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JonInMiddleGA · 04-11-2010, 12:31 PM

47-year-old Holyfield stops Botha in 8th *| ajc.com

LAS VEGAS — Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is using George Foreman's comeback more than 15 years ago as inspiration.

The 47-year-old Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) knocked out 41-year-old Frans Botha with 2:05 left in the eighth round Saturday night. Holyfield (43-10-2) knocked the defending champion down 31 seconds earlier with a right to the chin.

Botha (47-5-3) beat refree Russell Mora's count, but Mora then stopped the fight with the South African backed into a corner.

"I'm going to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world," Holyfield said.

Two judges, Jerry Roth and Glenn Feldman, had Botha ahead 67-66 when the fight was stopped. The other judge, Herb Santee, had it 69-64 for Holyfield.

"I'm happy Botha gave me an opportunity," Holyfield said. "When people talk about you, it's who I fought. I fought the best."

There were only 3,127 people at the Thomas & Mack Center, most rooting for Holyfield in his first fight since Dec. 20, 2008, when he lost a majority decision to Nikolay Valuev. ... At the post-fight press conference, it was mentioned Holyfield would like to fight one of the Klitschko brothers, who hold three of the four major heavyweight champions. Wladimir Klitschko holds two titles, while Vitali holds one.

04-11-2010, 12:31 PM	#24
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	47-year-old Holyfield stops Botha in 8th \| ajc.com LAS VEGAS — Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is using George Foreman's comeback more than 15 years ago as inspiration. The 47-year-old Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) knocked out 41-year-old Frans Botha with 2:05 left in the eighth round Saturday night. Holyfield (43-10-2) knocked the defending champion down 31 seconds earlier with a right to the chin. Botha (47-5-3) beat refree Russell Mora's count, but Mora then stopped the fight with the South African backed into a corner. "I'm going to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world," Holyfield said. Two judges, Jerry Roth and Glenn Feldman, had Botha ahead 67-66 when the fight was stopped. The other judge, Herb Santee, had it 69-64 for Holyfield. "I'm happy Botha gave me an opportunity," Holyfield said. "When people talk about you, it's who I fought. I fought the best." There were only 3,127 people at the Thomas & Mack Center, most rooting for Holyfield in his first fight since Dec. 20, 2008, when he lost a majority decision to Nikolay Valuev. ... At the post-fight press conference, it was mentioned Holyfield would like to fight one of the Klitschko brothers, who hold three of the four major heavyweight champions. Wladimir Klitschko holds two titles, while Vitali holds one. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette."* - from a novel by Martin Amis