/ 25 April 2000

BOTHA FRONT-RUNNER TO FACE LEWIS

SOUTH Africa’s Frans Botha looks to be the frontrunner to face Lennox Lewis on July 15 in London, if Lewis retains his title against Michael Grant on Saturday night. The other two fighters in the running named by Lewis’s promoter Panos Eliades last week are David Tua and Vladimir Klitschko. An announcement on who Lewis’ opponent will be for the London date is expected to be made in the press conference following the heavyweight title clash. Botha seems to be the number-one fighter after his impressive showing against Mike Tyson last January, followed by a disputed draw against Shannon Briggs. Lewis is keen on getting in the ring against Tyson, but “Iron Mike” says he is not yet ready for such a bout.