by James Slater – A quite bizarre heavyweight “title” fight was announced today by Olaf Schroder of Fight Production promotions. Apparently, British heavyweight enigma Danny Williams will face none other than “The White Buffalo” himself, in South Africa’s veteran former world title challenger Francois Botha. Something called the WBF heavyweight title will be on the line on November 30th in what is being billed as the first ever big fight to be staged near the foot of the pyramids and the great Sphinx..
The soon to be 40-year-old Botha (his birthday is September 28th), who has only fought once since 2002, picking up a July 2007 12 round points win over Bob Mirovic, was once a very tough guy. How much he has left now, after an eighteen year pro career, is unknown. As such Williams, though he can blow notoriously hot and cold in fights, should be a big favourite to win on November 30th. But what, exactly, will the reigning British heavyweight champion gain by defeating Botha, 45-4-2(28).
Originally, it was thought Williams, 40-6(31) would box a November 1st return with John McDermott, who he controversially out-pointed back in July. This return bout is still up on BoxRec, but with today’s announcement it is no longer clear if this fight will go ahead, at least on November 1st. Surely Danny doesn’t plan on having two fights in the same month. Stranger things have happened, so you never know. Also, with no disrespect aimed at Botha, big Danny shouldn’t take too long in getting rid of the rusty and aging “White Buffalo” in the Egypt fight, in what should be an easy fight for him.
Sure, the South African who was once busted for taking illegal performance enhancing substances, was known for having a good chin and real fighting heart in his heyday, but that was a long time ago. Since being stopped in a WBO title fight by Wladimir Klitschko, in his last meaningful fight in March of 2002, Botha has fought just twice. A draw against Clifford Etienne came four months after the loss to Klitschko, and then Botha took his layoff of five years before coming came back to out-point Mirovic.
In all honesty, what with Botha’s career at top level having finished a long time ago, November’s Egyptian adventure is nothing more than a curiosity. Though he may only be the younger man by five years, Williams will surely win this fight. Danny has been active, he’s been in with good fighters, and he still has a lot of serious ambition. Botha may well claim he too is serious about his latest comeback, but it’s doubtful too many fans will believe him.
While it’s hard to make an accurate prediction on the outcome of such a curiosity of a match-up, I go with Williams – more than likely by early stoppage.