On October 24 in Dessau, Germany, two heavyweight oldies – both linked to Fight Production – will share a ring to battle it out for the WBF ‘world’ heavyweight championship (on a show promoted by SES Boxing). One is a former IBF champion who has shared the ring with the best his generation had to offer while the other is a former WBO challenger who for one reason or other never really fullfilled his vast potential. So while for Germany’s Willi Fischer, 37-6-1 (24 KO’s), this is the last opportunity, South Africa’s title holder Francois Botha, 47-4-2 (28 KO’s), is confident that the man from Frankfurt will be nothing more than a stepping stone for another run at top honours. The man called ‘The White Buffalo’ took time out from training to answer a few questions via telephone from his home in Durban..
Francois, this is your second fight in a row in Germany and your first under the Fight Production/SES promotional banner. The country has a special meaning for you ever since your fight with their national hero Axel Schulz in 1995. Is Germany the in-place for heavyweights in these days?
Definitely, yes. So the White Buffalo is now the German White Buffalo and he intends to rule the prairie for a long time to come. I intend to put on yet another helluva show for the German public and I would like to thank SES and Fight Production for the opportunity, as well as the WBF, who have inspired me on my comeback.
So the challenger for your WBF ‘world’ heavyweight title this time is Frankfurt’s Willi Fischer, himself on a so far successful comeback. You seem very relaxed about making him the next German victim in your record!
Oh, sure. I mean I know that Willi Fischer is a boxing hero in Germany, but unfortunately for him business is business and I intend putting Willi into permanent retirement. I wish him well for the fight. I hear he is a good guy and I hope to share a drink with him after the fight to celebrate his early retirement.
What is your biggest advantage against Fischer?
Look, I don’t want to take anything away from him and I know he is a very talented fighter. But with no disrespect to him, he has never faced anyone of my calibre.
What can we expect from you long-term?
Germany is about to see a rejuventated and motivated White Buffalo who intends to run over anyone who stands in my way to an eventual fight with Klitschko. I’m serious!