By James Slater: Moments ago in South Africa, 39-year-old Michael Grant scored a dramatic, 12th and final round KO over fellow veteran Frans Botha. Trailing behind on points, Grant landed a smashing right hand to the head and 43-year-old Botha went down and stayed there for quite some time.
The official time was 2 minutes and 33-seconds of the final round in a fight that contested the lightly regarded WBF heavyweight strap.
Grant is now 48-4(36), “The White Buffalo” is now 48-6-3(28).
At times a sloppy affair, at other times an enjoyable, “fun” fight to watch, tonight’s battle of the veterans attracted a big crowd in South Africa. Botha came in at his lowest weight in years and his still-fast hands picked up points in the early, middle and late rounds. Botha came close to stopping or at least decking Grant in the 7th and again in the 11th. Tiring badly, Botha let his guard down in the dying seconds of the 12th, however, and “Big” Grant capitalised, saving his career with the desperation KO.
Grant has now won two fights by highlight reel KO this year; albeit over less than top-class opposition (the huge Tye Fields fell in the 3rd back in March) – and he called out the Klitschkos after tonight’s win. The fact that it took Grant so long to deal with Botha will likely convince practically all fans that he would have next to no chance against either brother; if he got that far.
Still, Grant remains a hard puncher, his sheer size would perhaps allow him to give a Klitschko something to think about for a few rounds, and Grant is usually fun to watch. Botha, who looked good in his last fight, stopping the much younger and unbeaten Flo Simba in June, must be hugely disappointed at having let his sure points win slip away. Retirement may be the only sensible option for the man who has been in with the likes of Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson and Michael Moorer.
Grant figures to get at least one more decent pay day. He may need a long rest after tonight’s tussle though.