these guys remind me of each other, both fought tyson and both where good, big boned fighters with rough styles (i believe.. i have only seen a little of neilson).
Neilsen was the busier guy in there but Botha had the better career. Then again, lots of managers are certainly going to be willing to put their guy in with a Botha, aren't they? Botha threw the quick 1-2 and that sneaky right hand always seemed to get in there. But then he'd pose and take a breather and then throw another 1-2. Neilsen used his strength a lot more but needed some more refinement w/ a better trainer if he wanted to go the the next level.
i understand, botha had a decieving style. i remember interview with moorer and briggs in which they stated that botha broke moorer's jaw and briggs rib with his right hands and right uppercuts. nielsen i remember was made fun of as a tyson opponent, but the more i read about him the more impressed i was.
Like you say, two durable brawlers. Botha in particular, I've always had a sneaking admiration for his determination under fire and general overachievement. I think they'd club away at each other for the full 12 rounds, and Botha would take the decision thanks to his cleaner, sharper punching. Then both guys would go out for a few pints and a steak.
Botha had a better career? I'd disagree with that. Neilsen had better wins and more then likely made far more money then Botha ever did to boot.
I am curious why do you think Nielsen made far more money than Botha. After all, it was Botha who had 4 title fights and he fought much better opponents than Nielsen. Nielsen had really padded record and he never fought anyone (apart from Tyson) who could really win. I agree his record looks better - at least on paper and only as long as you don't look into details. Did he ever fought any decent opponent in his prime?
There are some names on Nielsen's win column...Holmes, Witherspoon, Norris, Jeremy Williams, Lionel Butler, Bonecrusher Smith, Mike 'Bounty' Hunter... On paper that looks great - so long as you don't look at how old, flabby and/or broken down they were when they fought him. If someone had wins over Holyfield, Bowe and Lewis on their record it would look great. Not so much if it was a 50-year-old Holyfield, 42-year-old Bowe and 48-year-old Lewis. Botha did not have those wins, but fought well against legitimate young and in-shape world-class heavyweights. I think that deserves more credit than a simple win-loss reading.
And that's why the guy had a better career. Also, Neilsen was a notorius hometown fighter. I'm certain the Botha career looks a lot better on paper if he never travelled out of South Africa for a fight and was always the house fighter as well.