Holyfield halts Botha in 8th
Source: Agencies |
April 12, 2010, Monday
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FORMER heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is using George Foreman's comeback more than 15 years ago as inspiration after notching his latest victory on Saturday.
The 47-year-old Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) won by TKO against 41-year-old Frans Botha with 2:05 left in the eighth round in Las Vegas. Holyfield had knocked down the South African 31 seconds earlier with a right to the chin.
Botha (47-5-3) beat referee Russell Mora's count, but Mora then stopped the fight with the fighter backed into a corner, giving Holyfield the lightly regarded World Boxing Federation heavyweight championship belt.
"I'm going to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world," Holyfield said.
Two judges had Botha ahead 67-66 when the fight was stopped. The other had it 69-64 for Holyfield.
"I'm happy Botha gave me an opportunity," Holyfield said. "When people talk about you, it's who I fought. I fought the best."
There were only 3,127 people at the Thomas & Mack Center, most rooting for Holyfield in his first fight since December 20, 2008, when he lost a majority decision to Russian Nikolay Valuev.
"George Foreman said, 'It's not about my age'," Holyfield referred to what the former champ said back in the 1990s. "He became heavyweight champion of the world."
In the second round, Holyfield briefly lost his balance, stumbling into a corner after a right from Botha with 2:04 left.
"(Holyfield has) got the skills. He's got the determination," Botha said. "He landed his shots. He's a true warrior. I didn't feel ashamed losing to a great champion like him."
At the post-fight press conference, it was mentioned Holyfield would like to fight one of the Ukrainian Klitschko brothers, who hold three of the four major heavyweight belts. Wladimir Klitschko holds two titles, while Vitali holds one.
The 47-year-old Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) won by TKO against 41-year-old Frans Botha with 2:05 left in the eighth round in Las Vegas. Holyfield had knocked down the South African 31 seconds earlier with a right to the chin.
Botha (47-5-3) beat referee Russell Mora's count, but Mora then stopped the fight with the fighter backed into a corner, giving Holyfield the lightly regarded World Boxing Federation heavyweight championship belt.
"I'm going to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world," Holyfield said.
Two judges had Botha ahead 67-66 when the fight was stopped. The other had it 69-64 for Holyfield.
"I'm happy Botha gave me an opportunity," Holyfield said. "When people talk about you, it's who I fought. I fought the best."
There were only 3,127 people at the Thomas & Mack Center, most rooting for Holyfield in his first fight since December 20, 2008, when he lost a majority decision to Russian Nikolay Valuev.
"George Foreman said, 'It's not about my age'," Holyfield referred to what the former champ said back in the 1990s. "He became heavyweight champion of the world."
In the second round, Holyfield briefly lost his balance, stumbling into a corner after a right from Botha with 2:04 left.
"(Holyfield has) got the skills. He's got the determination," Botha said. "He landed his shots. He's a true warrior. I didn't feel ashamed losing to a great champion like him."
At the post-fight press conference, it was mentioned Holyfield would like to fight one of the Ukrainian Klitschko brothers, who hold three of the four major heavyweight belts. Wladimir Klitschko holds two titles, while Vitali holds one.
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