Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Francois Botha

Kickboxing pictogram-by Robyc73-Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Francois Botha

Francois “Frans” Botha, a former professional boxer and kickboxer from South Africa, was born on September 28, 1968.

He competed in boxing from 1990 to 2014, and his most notable accomplishment may be defeating Axel Schulz to capture the IBF heavyweight title in 1995.

However, the belt was later removed from him after he failed a drug test. Later, in 2000 and 2002, he made two attempts to win the heavyweight world championship.

In the latter stages of their individual careers, Botha has faced up against former Heavyweight Champions Mike Tyson, Wladimir Klitschko, Lennox Lewis, Michael Moorer, and Evander Holyfield.

In 2004, Botha took part in one bout of mixed martial arts. He goes under the moniker “White Buffalo.”

Here are 10 fascinating facts about Francois Botha.

1. He is among the greatest heavyweights and greatest South African fighters of all time

Phenakistoscope 3g07692b-by Unknown-Wikimedia Commons

For more than 25 years, Francois Botha, a South African boxer, kickboxer, and MMA fighter, engaged in organized combat sports.

When he defeated German Axel Schulz in Germany for the vacant IBF Heavyweight Title, he added his name to the list of the greatest heavyweights and greatest South African fighters of all time. 

He held the IBF Heavyweight Championship title from December 1995 until March 1996.

2. Botha competed against the top heavyweights the sport had to offer

Lenox Lewis 2010-by -nikkon–Wikimedia Commons

 From 2000 and 2002, he competed two times in the world heavyweight title contest.

Over the course of the three decades, Botha competed against some of the best heavyweights the sport had to offer, including Mike Tyson, Shannon Briggs Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, and Wladimir Klitschko.

Botha defeated challenger Clifford Etienne four months after the Klitschko fight, knocking him to the ground twice.

However, he was awarded a majority draw with two judges scoring it 94-94 and one judges scoring it 95-93 in his favor.

In his home South Africa, he defeated Bob Mitrovic, the Australian heavyweight champion, Schulz, Timo Hoffmann, and Mike Tyson’s sparring partner to win the vacant WBF Heavyweight Title.

3. Botha is not acknowledged as a past champion by the IBF

The IBF heavyweight championship was won by Botha over Germany’s Axel Schulz in 1995, although he later tested positive for the steroid nandrolone, which he and his team said was prescribed by a doctor for an arm ailment.

The fight’s outcome was later modified to a “No Contest,” and the IBF no longer recognizes Botha as a former champion, despite the fact that he has subsequently been announced as such in every professional boxing match he has taken part in.

4. His zodiac sign is Libra

Libra is Francois Botha’s astrological sign. Librans are born between September 23 and October 22. When their requirements for equilibrium, justice, and stability are satisfied, those born under the sign of Libra prosper.

They are endearing beings who somehow manage to maintain a sense of harmony and beauty about them at all times.

They have a lovely, mellow, diplomatic, and laid-back disposition. However, they have a history of being superficial, gullible, hypocritical, and passive-aggressive.

5. Botha had a total of 11 losses in 63 fights

Francois Botha fought 63 times during the course of a career spanning 24 years and 1 month, winning 48 of them, losing 11, and drawing 3.

In 63 matches, Francois Botha suffered a total of 11 defeats, including three in title fights and eight in non-title contests.

In his 37th fight, he was defeated by Michael Moorer by TKO in the 12th round, ending his 35-bout winning run. Nine times he was stopped, and twice he was defeated in court.

Among the boxers who have defeated Botha are Andrzej Wawrzyk, Joseph Parker, Sonny Bill Williams, Francesco Pianeta, Mike Tyson, and Carlos Takam.

6. He is an entrepreneur and strategist

He is particularly interested in brand management, company strategy, digitization, and technology.

He was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, and now resides in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he is the founder and CEO of Simple, a company that offers “Simple solutions for complicated times.”

The family office insights lab, Simple, which focuses on family offices and privately held wealth with a collection of specialized tools and knowledge products, was developed and directed by him.

In addition to his own business, Francois is a co-founder of numerous enterprises that are related to his other interests in art, nature, software, and travel. Living by Gandhi and studying by Google are his everyday guiding ideas.

7. He took part in the kickboxing combat sport K-1 multiple times

MuayThaiLegends-Jerez2022-by El Pantera-Wikimedia Commons

Botha frequently competed in the kickboxing combat sport K-1 from 2003 to 2006.

He currently has a 4-11 K-1 record, with two victories coming over legendary K-1/Kickboxers Jérôme Le Banner and Peter Aerts.

On May 20, 2006, in a K-1 super fight in Stockholm, Sweden, Botha lost to Jorgen Kruth by decision after three rounds

8. Botha fought once in Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts pictogramme-by Sylveno-Wikimedia Commons

Yoshihiro Akiyama has a ton of submission wins under his belt, but the majority of them came against single-minded strikers or while wearing his judo gi.

Yoshihiro Akiyama has demonstrated excellent footwork. He has defeated notable strikers including Francois Botha, Alan Belcher, and Melvin Manhoef.

Botha was defeated by Yoshihiro Akiyama on December 31, 2004, in the opening round by an armbar submission.

9. He competed against a famous boxer and weightlifter Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson-by Octal@Flickr-Wikimedia Commons

On January 16, 1999, Mike Tyson and Francois Botha engaged in a professional boxing contest. Despite Tyson’s lengthy recovery, he was honest about his chances of defeating Botha by knockout.

At one point, Tyson said “I’m coming straight at him, and I’m anticipating a quick death for him. I anticipate his demise.”

The remark would spark some debate, with some in the boxing community believing Tyson had gone too far.

Botha was certain that he could defeat Tyson and predicted that he would do it by “seventh-round knockout.” Tyson won the match by knocking out Botha in the fifth round.

10. He’s one of the richest boxers in South Africa

One of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities is Francois Botha.

His net worth, as determined by our analysis of data from sources including Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, is about $1.5 million.

Francois “Frans” Botha, is a former professional boxer and kickboxer from South Africa. His most notable accomplishment may be defeating Axel Schulz to capture the IBF heavyweight title in 1995.