Botha Has Bitten Off More Than He Can Chew
Posted: 27 Nov 2003, 12:51
From the web:
November 25, 2003) In a sudden switch, German kickboxer Stefan Leko has been replaced by former world boxing champion, Francois Botha, in the Saturday, December 6th, Pay-Per-View televised K-1 “World Grand Prix Finals” eight-man, single elimination tournament. The lineup change comes after K-1’s front office could not reach a contractual agreement with Leko’s agent for the fighter to compete in the event.
Botha, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Heavyweight titleholder who sports a professional boxing record of 44-4-2 (28 KO’s), made his K-1 debut last month during the Osaka, Japan K-1 “Final Elimination” card. In a matchup with French kickboxer Cyril Abidi, the 35-year-old boxer of South Africa was quickly disqualified at the 19 second mark of the first round after he punched Abidi who was sitting on the canvas. Abidi had slipped and fallen seconds earlier during an exchange of blows with Botha.
During the opening round of the World Grand Prix Finals tournament and the first-scheduled match of the event, Botha will once again square off with Abidi, who had been slated to meet Leko. Should he be victorious over the Frenchman, Botha will meet the winner of the bout between Australia’s Peter Graham and K-1 “Battle At The Bellagio” tournament champion, Remy Bonjasky, of Holland.
I saw Remy Bonjasky win the Battle of the Bellagio and he is an extremly talented May Thai fighter. If Botha gets past the small and passive Abidi as he should, he is going to get a real welcoming to the world of K1.
Could be another Vince Phillips situation. Where Tyson failed to break Botha's arm, Bonjasky just might succeed.
November 25, 2003) In a sudden switch, German kickboxer Stefan Leko has been replaced by former world boxing champion, Francois Botha, in the Saturday, December 6th, Pay-Per-View televised K-1 “World Grand Prix Finals” eight-man, single elimination tournament. The lineup change comes after K-1’s front office could not reach a contractual agreement with Leko’s agent for the fighter to compete in the event.
Botha, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Heavyweight titleholder who sports a professional boxing record of 44-4-2 (28 KO’s), made his K-1 debut last month during the Osaka, Japan K-1 “Final Elimination” card. In a matchup with French kickboxer Cyril Abidi, the 35-year-old boxer of South Africa was quickly disqualified at the 19 second mark of the first round after he punched Abidi who was sitting on the canvas. Abidi had slipped and fallen seconds earlier during an exchange of blows with Botha.
During the opening round of the World Grand Prix Finals tournament and the first-scheduled match of the event, Botha will once again square off with Abidi, who had been slated to meet Leko. Should he be victorious over the Frenchman, Botha will meet the winner of the bout between Australia’s Peter Graham and K-1 “Battle At The Bellagio” tournament champion, Remy Bonjasky, of Holland.
I saw Remy Bonjasky win the Battle of the Bellagio and he is an extremly talented May Thai fighter. If Botha gets past the small and passive Abidi as he should, he is going to get a real welcoming to the world of K1.
Could be another Vince Phillips situation. Where Tyson failed to break Botha's arm, Bonjasky just might succeed.