Francois Botha (48-10-3, 29 KOs) may be 45 years old but there is no way of stopping the “White Buffalo” from roaming the prairie. On March 15th the multiple time world title challenger is coming to Arlamow, Poland, to take on Andrzej Wawrczyk (28-1, 14 KOs).

When Botha gave his pro debut in February 1990, Wawrczyk was only two years old. The former WBC Youth World Champion from Poland suffered his only loss last year when he challenged “regular” WBA champion Alexander Povetkin. Botha has been in the ring with some all-time greats such as Mike Tyson (1999 in Las Vegas), Lennox Lewis (2000 in London), Wladimir Klitschko (2002 in Stuttgart) and Evander Holyfield (2010 in Las Vegas).

“I am looking forward to coming to beautiful Poland”, said the “White Buffalo” after signing the bout agreement on Thursday. The show on March 15th will be co-promoted by Ulrich KnockOut Promotions in association with Babilon Promotion and broadcasted live on Polsat.

LAS VEGAS (April 10, 2010) – Hall of Fame-bound Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield added the World Boxing Federation heavyweight title belt to his overcrowded trophy case, stopping defending champion Frans “The White Buffalo” Botha in the 8th round last night in the main event on “The Legend Returns” card, promoted by Crown Boxing, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Botha (47-5-3, 28 KOs) came out throwing bombs for the first five rounds, buzzing Holyfield (43-10-2, 27 KOs) a few times. Holyfield came on strong at the end of the fifth, taking full control of the fight in the sixth and seventh by throwing letting his hands go and throwing effective combinations.

In the eighth round, Holyfield dropped Botha with a right hand and when a damaged Botha got to his feet, Evander overwhelmed his South African opponent until referee Russell Mora called an end to the fight.

“He is a very good defensive fighter,” Holyfield said after the fight. “He’s a smart fighter, too. His right hand had a lot of power and he’s also a very quick big man. I gave myself a 7. I can get better. I’d been off a long time and I know I can get better. I want to come back very soon.”

“Evander is a great fighter,” Botha remarked. “He capitalized on my mistakes. I thought I had him going early. I have to go home and sit down with my team. Who knows (about his future plans)? We’ll see how he goes forward.”:

In the co-feature, hometown favorite Henry Namauu, 2006 National Collegiate champion at UNLV, stopped a game Rayford Johnson in the seventh round of their back-and-forth battle of tough cruiserweights. Referee Tony Weeks halted the action when Namauu unleashed a series of unanswered, power-packed punches.

Former IBF cruiserweight champion “King” Arthur Williams recorded his 47th career victory, winning a unanimous 6-round decision against previously unbeaten Valente Tinajero (8-1).

Complete Results

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Evander Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs), Atlanta, GA WTKO8 (2:05) Frans Botha (47-5-3, 28 KOs), Newport Beach, CA

(Holyfield wins World Boxing Federation title)

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Henry Namauu (6-3, 4 KOs), Las Vegas, NV WTKO7 (2:43) Rayford Johnson (5-5, 3 KOs), Longview, TX

Arthur Williams (47-16-1, 30 KOs), Pensacola, FL WDEC6 (59-55, 59-55, 59-55) Valente Tinajero (8-1, 4 KOs), Roy UT

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Lawrence Hughes (4-0, 3 KOs), Las Vegas, NV DC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-37) Juan Alcolea (2-2, 0 KOs), Las Vegas, NV

FEMALE SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Jennifer Han (1-1-1), Tucson, AZ WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36) Crystal Hoy (3-21-2, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, NV

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Rocco Santomauro (4-0, 0 KOs), Las Vegas, NV WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-26) Karl Hammer (1-3, 0 KOs), Clearfield, UT

SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS

Alexis Santiago (3-0-1, 1 KO), Phoenix, AZ WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36) Brice Yeniki (0-5), Las Vegas, NV

Post Fight Press Conference Quotes

Evander Holyfield: “People talk and you act like it doesn’t bother you when they call you old and senile. 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 2 but not the third. It’s never been about money. I was brought up poor and never had anything. I was taught to have goals and to never quit.

“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 ‘em. When I decided to comeback it wasn’t because I’m the type that says he’s one of the best. This is a new era and I didn’t think I’d be in this era. I was laughing a little when I fought George Foreman. He was 42 and I was 29. I rally didn’t want to fight him. He didn’t beat me but he did become world champion again. What I learned from that fight was George said it wasn’t about age but that I will give my all.

“You can’t let people tell you what you can do. I fight because I want to. I wouldn’t be the person I am without opportunities.”

Frans Botha: “I’m honored to fight in Las Vegas and to fight a great champion. Evander Holyfield is the real deal, a true champion and warrior. I can’t feel ashamed to lose to a great champion. I think he’s going to rule again. He has the skill, power and determination, everything to get that title again.”

Boxing fans are ecstatic as Frank Luca’s Crown Boxing presents THE LEGEND RETURNS. The one and only Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield returns to the ring after 16 months to battle Francois “The White Buffalo” Botha in the main event, Saturday, April 10th in Las Vegas.

Holyfield’s pro career spans a staggering 27 years and he holds a record of 42-10-2 with 27 KOs. He’ll be facing one of his toughest opponents to date in Botha, 47-4-3, with 28 KOs. Botha’s boxing 20 year boxing career has taken him to the top, fighting for the Heavyweight title on 3 occasions.

Holyfield will be more determined than ever as he looks to climb the ranks back to the top. At the press conference for the event, Holyfield reiterated that he won’t give up until he is the champion of the world.

Knockout fans be ready and make no mistake, both men are more than capable of knocking out the other. With so much on the line for each man’s career, there’s no doubt the fireworks could come early in this main event! You DO NOT want to miss this event. The undercard will also be filled with heavy hitting, rising stars in the boxing world. For more information about the event and to find out who’s on the fight card, CLICK HERE or visit www.GoFightLive.tv and preorder the live stream to watch THE LEGEND RETURNS, a night of knockouts!

NOTE: This event is not available on GFL in the United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, or Canada

LAS VEGAS (Apr. 6, 2010) – Boxing fans all over the world will be watching Saturday night’s “The Legend Returns” pay-per-view event, headlined by 4-time world heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield challenging World Boxing Federation heavyweight title-holder Frans “The White Buffalo” Botha, live from the Thomas & Mack center in Las Vegas.

“The Legend Returns,” presented by Crown Boxing, is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

It also will be shown in more than 20 countries, including live broadcasts in Brazil, Mexico, China and the United Kingdom (channel 480 on Sky, streaming on www.primetimelive.co.uk). The card is available on www.gofightlive.tv PPV outside of the U.S., Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, China and Mexico.

Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KOs), coming off of a controversial 12-round majority decision loss December 20, 2008 in Switzerland to then World Boxing Association champion Nicolai Valuev, takes on Botha (47-4-3, 28 KOs) in the 12-round main event.

In the 10-round co-feature, Las Vegas cruiserweight Henry Namauu (5-3, 3 KOs), the former UNLV boxer and 2006 National Collegiate Cruiserweight Champion, faces dangerous Texan Rayford Johnson (5-4, 3 KOs). Former IBF cruiserweight champion “King” Arthur Williams (46-16-1, 30 KOs) tests unbeaten Utah prospect Valente Tinajero (8-0, 4 KOs) in a 6-round bout.

Also on the undercard in 4-round bouts is Las Vegas featherweight Rocco Santomauro (3-0) vs. Karl Hammer (1-2), Las Vegas super featherweight Crystal Hoy (3-1-2, 2 KOs) vs. Jennifer Han (0-1-1), Detroit lightweight Joel Flores (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. TBA, St. Louis welterweight Lawrence Hughes (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Las Vegas’ Juan Alcolea (2-1, 0 KOs), Las Vegas lightweight Jesus Gutierez (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Jonathan Garcia, and Phoenix super bantamweight Alexis Santiago (2-0-1, 1 KO) vs. Brice Yeniki (0-4). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $25.00, $75.00, $150.00 and $250.00, are available to purchase at www.UNLVtickets.com or by calling 702.739.3267.

Doors open at 4 PM/PT, first bout 4:30 PM/PT, and first PPV bout 6:00 PM/PT (9:00 PM/ET). Go on line to www.crown-boxing-inc.com or www.worldboxingfederation.net for additional information

Evander Holyfield: “I’m happy to have the opportunity to fight in Las Vegas again. Everything that’s happened to me has been here – in 1984 I had to win Saturday and Sunday to make the Olympic team. In 1990, 1993, 1996 and 2000 I won the heavyweight title here. Las Vegas has been the place that’s given me the opportunity to be the person I am. I’m thankful for Botha giving me an opportunity to fight for a title again. My goal has simply been to be undisputed heavyweight champion. I’m a person – I think my attitude is good when people tell me I can’t do something — I’m driven by what people say I can’t do to prove I can. I’m not disappointed by decisions. I felt I beat Valuev. I won’t quit seeking to do my best and Saturday night you’ll see me give my all. If not enough, I’ll make adjustments.

“To be perfect is to reach my goal. I thought I did it in 1999 against Lennox (Lewis). Here, in 2010, and it’s going to be a great fight. I’m telling you, Saturday night, I’ll look better than I used to be.”

Frans Botha: “I’m defending my title against one of the greatest legends of all-time. This will make my resume perfect. I’ve fought some of the best and Evander is one of the best. Saturday night, I’m prepared for this. Evander had talent and experience. I’m getting in there knowing it’s going to be a tough fight. ‘The White Buffalo’ is roaming the prairie. I’m going to end your career, make you retire. The Buffalo is charging.

“I’m very grateful to be here. Me and Evander would have fought 10 years ago. I was No. 1 and he was champion. It didn’t work out. You’re a legend. You’ve fought some of the greatest, but I have to stop that. Saturday night you’re going to see a helluva fight.”

Henry Namauu: “I’m going to take advantage of what has been given to me. I’m not much for words; I just show up to fight.”

Rayford Johnson: “I’m guaranteeing Saturday night that I’ll win. My losses are losses, but I’m coming to fight and win.”

Arthur Williams: “I’m honored to be on a card with Evander Holyfield and Frans Botha. It’s a big card. I’m excited and ready to fight. My last fight I had a tragedy in my family. No excuse, I thought the referee stopped the fight prematurely, and I was winning. I’m ready to get it on. When all the smoke and dust clear, I’ll be standing.”

FACT SHEET

WORLD BOXING FEDERATION HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

MAIN EVENT – 12 ROUNDS – PPV
EVANDER “The Real Deal” HOLYFIELD FRANS “The White Buffalo” BOTHA
4-Time World Heavyweight Champion World Boxing Federation Champion
Atlanta, GA Newport Beach, CA by way of South Africa
42-10-2 (27 KOs) 47-4-3 (28 KOs)
CO-FEATURE
10 ROUNDS – CRUISERWEIGHTS
HENRY NAMAUU RAYFORD JOHNSON
2006 National Collegiate Cruiserweight Champion Dangerous Opponent
Las Vegas, NV Austin, TX
5-3 (3 KOs) 5-4 (3 KOs)
6 ROUNDS – CRUISERWEIGHTS

“King” ARTHUR WILLIAMS VALENTE TINAJERO

Former IBF Cruiserweight Champion Unbeaten Prospect

Pensacola, FL Roy, UT

46-16-1 (30 KOs) 8-0 (4 KOs)
4 ROUNDS – FEATHERWEIGHTS
ROCCO SANTOMAURO KARL HAMMER
Las Vegas, NV Clearfield, UT
3-0 (0 KOs) 1-2 (0 KOs)
4 ROUNDS – FEMALE SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
CRYSTAL HOY JENNIFER HAN
Las Vegas, NV Tucson, AZ
3-1-2 (2 KOs) 0-1-1
4 ROUNDS – LIGHTWEIGHTS
JOEL FLORES TBA
Detroit, MI
3-0 (3 KOs)
4 ROUNDS – WELTERWEIGHTS
LAWRENCE HUGHES JUAN ALCOLEA
St. Louis, MO Las Vegas, NV
3-0 (3 KOs) 2-1 (0 KOs)
4 ROUNDS — LIGHTWEIGHTS

JESUS GUTIEREZ JONATHAN GARCIA

Las Vegas, NV Watsonville, CA

1-0 (1 KO) 1-0 (1 KO)

4 ROUNDS – SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS
ALEXIS SANTIAGO BRICE YENIKI
Phoenix, AZ Las Vegas, NV
2-0-1 (1 KO) 0-4

(All Fights and Fighters subject to change)

WHAT: “The Legend Returns” PPV

WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 2010 – 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT

WHERE: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

PROMOTER: Crown Boxing

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, The historic heavyweight bout between former undisputed Heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and Francois Botha slated for Uganda has been postponed and may be revived in the United States.

Holyfield’s Feb. 20 fight against Francois Botha in Kampala, Uganda, is off and plans are in the works to reschedule it, the former heavyweight champion told ESPN.com on Wednesday.

Holyfield was scheduled to face South Africa’s Botha in a 12-round bout at Nelson Mandela Stadium, where organizers predicted a crowd of 80,000. However, Holyfield said the promoter failed to make a scheduled payment, forcing him to scrap the idea of going to Africa.

“I’m not going over,” Holyfield said. “We’re moving the fight to the States, but they haven’t got a site yet. But I’m still supposed to fight Botha.”

Ken Sanders, Holyfield’s manager, told ESPN.com that Miami was a possible location for the fight. He also said that besides trying to reschedule the Botha bout, Holyfield would also fight April 24 in Las Vegas.

“But the guy never did come up with the money,” Holyfield said. “They were supposed to pay us before we went over there, put the money in an escrow account. And they missed the payment. Three months we been waiting and we never did get it. So we made the decision.”

“We sat down and had a good conversation and I asked Evander if he wanted to do this and he said he did,” Sanders said. “I asked his trainer, Tommy Brooks, the same thing and he said he’ll have no problem, that Evander just needed two or three weeks after the first fight and he’ll be ready to go for the second one. He’s already in great shape.”

Between Holyfield’s age — 47 — and the number of rounds he’s boxed professionally, it could be difficult for him to get a license in Nevada, where the commission has rigorous standards. However, Sanders said he was not worried about it.

“He’ll pass all the tests,” Sanders said. “I’m not concerned.”

Holyfield said he was looking forward to fighting in Uganda.

“I was kind of excited about it when they talked about 80,000 people,” he said. “The point is to be able to go to different parts of the world. The U.S. is a great place to fight, but it’s not the world.”

“There are so many places that want to have the fight,” he said. “We’re trying to find out the best place.”