Evander “The Real Deal”
Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs)
stopped defending World Boxing
Federation World Heavyweight
champion Francois Botha with
2:05 left in round eight
Saturday night (April 10) at the
Thomas & Mack Centre in Las
Vegas. Holyfield knocked Botha
down 31 seconds earlier with a
right to the chin.
Botha beat referee Russell
Mora's count, but Mora moments
later stopped the fight with
Botha backed into a corner.
Two of the judges, Jerry Roth
and Glenn Feldman, had Botha
ahead 67-66 at the time of the
stoppage, while the third, Herb
Santee, had it 69-64 for
Holyfield.
Botha started best, and it
looked as if he had the formula
to beat Holyfield. But as the
rounds wore on, the man from
Atlanta worked his way into the
bout and ultimately found his
way to the victory.
"I'm happy Botha gave me an
opportunity," Holyfield said.
"When people talk about you,
it's who I fought. I fought the
best. George Foreman said, 'It's
not about my age,"
The now former champion was full
of respect for his legendary
opponent, saying:
"Holyfield has got the skills.
He's got the determination. He
landed his shots. He's a true
warrior. I don’t feel ashamed
losing to a great champion like
him."
WBF President Howard Goldberg,
who presented the World
championship belt to the new
champion, said:
“We were proud to have Francois
Botha as our heavyweight
champion, and obviously we are
now very proud to have a true
ring-legend as Evander Holyfield
as champion”.
The fight was promoted by Frank
Luca of Crown Boxing, and went
out world wide on Pay-Per-View.
|
