The 20-year charge of 43 year-old boxer, Fransie Botha's career has suffered a set-back after the fighter known as “The White Buffalo” was handed an 11th-round knock-out defeat by Cameroonian boxer, Carlos Takam in a fight dubbed “Noisy-le-Grand” on Saturday night.
The fight at the Gymnase Jean Richepin between Botha and an opponent little more than half his age was for the WBF International title and may have ended the former IBF and WBU champion's hopes of obtaining a return bout against Michael Grant for the WBF main heavyweight title.
Botha was knocked out in the 12th round in a fight against Grant at the Montecasino Gaming Complex in Johannesburg last year, after “The White Buffalo” appeared to have accumulated a handy points advantage.
Promoters have been in the process of trying to negotiate a return for Botha after his good showing, but losing to Takam may have ended Botha's pursuit of a major belt.
Botha has a career record of 48 wins against seven defeats and three draws, but he has only won one of his last five fights, suffering three defeats and a draw.
Botha's only victory in this period was against Flo Simba, which put an end to the Simba's heavyweight aspirations as he attempted to revive his career in the cruiserweight division.
Botha's fights have included match-ups against notable champions such as Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield. – Sapa