Morrison by KO. Botha was a sloppy but pretty tough fighter. Morrison was quick and powerful. Morrison was the better boxer, faster, and more powerful. Botha wasn't a huge puncher so Morrison's chin would hold up. I think it's pretty one sides until the ending... inside 6 maybe 7 rounds.
Botha could have moments against come forward fighters. He made a rusty and faded Tyson look horrible until he ran into Mike's right hand in round 5. He also deserved the nod over Briggs. Morrison was not above a poor performance either so on those grounds the fight could be closer than one would think. However Morrison was clearly the more skilled and more gifted fighter.
This one could go either way, probably goes the full distance or in to the late rounds and would be an entertainining fight. I don't see Morrison as any better than Botha, he was a better puncher, that's all.
I pick Botha too, he was a tad more disciplined and probably a smarter fighter, but Morrison was a way bigger puncher and Botha did seem to find ways to lose fights he was doing well in. I dont think there was an issue with his chin, but he did have a weakness for short right hands.
Botha. In his prime was more than cagey enough. He was able to last with a prime Moorer and inflict a good amount of damage before succumbing late. He was twice the fighter that Hipp was… and that's more than enough to turn the trick.
Botha was durable and awkward. He could take some punishment, but I think prime Morrison would stop him within 5 rounds.
Botha was as slow as the day is long, Morrison would have countered him to bits and pieces and stopped him in the mid rounds.. Botha was tough but very limited in talent and ability..
All very good points, but at the end of the day Botha's natural toughness might just turn the tide vs Tommy.
Initially I thought Botha, he's proven to be a tough fighter and competed well with some decent guys and could out last Morrison. But Morrison is clearly the superior in a lot of areas and I'm not sure if Botha had the kind of power to stop Morrision. I suspect Morrison stops him late but Botha gives him competitive fight.
In his prime, Botha took michael Moorer 12 rounds and was winning on the cards before being stopped. He certainly managed well against Moorer's left hooks. That's not to say he'd beat the Duke, but something tells me he could pose problems.
I loved frans botha, guy was basic, out of shape but he kept plugging away. Morrison by early ko or botha keeps catching him coming in and scores a late stoppage.
