LAS VEGAS (Mar. 29, 2010) – Reigning World Boxing Federation heavyweight title-holder Frans “The White Buffalo” Botha was supposed to fight 4-time world heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield 12 years ago but boxing politics eventually destroyed that match-up. More than a decade later, though, Botha (47-4-3, 28 KOs) will finally get his crack at the living legend and future Hall of Famer when he defends his title belt April 10 against Holyfield in the 12-round main event, headlining “The Legend Returns” pay-per-view event, live at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
“The Legend Returns,” presented by Crown Boxing, is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95..
In 1998, Botha was the No. 1 mandatory challenger and Holyfield world champion. Instead of getting his title shot, Botha explained, he was placed in a box-off that he refused to fight in, sending him from No. 1 to No. 11 in the ratings, and Holyfield ended-up fighting Vaughn Bean.
“God works in mysterious ways,” Botha said. “(Promoter) Frank (Luca – Crown Boxing) got me Evander. We both have a lot of experience and it’s going to be a good fight. I know he’s going to be right there and he’ll be in good condition. This is a chance for me to prove I still got it. Holyfield is coming to prove himself as well. If he doesn’t beat me, he’s done, and I’m going to make sure that this is his last fight. I’m going to retire him once and for all.”
The 47-year-old Holyfield (42-10-2, 27 KOs) is coming off of a controversial 12-round majority decision loss December 20, 2008 in Switzerland to then World Boxing Association champion Nicolai Valuev that most observers felt Holyfield really won.
“He is a legend, take nothing away from him,” Botha continued. “He’s one of the all-time best, a multiple world champion who has fought the best heavyweights in the world. I can’t ask for anything better at this stage of my career. It’s a big opportunity. I have another 2-3 good years left to do some damage in the heavyweight division. All of my losses have been to world champions (Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Michael Moorer and Shannon Briggs) and three of those fights never should have been losses. A win will put me right back in the picture and I’d then I’d like to fight Vitali Klitschko.”
Tickets, priced at $25.00, $75.00, $150.00 and $250.00, are available to purchase at www.UNLVtickets.com or by calling 702.739.3267.
Doors open at 4 PM/PT, first bout 4:30 PM/PT, and first PPV bout 6:00 PM/PT (9:00 PM/ET). Go on line to www.crown-boxing-inc.com for additional information
AL BERNSTEIN RINGSIDE FOR HOLYFIELD-BOTHA
Hall of Fame boxing announcer Al Bernstein will serve as ringside analyst on the April 10 pay per view telecast of the Evander Holyfield-Frans Botha match, live from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas . Bernstein has announced the last two Holyfield matches, world title challenges against Sultan Ibragimov and Nicolai Valuev. Joining Al on the telecast will be play by play announcer Tripp Mitchell.
Al said he is looking forward to this event for two reasons: “First, Holyfield and Botha are matched well, and this will be an interesting and competitive fight. Evander showed in his last fight with Valuev that minus the shoulder issues he had for a number of years—he can still be effective. He should have won a decision in that fight. Botha will be in front of him, which stylistically should make for a fun fight. Secondly, I have seen many Crown boxing cards and I know Crown’s matchmaker Frank Luca is one of the best matchmakers in boxing. He has created an exciting overall card for April 10 that will be entertaining to the fans in the arena and those who watch on pay per view. And I love that he’s done it while keeping the PPV and live ticket prices very reasonable, for fans to see a boxing legend for one of the last times.”
Bernstein also shares some interesting history with Holyfield. Al was the analyst for the telecast of the Holyfield-Riddick Bowe fight in 1992, when Evander last fought at Thomas and Mack. “That was a great night,” Al said, “and anytime Evander enters an arena (even now as he showed against Valuev) there is the expectation that he will rise to the occasion.”
The pay per view is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media with the telecast staring at 9 PM /ET-6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV. Tickets at the Thomas & Mack, priced from $25 to $250 can be purchased at www.UNLVtickets.com or by calling 702-739-3267
To schedule print, internet, radio, or television interviews with Mr. Bernstein or get information about his programs and
services, contact Adie Zuckerman, Directing Manager for Al Bernstein Live, at adie@albernsteinlive.com or 847-827-9212.