–0 Ron GoodwinKO4 25 Jun 1993 Phoenix, Arizona, US
26Win26–0 Calvin JonesTKO2 15 Jun 1993 Denison, Texas, US
25Win25–0 Billy Wright5, 2:3316 Jan 1993 Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, US
24Win24–0 Artie HooksKO1 19 Nov 1992 Days Inn South, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
23Win23–0 Mike JonesKO1 19 Nov 1992 Days Inn South, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
22Win22–0 Russell RiersonKO1 19 Nov 1992 Days Inn South, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
21Win21–0 Jimmy BillsUD87 Oct 1992 Amarillo, Texas, US
20Win20–0 Russell RiersonKO5 29 Sep 1992 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
19Win19–0 Mike Hunter822 Sep 1992 County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, US
18Win18–0 David MartinKO3 18 Jul 1992 Civic Assembly Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, US
17Win17–0 Ken JacksonUD84 Jul 1992 Dallas, Texas, US
16Win16–0 Ron AckersonKO3 12 Jun 1992 Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
15Win15–0 Marion WilsonPTS829 May 1992 Amarillo, Texas, US
14Win14–0 Ron AckersonKO3 7 May 1992 Westin Hotel, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
13Win13–0 Tim TomashekPTS1015 Nov 1991 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, US
12Win12–0 Ginger TshabalalaSD630 Sep 1991 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
11Win11–0 Siza Makathini1018 Aug 1991 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaWon Transvaal heavyweight title
10Win10–0 Shaun AyersUD1030 Jun 1991 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
9Win9–0 Rick RiceKO3 18 Feb 1991 Voortrekkerhoogte, Pretoria, South Africa
8Win8–0 Gideon HlongwaPTS627 Jan 1991 Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
7Win7–0 Leander CollinsKO2 22 Sep 1990 International Convention Center, Brownsville, Texas, US
6Win6–0 Andre SmileyKO2 11 Sep 1990 Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
5Win5–0 Kevin DensonPTS625 Aug 1990 Civic Center, Lewiston, Maine, US
4Win4–0 Elvis FranksUD423 Jun 1990 Dallas, Texas, US
3Win3–0 Joe Adams427 Apr 1990 Point Cadet Plaza, Biloxi, Mississippi, US
2Win2–0 Themba Msweli49 Apr 1990 University Arena, Pretoria, South Africa
1Win1–0 Johan Van Zyl1 11 Feb 1990 Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa

Kickboxing record

Mixed martial arts record