LAS VEGAS (Mar. 18, 2010) – Four-time world heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield plans to make a strong statement April 10 when challenges World Boxing Federation heavyweight title-holder Frans “The White Buffalo” Botha in the 12-round main event, headlining “The Legend Returns” pay-per-view event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. “I’m not finished, yet,” future Hall of Famer Holyfield emphasized the statement he plans to make against Botha. “I will be champion of the world again.”
“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.
The 47-year-old Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KOs) is coming off of a controversial 12-round majority decision loss December 20, 2008 in Switzerland to then World Boxing Association champion Nicolai Valuev that most observers felt Holyfield really won.
Holyfield hasn’t fought in Las Vegas in 11 years and he’s looking forward to returning to the city of his greatest accomplishments.. “I’m honored to be fighting again in Las Vegas,” Evander said. “Realistically, everything good happened to me in Las Vegas, starting when I made the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team. I became the undisputed world cruiserweight champion there (WTKO8 vs. Carlos DeLeon in 1988). The first time I won the world heavyweight title was there (WKO3 vs. Buster Douglas in 1990). My second (WDEC12 vs. Riddick Bowe in 1993), third (TKO11 vs. Mike Tyson in 1996), and fourth (DEC12 vs. John Ruiz in 2000) heavyweight titles were all won in Las Vegas. It’s where I’ve done my greatest things and I’m really looking forward to fighting back in Las Vegas.”
All four of Botha’s (47-4-3, 28 KOs) losses have all been to world champions — Mike Tyson, Michael Moorer, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko – and three came in world championship fights.
“This guy isn’t afraid to come and fight,” Holyfield added. “All of Botha’s losses have been to world champions. He comes to fight, I come to fight; it should be a very interesting match-up.”
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 for additional information
Evander Holyfield vs Frans Botha PPV April 10 in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (Mar. 18, 2010) – Living legend and 5-time world heavyweight champion, Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, challenges World Boxing Federation heavyweight title-holder Frans “The White Buffalo” Botha in the 12-round main event April 10, headlining “The Legend Returns” pay-per-view event, at 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, Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
The 47-year-old Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KOs), fighting out of Atlanta, is coming off of a controversial 12-round majority decision loss December 20, 2008 to then World Boxing Association champion Nicolai Valuev, in which most observers felt Holyfield deserved the victory in Switzerland.
South African strongman Botha (47-4-3, 28 KOs) captured the World Boxing Federation Interim belt in 2007, outpointing Bob Mirovic, and in 2009 Frans won the belt outright with a 12-round decision against Ron Guerrero. Botha made a successful title defense on May 5, 2009, taking a 12-round decision against Timo Hoffman in Germany. During the course of his 20-year professional career, Botha’s four losses have all been to world champions — Mike Tyson, Michael Moorer, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko.
“We’re excited to have Hall of Fame-bound Evander Holyfield fighting Frans Botha on our pay-per-view card,” Crown Boxing’s Frank Luca said. “Evander certainly showed he has a lot left in his disputed loss to Valuev. Crown Boxing has been promoting solid shows six times a year in Las Vegas. Fans have come to expect competitive, entertaining fights at affordably priced Crown Boxing shows held in an intimate atmosphere. Like in MMA, every fight counts on a Crown Boxing show. Those are our trademarks and the tradition continues April 10th but on a much larger stage. The only real differences, though, are Holyfield-Botha features a pair of worldwide name recognized fighters and it’s being held in a scaled-down 9,500 seat Thomas & Mack Center. Everybody will have a great seat for an affordable price. We’ve kept ticket prices down so people can afford to watch Holyfield fight, up close and personal, in Las Vegas for the first time in 11 years. What we’re charging viewers is much less than for most pay-per-view shows. We’re putting together strong supporting fights, too, showcasing talented boxers in order to provide fans in attendance or watching on pay per view with a great night of boxing.”
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 for additional information