‘White Buffalo’ told to give up the ring

VETERAN boxing promoter Thinus Strydom has urged Francois “White Buffalo” Botha to hang up his gloves once and for all.

Strydom, who used to guide the illustrious boxing career of Botha under the banner of World Sport Promotions, was reacting to Botha’s announcement that he is no longer retiring from boxing.

Botha announced last month that he was done with the sport after being beaten in two rounds by six-fight rookie Joseph Parker in New Zealand on June 13.

But former IBF and WBF heavyweight champion Botha, who suffered his eighth stoppage loss in 10 defeats from 63 fights, told Tiso Blackstar last week he had accepted two offers to fight in Africa and abroad this year.

“What do I say – money talks and bullsh*t walks,” said the charismatic fighter who is said to have earned millions from his fights against former undisputed heavyweight world champions Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson. He also fought against Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO title.

“So, ja, the White Buffalo will still do what he has been doing for the past 23 years,” said Botha, whose about-turn has turned his Mpumalanga homeboy against him. According to Strydom, the fact that Botha lost to a novice of only six fights proved that Botha was “washed up as an international campaigner”.

In Australia on February 8 New Zealand rugby star Sonny Bill Williams, a five-fight novice, outpointed Botha over 10 rounds.

Strydom said: “I can’t see how he’ll obtain a licence from Boxing South Africa to continue fighting overseas because he is likely to get hurt very badly.”

When contacted for a comment, Boxing South Africa’s director of operations Loyiso Mtya, said it would be unfair of the governing body to get involved in a comment from a promoter.