Botha was pretty tough and game. He might beat Ruiz, although I think Ruiz outworks him down the stretch. Mind you, Both looked pretty good against Tyson, so, dunno.
Jeesh... Googled Botha, he hasn't had a Pro fight in 5 years... Had 6 or 8 losses in a row, most by KO or TKO... He could come back as a Professional Record Padder like all those Bosnian Cab Drivers but I hear the pay is worse than Panhandling!!
Botha was sort of like a better John Ruiz. He was great at breaking/offsetting rhythm with his smothering style. With Ruiz's management and ducking of top fights White Buffalo easily could have done what he did if not more. But he had balls and faced the likes of Moorer, Tyson, Lewis, Klitschko among others. Botha didn't have the greatest chin but usually you had to wear him down late or be an absolute savage puncher to get him out early. Personally I think a prime Botha out hussles Ruiz jr. and takes a close decision. On the flip side I don't think he ever upsets Joshua though like Ruiz jr. did. Joshua is a very bad matchup for him.
Botha was knocked out each time he stepped up to fight world class opposition - although that said, this was the likes of Wlad, Tyson, Lennox and Moorer.
Tyson was past it when he faced Botha, after the lay off of the Holyfield ban he was significantly diminished.
It depends who has more fuel(Snickers)in the tank. Joking but yes Ruiz is very hot & cold fight. Botha probably out hustles Riiz but loses by SD, imo.
Wait... we talking about Snickers Bar Ruiz or the 2001 Quiet Man Ruiz that was Starched in 17 seconds by Tua??
Botha gassed and left himself wide open during his prime. Ruiz would stop him. Not sure wtf is going on in this thread. Quietman was also better.
my best memory of Botha was him firstly getting absolutely blitzed by Parker,but also slowly overcoming Sonny Bill Williams and almost had him out but they changed the fight from a 12 rounder to a 10 round fight after seeing SBW badly wobbled in the 10th round.lol. We look after our boys in NZ mate.
After his time as a contender ended Botha settled into a role as solid journeyman. Name for up and comers to best tested and get rounds against and also had some novelty matchups with other fellow faded 90s/early 00s fighters(Grant, Holyfield) In a fair world he exposes and stops SBW, but he also upset South African prospect Flo Simba. https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=6626398