Holyfield defeats Botha in pointless title fight
Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield defeated Francois Botha by eight round knockout to capture the lightly-regarded World Boxing Federation heavyweight title at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs), the only boxer to ever win the heavyweight title on five occasions, is still adamant that he will again become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
"Im going to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, George Foreman said, 'It's not about the age. He became heavyweight champion of the world." said Holyfield, 47, an alleged steroid abuser who was recently cited for domestic abuse.
Botha (47-6-3, 28 KOs) claimed he is not ashamed that he lost to a fighter like Holyfield and he lauded the spent "Warrior's" abilities in the ring.
"Holyfield has got the skills. He's got the determination, he landed his shots... he's a true warrior. I didn't feel ashamed losing to a true champion like him." said Botha, 41.
Holyfield once was a true warrior and true champion, now "The Real Deal" is everything that is wrong with the sport of boxing and he is making a mockery out of his legacy. In August 2005, the New York State Athletic Commission compassionately banned Holyfield from fighting in The Empire State due to his "diminishing skills." Nevertheless, strictly for monetary reasons, Holyfield continues his foolish crusade in the squared circle.
"The Real Deal" is now determined to scrap the Klitschko brother's and WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (24-1, 22 KOs) to consolidate the various belts. It is apparent that Evander Holyfield will "keep fighting until the fight is lost in" him. Boxing and Evander Holyfield sadly deserve each other.
While current WBA champion David Haye of Britain is expected to face one of the title-holding Klitschko brothers -- IBF/WBO king Wladimir or WBC champion Vitali -- in his next fight, Holyfield has staked his claim to be considered as a future challenger. Holyfield's last bid at a recognized heavyweight title saw him defeated on points by giant Russian Nikolai Valuev in a WBA bout in 2008.
"I've been telling people since 1992 when I lost to Riddick Bowe that I was going to be undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. I won two but not the third, Botha gave me an opportunity. People talk about my legacy. It's about who you've fought. They can't deny me -- I fight the best. I always want to fight somebody to get a little credit if I beat them." Holyfield said.
Holyfield, an Olympic bronze medallist who won his first professional fight in 1984, said that he would ignore critics who said he was too old to be taken seriously.