Botha to meet Barnardo in WBF fight
Sapa
Posted Tue, 08 Jan 2002

Francois Botha, the White Buffalo of Pretoria, will meet Cape Town's Mike Barnardo for the WBF world heavyweight title in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 23.

The fight was announced jointly on Monday in Las Vegas and Johannesburg by co-promoters Billionaire Entertainment Group and World Sport Promotions.

"We've done it and its the first all South African clash for a world title in the gambling capital," says Thinus Strydom, head of World Sport Promotions.

Working with the head of the US group, John Taylor, Strydom has sealed the fight which is aimed at breaking Barnardo into the international boxing spotlight.

"I've said all along he is as good as the likes of WBA champion John Ruiz and he is ready to prove it," he said. "Remember, I was the man who propelled Botha on to the US stage, where he has beconme a multimillionaire in US dollar terms, and has been in the top rank of world heavyweight boxing for the past decade.

"What we did for him we will do for Barnardo. It all depends on how he will approach the fight and which he has to win."

Barnardo and trainer Steve Kalakoda are at present en route back home from Japan where Barnardo has been competing in a kickboxing event. He is an established favourite among Japanese audiences.

On their return they will work out in Cape Town prior to flying to the US on January 19, where Barnardo has arranged to train in Mike Tyson's private gymnasium in Ohio.