Francois Botha

Francois Botha
Born (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)
Weight 118 kg (260 lb; 18.6 st)
Division Heavyweight
Style Boxing
Stance Orthodox
Team Vallentuna Boxing Camp
Trainer Mats Söderström
Po Lindwall
Years active 1990–present
Professional boxing record
Total 63
Wins 48
By knockout 29
Losses 11
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 best known for winning the IBF heavyweight title in 1995 against Axel Schulz, a title later stripped from Botha after he tested positive for steroids. Botha has 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 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), 11 Losses, 3 Draws, 1 No Contest
Result Record Opponent Type Rounds Date Location Notes
Loss 48-11-3
1 NC
Poland Andrzej Wawrzyk TKO 5 (10) 15/03/2014 Poland Hotel Arłamów, Arłamów, Poland
Loss 48-10-3
1 NC
New Zealand Joseph Parker TKO 2 (8) 13/06/2013 New Zealand Trusts Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Loss 48-9-3
1 NC
New Zealand Sonny Bill Williams UD 10 (12) 08/02/2013 Australia Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Queensland For the vacant WBA International heavyweight belt
Loss 48-8-3
1 NC
Italy Francesco Pianeta UD 10 07/09/2012 Germany RWE Rhein-Ruhr Sporthalle, Mülheim, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Judges' scores were 96-100, 92-99 & 93-97.
Loss 48-7-3
1 NC
France Carlos Takam TKO 11 (12) 31/03/2012 France Gymnase Jean Richepin, Noisy-le-Grand, Seine-Saint-Denis, France For WBO Africa heavyweight title.
Loss 48-6-3
1 NC
United States Michael Grant KO 12 (12) 19/11/2011 South Africa Monte Casino, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa For WBF Heavyweight title.
Win 48-5-3
1 NC
South Africa Flo Simba TKO 6 (10) 04/06/2011 South Africa Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa
Loss 47-5-3
1 NC
United States Evander Holyfield TKO 8 (12) 10/04/2010 United States Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For vacant WBF Heavyweight title. Botha down in round 8.
Draw 47-4-3
1 NC
Cuba Pedro Carrion MD 12 24/10/2009 Germany Anhalt Arena, Dessau, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany For vacant WBF Heavyweight title.
Win 47-4-2
1 NC
Germany Timo Hoffmann SD 12 15/05/2009 Germany Bordelandhalle, Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany Won WBF Heavyweight title. Hoffmann down in round 11.
Win 46-4-2
1 NC
United States Ron Guerrero UD 12 06/02/2009 South Africa Tlokwe Banquet Hall, Potchefstroom, North-West, South Africa Won vacant WBF Heavyweight title.
Win 45-4-2
1 NC
Australia Bob Mirovic UD 12 06/07/2007 South Africa Carousel Hotel & Casino, Temba, North-West, South Africa Won interim WBF Heavyweight title.
Draw 44-4-2
1 NC
United States Clifford Etienne PTS 10 27/07/2002 United States New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Etienne down in the 5th and 6th rounds.
Loss 44-4-1
1 NC
Ukraine Wladimir Klitschko TKO 8 (12) 16/03/2002 Germany Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany For WBO Heavyweight title.
Win 44-3-1
1 NC
United States Russell Chasteen TKO 3 (10) 13/07/2001 United States Agua Caliente Casino, Rancho Mirage, California, United States
Win 43-3-1
1 NC
United States David Bostice UD 10 05/06/2001 United States Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 42-3-1
1 NC
United States Joey Guy KO 1 (10) 16/03/2001 United States Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 41-3-1
1 NC
United States Tony LaRosa TKO 1 (10) 02/11/2000 United States District of Columbia, United States
Loss 40-3-1
1 NC
United Kingdom Lennox Lewis TKO 2 (12) 15/07/2000 United Kingdom New London Arena, Millwall, London, England, United Kingdom For WBC, IBF & IBO Heavyweight titles.
Win 40-2-1
1 NC
United States Steve Pannell TKO 1 (10) 08/01/2000 United States The Pit, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Draw 39-2-1
1 NC
United States Shannon Briggs MD 10 07/08/1999 United States Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Botha down in round 8.
Loss 39–2
1 NC
United States Mike Tyson KO 5 (10) 16/01/1999 United States MGM Grand Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 39–1
1 NC
United States David Cherry TKO 1 (10) 26/06/1998 United States Boone County Fairgrounds, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 38–1
1 NC
United States Stan Johnson KO 1 (10) 24/04/1998 United States Fairground, Dubuque, Iowa, United States
Win 37–1
1 NC
United States Lee Gilbert UD 12 21/06/1997 United States Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, United States Retained NABA Heavyweight title. Gilbert down in round 11.
Win 36–1
1 NC
United States James Stanton KO 10 (12) 10/05/1997 United States Convention Center, Coconut Grove, Florida, United States Won vacant NABA Heavyweight title.
Loss 35–1
1 NC
United States Michael Moorer TKO 12 (12) 09/11/1996 United States MGM Grand Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For IBF Heavyweight title.
NC 35–0
1 NC
Germany Axel Schulz NC 12 09/12/1995 Germany 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 United States Willie Jake UD 8 08/04/1995 United States Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 34–0 United States Brian Sargent TKO 1 (10) 17/03/1995 United States Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Win 33–0 United States Bill Corrigan TKO 1 (10) 07/03/1995 United States Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 32–0 Canada Ken Lakusta KO 1 (10) 17/12/1994 Ecuador Ruminahui Coliseum, Quito, Ecuador
Win 31–0 United States Phil Scott KO 6 (10) 02/07/1994 United States Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 30–0 United States Martin Foster TKO 1 (10) 21/05/1994 United Kingdom Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Win 29–0 United States Craig Payne KO 7 (10) 30/10/1993 South Africa Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Win 28–0 United States John Morton TKO 3 (10) 01/10/1993 United States Arco Arena, Sacramento, California, United States
Win 27–0 Ron Goodwin KO 4 (10) 25/06/1993 United States Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 26–0 United States Calvin Jones TKO 2 (10) 15/06/1993 United States Denison, Texas, United States
Win 25–0 United States Billy Wright TKO 5 (10) 16/01/1993 United States Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, United States
Win 24–0 Artie Hooks KO 1 (8) 19/11/1992 United States Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 23–0 United States Mike Jones KO 1 (8) 19/11/1992 United States Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 22–0 United States Russell Rierson KO 1 (8) 19/11/1992 United States Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 21–0 United States Jimmy Bills UD 8 07/10/1992 United States Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win 20–0 United States Russell Rierson KO 5 (8) 29/09/1992 United States Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 19–0 United States Mike Hunter MD 8 22/09/1992 United States El Paso, Texas, United States Botha down in round 1.
Win 18–0 United States David Martin KO 3 (8) 18/07/1992 United States Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 17–0 United States Ken Jackson UD 8 04/07/1992 United States Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 16–0 United States Ron Ackerson KO 3 (8) 12/06/1992 United States Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 15–0 United States Marion Wilson PTS 8 29/05/1992 United States Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win 14–0 United States Ron Ackerson KO 3 (8) 07/05/1992 United States Westlin Hotel, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 13–0 United States Tim Tomashek PTS 10 15/11/1991 United States Sacramento, California, United States
Win 12–0 South Africa Ginger Tshabalala SD 8 30/09/1991 South Africa Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Win 11–0 South Africa Siza Makathini PTS 10 18/08/1991 South Africa Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Won Transvaal Heavyweight title.
Win 10–0 United States Shaun Ayers PTS 10 30/06/1991 South Africa Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Win 9–0 United States Rick Rice KO 3 (8) 18/02/1991 South Africa Arena Indoor Hall, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Win 8–0 South Africa Gideon Hlongwa PTS 8 27/01/1991 South Africa Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Win 7–0 United States Leander Collins KO 2 (8) 22/09/1990 United States Intl. Convention Center, Brownsville, Texas, United States
Win 6–0 United States Andre Smiley KO 2 (8) 11/09/1990 United States Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 5–0 United States Kevin Denson PTS 6 25/08/1990 United States Central Maine Civic Center, Lewiston, Maine, United States
Win 4–0 United States Elvis Franks PTS 4 23/06/1990 United States Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 3–0 United States Joe Adams PTS 4 27/04/1990 United States Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Win 2–0 South Africa Themba Msweli PTS 4 09/04/1990 South Africa Pretoria University Arena, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Win 1–0 South Africa Johan Van Zyl KO 1 (4) 11/02/1990 South Africa 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, 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 2
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 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 KO (Leg Injury) 1 1:13
25/09/2004 Win France Jérôme Le Banner K-1 2004 WGP Final Elimination TKO (forfeit) 3 0:00
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

External links

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