/ 16 July 2011

Botha confirms Holyfield fight

South African boxer Francois Botha says he has agreed to face fellow veteran Evander Holyfield for the WBF heavyweight title.

Botha said on Saturday he would promote the fight which would be held at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on October 8.

“We have both agreed to fight later this year,” Botha said.

“I’m promoting the fight myself using my company White Buffalo Promotions.

“I’m just tying up a few loose ends before making an official announcement.” It would be the first boxing match to be held at the stadium which was built to accommodate Fifa World Cup matches last year.

Botha (42) won his last fight against heavyweight prospect Flo Simba at Emperors Palace last month.

In his previous fight, more than a year earlier, the former IBF champion had lost to Holyfield in the eighth round in a clash for the WBF title in Las Vegas.

Holyfield (48) defeated Brian Nielsen of Denmark in his last fight in Copenhagen in May.

The American, a former Olympic medallist, is a multiple world champion and the only fighter to have twice beaten heavyweight legend Mike Tyson. — Sapa