http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/francois_botha/74178 Recent articles about Francois Botha en-us The boxing bits tickling our pickles this month… Andrew Harrison I’m looking forward to seeing “Bulletproof” Kirk Goodings against TBA in Houghton-le-Spring on April 19. Goodings (junior welterweight) is always great value. I witnessed him get knocked out for nine seconds a couple years back against Lee Jennings, only to jump up Bruce Seldon-style at the last breath and then set fire to the Liverpool man. Cultured Co. Durham southpaw Martin Ward goes for the British bantamweight title on April 27 against Bristol’s Lee Haskins. Haskins was recently involved in a sleeper hit against Belgian menace Stephane Jamoye and so will likely be a tough nut to crack. On the same evening in Sheffield, junior welterweight Amir Khan takes on Mexican Julio Diaz and there’s plenty going on beneath that one, including a heavyweight battle you won’t be able to take your eyes off in Deontay Wilder and Audley Harrison. If you like watching canned shoots, that is. Tim Starks We're in... Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:05:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_highlight_reel_april_2013/13304431 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_highlight_reel_april_2013/13304431 The Highlight Reel: April 2013 http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/the_highlight_reel_april_2013/13304431 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/c/ecef4c472e92a5c0323f682bf2aece07c4d75f90/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f1041428.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193B07CCDF00DC06F5722CCF943BBEB3678E30A760B0D811297.jpg Wladimir Klitschko defends titles against Francesco Pianeta in Mannheim, Germany World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko will defend his titles against Francesco Pianeta at the SAP arena Mannheim, Germany on May 4. Francesco Pianeta is 28 years old, undefeated and 6'3". Southpaw Pianeta was WBC Junior World Champion and EBU Champion. In his eight-year-career he beat former WBC Heavyweight Champion Oliver McCall and four-time world title challenger Francois Botha. However, his most difficult fight Pianeta had outside the ring: When cancer was diagnosed in 2009 he was forced to stop his sports. After overcoming the illness he had a tremendous comeback in the ring in 2010. Pianeta is ranked # 9 in the WBO and # 12 in the WBA and IBO. He has a fight record of 28-0 wins with 15 KOs and one draw. He was born in Cosenza, Italy and moved with his parents to Gelsenkirchen, Germany at the age of 6. Francesco Pianeta: "I was in Wladimir’s camp as a sparring partner last yea... Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:22:19 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/wladimir_klitschko_set_for_title_defense_on_may_4_fight_details_quotes/13055338 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/wladimir_klitschko_set_for_title_defense_on_may_4_fight_details_quotes/13055338 Wladimir Klitschko set for title defense on May 4: Fight details & quotes http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/wladimir_klitschko_set_for_title_defense_on_may_4_fight_details_quotes/13055338 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/2/92421d918aa8d15d8a1f9fd2e239225c0048c908/mini/Boxen_Pressekonferenz_2005_5605.jpg Australian media reports say former WBF heavyweight champion Francois Botha tested positive to the banned stimulant Phentermine before his bout with rugby player Sonny Bill Williams on Friday. The reports said the banned substance was found in a urine sample taken on Tuesday from the 44-year-old South African, who has fought Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Michael Moorer and Lennox Lewis during a 20-year-professional career. The test also found traces of Benzodiazepine, a valium-like product, in Botha's system. Results will be sent to the Panama headquarters of the WBA, which sanctioned Friday's bout. Botha lost a unanimous but contentious points decision to Williams. Sun, 10 Feb 2013 10:13:37 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/report_former_world_champ_botha_fails_drugs_test/12883639 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/report_former_world_champ_botha_fails_drugs_test/12883639 Report: former world champ Botha fails drugs test http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/report_former_world_champ_botha_fails_drugs_test/12883639 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/4/5401268d35344f7efc087ff5c70b9ae92d3831d2/mini/Francois_Botha_b6dd.jpg A regional boxing official has criticized organizers of Sonny Bill Williams' title fight, saying they have ''defrauded'' the Australian public. The WBA international heavyweight title fight between the former All Blacks star and South African veteran Francois Botha ended with Williams receiving a unanimous points decision. But the fight ended after 10 rounds, instead of 12, as per WBA rules and as had been advertised. WBA Oceania representative Brad Vocale said he had doubts as to whether the fight was ever sanctioned by the WBA and that ''sadly, boxing has been given a black eye again.'' Many fans at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre booed the decision, believing Botha had won. On Saturday, some bookmaking agencies refunded bets on the fight and Botha, 44, challenged Williams to a rematch. Sat, 09 Feb 2013 03:06:57 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/sonny_bill_williams_fight_criticized_as_a_fraud/12876634 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/sonny_bill_williams_fight_criticized_as_a_fraud/12876634 Sonny Bill Williams fight criticized as a fraud http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/sonny_bill_williams_fight_criticized_as_a_fraud/12876634 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The heavyweight fight between former New Zealand rugby international Sonny Bill Williams and South Africa's Francois Botha has been rescheduled for February after Williams underwent surgery on a chest injury. World Sport Promotions, the South African promoter of the fight, said on Wednesday an exact date would be worked out after it meets with Australian broadcaster Fox Sports. Williams, the New Zealand heavyweight champion and a dual rugby league and union international, was due to fight veteran boxer Botha in Brisbane on Nov. 24. Thinus Strydom of WSP said ''we wish Williams a speedy recovery and hope that he is able to return to training soon.'' Williams tweeted earlier Wednesday that the operation on the pectoral muscle he hurt playing for his rugby club in Japan was a success. Wed, 31 Oct 2012 07:32:18 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/sonny_bill_williams_fight_put_back_to_february/12096775 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/sonny_bill_williams_fight_put_back_to_february/12096775 Sonny Bill Williams fight put back to February http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/sonny_bill_williams_fight_put_back_to_february/12096775 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png France-based Cameroonian Carlos Takam is the new World Boxing Federation International Heavyweight Champion after scoring his biggest victor so far on Saturday night in Noisy-le-Grand, France, stopping former World Champion Francois Botha in the eleventh round. The 31-year-old Takam, a 2004 Olympian, improved his impressive professional record to 25-1 (20), while South African Botha falls to 48-7-3 (29), and could be at the end of the line after an impressive career that saw him capture IBF and WBF world titles, and included fights against some of the sport’s biggest names. Credit: WBF Botha fought well in the early rounds, and had his moments against the lesser experienced hometown favorite, but as the rounds went by the physical advantage and punching power of Takam took its toll, and he slowly but surely began to wear the visitor down. After the bout an ecstatic Takam praised Botha for putting up a good fight, and promised his fans that the victory is only the first of many bi... Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:34:59 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/cameroonian_heavyweight_carlos_takam_stops_frans_botha_in_11/10457869 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/cameroonian_heavyweight_carlos_takam_stops_frans_botha_in_11/10457869 Cameroonian heavyweight Carlos Takam stops Frans Botha in 11 http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/cameroonian_heavyweight_carlos_takam_stops_frans_botha_in_11/10457869 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png American Michael Grant stopped South Africa’s Francois Botha in the 12th round of their heavyweight fight to claim the vacant W.B.F. title Saturday night. Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:53:02 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/grant_knocks_out_botha_in_12th_round_for_wbf_heavyweight_title/8208976 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/grant_knocks_out_botha_in_12th_round_for_wbf_heavyweight_title/8208976 Grant Knocks Out Botha in 12th Round for W.B.F. Heavyweight Title http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/grant_knocks_out_botha_in_12th_round_for_wbf_heavyweight_title/8208976 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/4/5401268d35344f7efc087ff5c70b9ae92d3831d2/mini/Francois_Botha_b6dd.jpg American Michael Grant stopped South Africa's Francois Botha in the 12th round of their heavyweight fight to claim the vacant WBF title Saturday night. Grant dropped Botha with a right hand with 37 seconds left at Montecasino. ''I knew I had the strength to knock him out in the 12th round,'' Grant said. The 43-year-old Botha dominated from the start, nearly finishing off the 39-year-old Grant in the seventh and 11th rounds. Botha charged in on the taller, leaner Grant and was probably ahead on the cards. But Grant rallied right at the end for a dramatic win to improve to 48-4 with 36 knockouts. Botha dropped to 48-6-3 with one no-contest. Botha also lost his first shot at the vacant minor belt to Evander Holyfield in 2010. Holyfield eventually relinquished it. Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:49:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/grant_kos_botha_in_12th_round/8205655 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/grant_kos_botha_in_12th_round/8205655 Grant KOs Botha in 12th round http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/grant_kos_botha_in_12th_round/8205655 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/a/5a5f07b0d0c2a428aaaf42c14f704d31f40aa128/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f52855099.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d404E195ABDEC2A9EA8ECCD509A0D235D.jpg American Michael Grant stopped South Africa's Francois Botha in the 12th round of their heavyweight fight to claim the vacant WBF title Saturday night. Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:19:12 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/grant_kos_botha_to_claim_wbf_heavyweight_belt/8204626 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/grant_kos_botha_to_claim_wbf_heavyweight_belt/8204626 Grant KOs Botha to claim WBF heavyweight belt http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/grant_kos_botha_to_claim_wbf_heavyweight_belt/8204626 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/4/5401268d35344f7efc087ff5c70b9ae92d3831d2/mini/Francois_Botha_b6dd.jpg American Michael Grant stopped South Africa's Francois Botha in the 12th round of their heavyweight fight to claim the vacant WBF title Saturday night. Grant dropped Botha with a right hand with 37 seconds left at Montecasino. The 43-year-old Botha dominated from the start, nearly finishing off the 39-year-old Grant in the seventh and 11th rounds. Botha charged in on the taller, leaner Grant and was probably ahead on the cards. But Grant rallied right at the end for a dramatic win to improve to 48-4 with 36 knockouts. Botha dropped to 48-6-3 with one no-contest. Botha also lost his first shot at the vacant minor belt to Evander Holyfield in 2010. Holyfield eventually relinquished it. Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:05:21 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/grant_kos_botha_in_12th_round_for_wbf_heavy_title/8203771 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/grant_kos_botha_in_12th_round_for_wbf_heavy_title/8203771 Grant KOs Botha in 12th round for WBF heavy title http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/grant_kos_botha_in_12th_round_for_wbf_heavy_title/8203771 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/4/5401268d35344f7efc087ff5c70b9ae92d3831d2/mini/Francois_Botha_b6dd.jpg American Michael Grant stopped South Africa's Francois Botha in the 12th round of their heavyweight fight to claim the vacant WBF title Saturday night. Sat, 19 Nov 2011 17:56:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/grant_kos_botha_in_12th_round_for_wbf_heavy_title/8204026 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/grant_kos_botha_in_12th_round_for_wbf_heavy_title/8204026 Grant KOs Botha in 12th round for WBF heavy title http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/grant_kos_botha_in_12th_round_for_wbf_heavy_title/8204026 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/a/5a5f07b0d0c2a428aaaf42c14f704d31f40aa128/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f52855099.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d404E195ABDEC2A9EA8ECCD509A0D235D.jpg Who's ready to talk about some boxing outside of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez-Floyd Mayweather triumvirate? Fantastic!Tonight on HBO's Boxing After Dark, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. takes on Peter Manfredo in a fight in which the only visible link to the above paragraph will be the presence of trainer Freddie Roach. At stake is Junior's WBC middleweight strap, though there's also something a little extra (and different) up for grabs for each man. For Chavez, it will be another stepping stone toward respectability in the eyes of many who believe he's been coddled on his rise through the ranks. I tend to agree, though things turned serious once he teamed up with Roach. A future date with Sergio Martinez, the real ruler of his weight class, has already been mentioned, but if there's anyone who truly believes he's ready for that kind of challenge, I haven't met him or her yet.Manfredo is fighting just to stay relevant. Once a known quantity for his performance on the origin Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:39:48 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/weekend_boxing_predictions_chavez_jr_vs_manfredo_and_more/8198197 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/weekend_boxing_predictions_chavez_jr_vs_manfredo_and_more/8198197 Weekend Boxing Predictions: Chavez Jr. vs. Manfredo and More http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/weekend_boxing_predictions_chavez_jr_vs_manfredo_and_more/8198197 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/7/c760caa7feb4469e8b0813dd2847ae12cc79df12/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f55882250.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193268B03E3DD5E0E099D930B07FF42B7E3.jpg Francois Botha and Michael Grant speak and weigh-in early for Saturdays World Boxing Federation (WBF) World Heavyweight Title Fight in Johannesburg, South Africa. Video: Read more [...] Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:48:35 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/botha_vs_grant_press_conference_and_weigh_in_video/8153134 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/botha_vs_grant_press_conference_and_weigh_in_video/8153134 Botha vs Grant Press Conference and Weigh-In Video http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/botha_vs_grant_press_conference_and_weigh_in_video/8153134 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/4/5401268d35344f7efc087ff5c70b9ae92d3831d2/mini/Francois_Botha_b6dd.jpg Former WBF World Heavyweight Champion Francois Botha is beaming with confidence ahead of his attempt to reclaim his old, now vacant, crown against American Michael Grant in the headliner of Showpony Promotions “Urban War” extravaganza at the Monte Casino in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday November 19. And just like in the ring, the man nicknamed “The White Buffalo” is pulling no punches when interviewed: “I see a knockout coming. The Buffalo is going to roam the Prairie. I'm going to knock him out”, Botha, 48-5-3 (29), recently told IOL Sport when asked about his view Read more [...] Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:06:45 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/botha_i_see_a_knockout_coming/8130493 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/botha_i_see_a_knockout_coming/8130493 Botha-I See A Knockout Coming http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/botha_i_see_a_knockout_coming/8130493 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/4/5401268d35344f7efc087ff5c70b9ae92d3831d2/mini/Francois_Botha_b6dd.jpg