Francois Botha
![]() | This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (November 2019) |
Francois Botha | |
---|---|
![]() Botha (right) vs. Parker, 2013 | |
Born | Francois Johannes Botha 28 September 1968 Witbank, South Africa |
Nickname(s) | 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 |
|
Years active |
|
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 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 Evander Holyfield late in their respective careers. 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[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 to 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[]
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) | ![]() |
TKO | 5 (10), 1:56 | 15 Mar 2014 | ![]() |
For vacant Poland International heavyweight title |
62 | Loss | 48–10–3 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (8), 2:32 | 13 Jun 2013 | ![]() |
|
61 | Loss | 48–9–3 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 10 | 8 Feb 2013 | ![]() |
For vacant WBA International heavyweight title |
60 | Loss | 48–8–3 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 10 | 7 Sep 2012 | ![]() |
|
59 | Loss | 48–7–3 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 11 (12) | 31 Mar 2012 | ![]() |
For WBO Africa and vacant WBF (Federation) International heavyweight titles |
58 | Loss | 48–6–3 (1) | ![]() |
KO | 12 (12), 2:23 | 19 Nov 2011 | ![]() |
For WBF (Federation) heavyweight title |
57 | Win | 48–5–3 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 6 (10), 2:50 | 4 Jun 2011 | ![]() |
|
56 | Loss | 47–5–3 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 8 (12), 0:55 | 10 Apr 2010 | ![]() |
For vacant WBF (Federation) heavyweight title |
55 | Draw | 47–4–3 (1) | ![]() |
MD | 12 | 24 Oct 2009 | ![]() |
For vacant WBF (Federation) heavyweight title |
54 | Win | 47–4–2 (1) | ![]() |
SD | 12 | 15 May 2009 | ![]() |
Retained WBF (Foundation) heavyweight title |
53 | Win | 46–4–2 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 6 Feb 2009 | ![]() |
Won vacant WBF (Foundation) heavyweight title |
52 | Win | 45–4–2 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 6 Jul 2007 | ![]() |
Won vacant WBF (Foundation) interim heavyweight title |
51 | Draw | 44–4–2 (1) | ![]() |
MD | 10 | 27 Jul 2002 | ![]() |
|
50 | Loss | 44–4–1 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 8 (12), 0:47 | 16 Mar 2002 | ![]() |
For WBO heavyweight title |
49 | Win | 44–3–1 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 3 (10), 1:36 | 13 Jul 2001 | ![]() |
|
48 | Win | 43–3–1 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 10 | 5 Jun 2001 | ![]() |
|
47 | Win | 42–3–1 (1) | ![]() |
KO | 1 (10), 2:40 | 16 Mar 2001 | ![]() |
|
46 | Win | 41–3–1 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (10), 2:56 | 2 Nov 2000 | ![]() |
|
45 | Loss | 40–3–1 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (12), 2:39 | 15 Jul 2000 | ![]() |
For WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles |
44 | Win | 40–2–1 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (10), 2:08 | 8 Jan 2000 | ![]() |
|
43 | Draw | 39–2–1 (1) | ![]() |
MD | 10 | 7 Aug 1999 | ![]() |
|
42 | Loss | 39–2 (1) | ![]() |
KO | 5 (10), 2:59 | 16 Jan 1999 | ![]() |
|
41 | Win | 39–1 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (10), 2:38 | 26 Jun 1998 | ![]() |
|
40 | Win | 38–1 (1) | ![]() |
KO | 1 (10), 0:27 | 24 Apr 1998 | ![]() |
|
39 | Win | 37–1 (1) | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 21 Jun 1997 | ![]() |
Retained WBA–NABA heavyweight title |
38 | Win | 36–1 (1) | ![]() |
KO | 10 (12), 3:00 | 10 May 1997 | ![]() |
Won vacant WBA–NABA heavyweight title |
37 | Loss | 35–1 (1) | ![]() |
TKO | 12 (12), 1:18 | 9 Nov 1996 | ![]() |
For IBF heavyweight title |
36 | NC | 35–0 (1) | ![]() |
SD | 12 | 9 Dec 1995 | ![]() |
Vacant IBF heavyweight title at stake; Originally an SD win for Botha, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test |
35 | Win | 35–0 | ![]() |
UD | 8 | 8 Apr 1995 | ![]() |
|
34 | Win | 34–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (10) | 17 Mar 1995 | ![]() |
|
33 | Win | 33–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (10), 0:41 | 7 Mar 1995 | ![]() |
|
32 | Win | 32–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (10) | 17 Dec 1994 | ![]() |
|
31 | Win | 31–0 | ![]() |
RTD | 6 (10), 3:00 | 2 Jul 1994 | ![]() |
|
30 | Win | 30–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (10), 1:37 | 21 May 1994 | ![]() |
|
29 | Win | 29–0 | ![]() |
RTD | 7 (10) | 30 Oct 1993 | ![]() |
|
28 | Win | 28–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 (10) | 1 Oct 1993 | ![]() |
|
27 | Win | 27–0 | ![]() |
KO | 4 (10) | 25 Jun 1993 | ![]() |
|
26 | Win | 26–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (10) | 15 Jun 1993 | ![]() |
|
25 | Win | 25–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 5 (8), 2:33 | 16 Jan 1993 | ![]() |
|
24 | Win | 24–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (8) | 19 Nov 1992 | ![]() |
|
23 | Win | 23–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (8) | 19 Nov 1992 | ![]() |
|
22 | Win | 22–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (8) | 19 Nov 1992 | ![]() |
|
21 | Win | 21–0 | ![]() |
UD | 8 | 7 Oct 1992 | ![]() |
|
20 | Win | 20–0 | ![]() |
KO | 5 (8) | 29 Sep 1992 | ![]() |
|
19 | Win | 19–0 | ![]() |
MD | 8 | 22 Sep 1992 | ![]() |
|
18 | Win | 18–0 | ![]() |
KO | 3 (8) | 18 Jul 1992 | ![]() |
|
17 | Win | 17–0 | ![]() |
UD | 8 | 4 Jul 1992 | ![]() |
|
16 | Win | 16–0 | ![]() |
KO | 3 (8) | 12 Jun 1992 | ![]() |
|
15 | Win | 15–0 | ![]() |
PTS | 8 | 29 May 1992 | ![]() |
|
14 | Win | 14–0 | ![]() |
KO | 3 (8) | 7 May 1992 | ![]() |
|
13 | Win | 13–0 | ![]() |
PTS | 10 | 15 Nov 1991 | ![]() |
|
12 | Win | 12–0 | ![]() |
SD | 6 | 30 Sep 1991 | ![]() |
|
11 | Win | 11–0 | ![]() |
SD | 10 | 18 Aug 1991 | ![]() |
Won Transvaal heavyweight title |
10 | Win | 10–0 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | 30 Jun 1991 | ![]() |
|
9 | Win | 9–0 | ![]() |
KO | 3 (8) | 18 Feb 1991 | ![]() |
|
8 | Win | 8–0 | ![]() |
PTS | 6 | 27 Jan 1991 | ![]() |
|
7 | Win | 7–0 | ![]() |
KO | 2 (8) | 22 Sep 1990 | ![]() |
|
6 | Win | 6–0 | ![]() |
KO | 2 (8) | 11 Sep 1990 | ![]() |
|
5 | Win | 5–0 | ![]() |
PTS | 6 | 25 Aug 1990 | ![]() |
|
4 | Win | 4–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4 | 23 Jun 1990 | ![]() |
|
3 | Win | 3–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4 | 27 Apr 1990 | ![]() |
|
2 | Win | 2–0 | ![]() |
PTS | 4 | 9 Apr 1990 | ![]() |
|
1 | Win | 1–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (4) | 11 Feb 1990 | ![]() |
Kickboxing record[]
4 Wins, 12 Losses | |||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Method | Round | Time | |
21 November 2015 | Loss | ![]() |
Kunlun Fight 34, Shenzhen, China[7] | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
27 September 2008 | Loss | ![]() |
WFC 6, Sofia, Bulgaria | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
30 March 2008 | Win | ![]() |
The Khan 1, Seoul, Korea | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
14 October 2006 | Win | ![]() |
K-1 Rules Africa Bomba-Yaa 2006 | KO (strikes) | 2 | N/A | |
20 May 2006 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 Scandinavia GP in Stockholm | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
5/03/2006 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 WGP 2005 in Auckland | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
23 September 2005 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 2005 WGP Final Elimination | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
13 August 2005 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 2005 in Las Vegas II | TKO (strikes) | 1 | 1:20 | |
4/12/2004 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 2004 WGP Final | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
4/12/2004 | Win | ![]() |
K-1 2004 WGP Final | TKO (leg injury) | 1 | 1:13 | |
25 September 2004 | Win | ![]() |
K-1 2004 WGP Final Elimination | Forfeit (injury) | 3 | N/A | |
6/05/2004 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 WGP in Nagoya | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
27 March 2004 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 WGP in Saitama | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
31 December 2003 | Loss | ![]() |
Dynamite!! | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
6/12/2003 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 2003 WGP Final | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
11/09/2003 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 2003 WGP Final Elimination | DQ | 1 | 0:19 |
Mixed martial arts record[]
Professional record breakdown | ||
1 match | 0 wins | 1 loss |
By submission | 0 | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 0–1 | Yoshihiro Akiyama | Submission (armbar) | K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!! | December 31, 2004 | 1 | 1:54 | Osaka, Japan |
References[]
- ^ "BOXING;Botha Tests Positive Again". The New York Times. 27 January 1996.
- ^ "Holyfield v Botha fight in Uganda is delayed". BBC News. 4 January 2010.
- ^ "Dan Rafael". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2009.
- ^ "BoxRec Boxing Records".
- ^ "Frans Botha - Boxer".
- ^ Boxing: Nasser blamed for confusion over fight, by Patrick McKendry, nzherald.co.nz, dated 7 March 2013.
- ^ Kunlun Fight 34: Asihati pobijedio Fransa Bothu(in Croatian)
External links[]
- 1968 births
- Living people
- People from Witbank
- Afrikaner people
- Heavyweight boxers
- South African male kickboxers
- Heavyweight kickboxers
- South African male mixed martial artists
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing
- Doping cases in boxing
- South African sportspeople in doping cases
- South African male boxers
- Kunlun Fight kickboxers