Could Francois Botha hold a belt in this era?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Babality, Sep 3, 2019.


  1. Babality

    Babality KTFO!!!!!!! Full Member

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    How good was he?
     
  2. The Undefeated Lachbuster

    The Undefeated Lachbuster On the Italian agenda Full Member

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    Somewhere not on my top 100 Heavyweights. Honestly I struggle to see him holding a belt of significance in any era. Especially this one, we have 3 pretty good champions in Ruiz, Wilder and Fury. Especially Wilder and Fury. Lord knows what Wilder would do to that glass chin.

    So yeah no
     
  3. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    He was a good, tough heavyweight with underrated skills. He was a bit starstruck, coming along in the era which he did. He had Moorer fairly well beat up, broken rib and broken jaw if I recall, before succumbing. And we all remember the shut-out he pitched against Tyson until he walked into a right hand. Then again, he was partly to blame for his lack of success in what might be termed "lax training habits" and pushing the limits of allowable supplementation.

    No, he would not hold a what are now called major belts. But he did hold the Transvaal Belt. And you can't take that away from him.
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2019
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  4. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    very fortunate to hold a title when he did. He was just one one of those soft defense type things for a champion. You get your guy in shape, he beats Botha, Then, fight the better opponents.
     
  5. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    I would say that he could. Botha was a tough, game dude who had decent though not great skills who could bang a bit when necessary and spoil a gameplan. Don't know how long he'd keep the belt after he got it but this era is a lot softer than when Tyson, Holyfield, Wladimir and Lennox were stomping around.