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The growth of the World Boxing
Federation can be seen by the
forthcoming promotion to be held
in Johannesburg South Africa on
19 November.
Co-promoted by ShowPony and the
Southern Suns Group, new kid on
the block promoter Damian
Michael has set up one of the
most exciting extravaganza ever
to be staged in Africa.
With Evander Holyfield
relinquishing his title to fight
Alexander Povetkin in December
for the WBA heavyweight title, and
thus withdrawing from his
scheduled title fight with
Francois ‘White Buffalo’ Botha,
promoter Michael wasted no time
in putting together a thunderous
bill which will be hosted by the
world famous MonteCasino in
Johannesburg.
Stepping in to fight Botha for
the vacant title will be former
world number-one Michael Grant.
The American boasts a highly
impressive record of 45 wins
with 37 KOs against only four
losses. Two times world
heavyweight champion, Francois
Botha himself has an outstanding
record of 50 wins against only 5
defeats.
One should not forget that Botha
has fought the likes of
Holyfield, Lennox Lewis,
Wladimir Klitschko, Mike Tyson
and Michael Moorer to mention
but a few.
But the Botha vs. Grant fight is
just one of five WBF world
championship bouts scheduled for
the night. The vacant World
Cruiserweight title will be
contested between the vicious
punching Ilunga Makabu of DRC,
who has 9 wins, all by knockout,
against a solitary loss against
Pedro Otis from Brazil, who
himself has only one loss in two
dozen fights.
Throw in fighters like Ali
Funeka, Zolani Marali, Malcolm
Klassen, Lbubalo Msutu, Rafael
Guzman and one has a magnificent
event.
The relationship already forged
between the World Boxing
Federation and promoter Damian
Michael has been excellent, and
talks are already underway for a
second and even bigger show in
February next year. Our hats go
off to Michael, MonteCasino, the
Southern Suns Group and ShowPony
promotions.
As the legendary Michael Buffer
so eloquently puts it: ‘let’s
get ready to rummmmmmmble……..’ |
