Joe Ko Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Tyson Fury will continue his education against veteran heavyweight Francois Botha at Wembley Arena on February 19. The undefeated Briton will appear on the Hennessy Promotions bill that features Lenny Daws' British light welterweight title defence against Ashley Theophane. The 6ft 9in slugger has been calling out every domestic heavyweight, with little success, leaving the door open for the 42-year-old 'White Buffalo' to step up. "Botha's an experienced and very tough fighter and not a man to be taken lightly," said Fury. "He has shared the ring with some truly world class fighters in his time and experience is a big factor in boxing. "But to be the best I must overcome all obstacles that I'm presented with, like him, I will never shy away from fighting an opponent." Botha has lost only to the best - with Michael Moorer, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko and, just last year, Evander Holyfield besting the South African. "This old man is coming to England to give him a boxing lesson," said Botha. "He is a young up and coming star in the UK but look at who he's fought and look at who I've fought - and hopefully the UK will have a great fight as long as it lasts. "I hear that Tyson is a good fella and maybe I'll share a beer with him after he wakes up from the knockout the White Buffalo is going to impose upon him." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12183_6694915,00.html Thoughts, I think its a good step up, he fitness seemed good against Zack Page, and he didnt gas at all just controlled the fight with his jab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Just a payday for Botha. I thought Fury was meant to be fighting the Canadian champ? Was alot of talk about it awhile back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Ko Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 Just a payday for Botha. I thought Fury was meant to be fighting the Canadian champ? Was alot of talk about it awhile back. The other guy doesnt want the fight cause he would get beat badly, Fury is a big prospect now he actually has a proper training team, Steward said all his fighters would go to California to train with Cotto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Just a payday for Botha. I thought Fury was meant to be fighting the Canadian champ? Was alot of talk about it awhile back. The other guy doesnt want the fight cause he would get beat badly, Fury is a big prospect now he actually has a proper training team, Steward said all his fighters would go to California to train with Cotto. I'm glad he's hooked up with Manny Steward. The one thing that concerned me about Fury was that there wasn't a proper team around him before. Now he'll get the proper sparring, training and guidance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoner Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Fury has a great team behind him now to propel him onto the big stage. I'm still not sure how good Fury can become but only time will tell. As for this bout, it's a good bout for Fury's progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironjab Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 absolute crap fight, botha was finished a long time ago, after the lewis defeat, why doesnt fury fight another prospect, im sure theres one or two he can find, take a leaf out of the 140lbers division.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheils Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Not too sure about this one, it could go either way - it may challenge Fury, or he'll breeze it. However, the fight that I'd like to see is Harrison v's Fury. This fight would be genuine to both fighters and may stir a little intrest in the domestic HW scene. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoner Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Tyson Fury has fought 13 bouts which consist mainly of journeymen and British level fighters. Botha is 42 but has challenged for World titles numerous times and has shared with ring with modern greats. I can't see Botha winning but this is a good progress fight for Fury. He needs a few fights like this then should move on to British and European honours in the next 12 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skav Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Tyson Fury has fought 13 bouts which consist mainly of journeymen and British level fighters. Botha is 42 but has challenged for World titles numerous times and has shared with ring with modern greats. I can't see Botha winning but this is a good progress fight for Fury. He needs a few fights like this then should move on to British and European honours in the next 12 months. Agreed. This is a good test. Yes, they are both out of shape, but when have they ever been in shape? Fury's struggled with some journeymen so there is that danger there that he could lose. But more likely that he'll be victorious with valuable experience under his belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ton Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 A good name for his record. I can see the logic in it. The british domestic heavyweight scene could be an intriguing watch in the not too distant future with Fury, Price, Towers and Dallas all looking to get Chisora's British crown. Plus there's Olubamiwo in there and the likes of Harrison, Sprott Sexton and Rogan still knocking about. These guys might not be of the highest calibre, but I think we could see some good scraps in this division. And the intial 4 I mentioned above are all, young, tall and powerful and will look to make the step to European and World level! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 I do not know, Botha it gives me the impression that it is only a name to put in palmares, i would try a home challenge...or a veteran to strong and less burst of Botha (Paolo Vidoz, Alexei Mazikin, Denis Bakhtov, ecc.....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoner Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Apparently, the BBBC won't allow the fight to happen. Oh well, if the fight is called off because the BBBC have called it off then fair enough. The BBBC do seem to have pretty strict criteria on what constitutes a healthy boxer which is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavpowell Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Odd really, I was all set to criticise this match but Botha seems to have a couple of decent names on his record for his comeback, so perhaps he's not bad even now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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