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Francois Botha lists the best he faced after sharing the ring with Mike Tyson, Lewis and Holyfield

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Francois Botha names the best he faced after sharing the ring with Mike Tyson, Lewis and Holyfield

Shannon Briggs once called Frans Botha the toughest fighter he had ever faced – but who did Botha think was the best fighter he had ever fought?

Botha, like Briggs, competed in an era full of unsafe heavyweights. America in particular was brimming with talent and boasted far more genuine candidates than we see today.

The South African burst onto the American scene after his third professional fight and has spent more than half of his boxing career in the United States. During his 63 fights over five years, he faced Axel Schulz, Michael Moorer, Mike Tyson, Briggs, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.

Then, in 2002, “The White Buffalo” faced “Dr. Steelhammer” Wladimir Klitschko for eight rounds before being stopped by the WBO heavyweight champion. This was his fourth and last unsuccessful attempt to win the world title.

But of all the gigantic names, who did Botha think was the best? He revealed his answer in an interview with British Boxing Television.

“A lot of people ask me who the best player is and I always say Mike, because Mike has that image, he’s aggressive, everyone knew him.

At the beginning of my career I fought Themba Msweli, a guy from South Africa. A fight that is unknown and he gave me the hardest fight of my life.

The Tyson vs Botha fight took place on January 16, 1999 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegasarriving 19 months after “Iron” Mike bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear in their rematch.

Tyson’s career highlights were still powerful enough to crush an opponent of Botha’s level – and he did so with a venomous right hand that ended the fight in round five.

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Takuma Inoue vs Tenshin Nasukawa II Live Results and Highlights

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Takuma Inoue vs Tenshin Nasukawa II Live Results and Highlights

LIVE COVERAGE

World Boxing News provides live results and a round-by-round scorecard as Takuma Inoue faces Tenshin Nasukawa for the second time at Toyota Arena Tokyo in Japan.

Inoue and Nasukawa collide over 12 rounds for the WBC bantamweight title in their rematch.

Ryosuke Nishida faces Sam Goodman for the interim IBF super bantamweight title, while Ryusei Matsumoto takes on Russell Acosta Silveira for the interim WBO minimumweight title.

Tomoya Tsuboi and Ricardo Malajika also meet for the vacant WBC super flyweight title.

WBN provides live results and updates from every bout as they happen, plus a round-by-round scorecard for Inoue vs. Nasukawa.


Results

All times are local JST.

19:44

Ricardo Malajika handed Tomoya Tsuboi his first professional defeat with a split decision over 12 rounds, winning 116-112 and 115-113 on two cards. Tsuboi took the third 115-113 and dropped to 3-1.

18:47

Ryusei Matsumoto improved to 9-0 and retained his interim WBO minimumweight title with a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Russell Acosta Silveira. The judges scored the 12-round contest 118-110, 116-112 and 115-113.

18:02

Natsuki Kuramochi defeated Hayato Aiko by majority decision over four rounds, earning scores of 40-36 and 39-37, with the third judge scoring it 38-38.

Kuramochi improved to 2-1-1, while Aiko dropped to 2-3-1.

Remaining Bouts

Takuma Inoue vs. Tenshin Nasukawa — 12 rounds, WBC bantamweight title

Ryosuke Nishida vs. Sam Goodman — 12 rounds, interim IBF super bantamweight title


Inoue vs Nasukawa Scorecard

Takuma Inoue vs Tenshin Nasukawa

(Round-by-round scorecard will refresh every 2 mins)

WBC Bantamweight Title
Toyota Arena Tokyo, Japan
12×3


Round Inoue I’m sorry
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
Round 12
WBN Totals:

Official Result:


Round-by-Round Notes

Round-by-round updates will appear here when Inoue vs. Nasukawa begins.


TV Coverage

Broadcast information will be added when confirmed.

Follow WBN’s live boxing coverage throughout the event.


About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.

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Boxing

Paulie Malignaggis Insightful Verdict on Manny Pacquiao vs Shakur Stevenson Fight

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Paulie Malignaggi's Insightful Verdict on Manny Pacquiao vs Shakur Stevenson Fight

Paulie Malignaggi has offered his reaction to a reported clash between Shakur Stevenson and Manny Pacquiaowhich could feature on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua.

The all-British heavyweight showdown is expected to take place on December 11, headlining an event at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

That is, of course, if Fury and Joshua actually make it to the ring, as despite it being announced earlier this week, The Ring’s Mike Coppinger has since reported that their fight is in jeopardy.

Prior to that, it had emerged that an encounter between Stevenson and Pacquiao – between whom there is a near two-decade age gap – was being planned for the same night in Wales.

Should it come to fruition, this would represent Stevenson’s first outing since signing with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, who he joined after dethroning Teofimo Lopez with a unanimous decision victory in January.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, has not fought since his draw with Mario Barrios in July 2025, when he ended a near four-year layoff and almost claimed the WBC welterweight title.

Yet despite that surprisingly impressive performance, former world champion Malignaggi has emphasised on his YouTube channel that, against Stevenson, the 47-year-old would be facing an entirely different competitor.

“Manny Pacquiao-Shakur Stevenson has no place on this card; [it] has no place in big-time boxing. I am completely befuddled.

“[I’m] disappointed in Stevenson; [I’m] disappointed in Zuffa, obviously. These are ‘click bait’ type of fights. These are names that draw attention, so you can get people to watch. Then the fight’s a dud and all these casuals sit there complaining about boxing, telling you why boxing’s dead.”

Malignaggi went on to credit Pacquiao with being “competitive against the worst world champion I’ve ever seen in my life”, emphasising a considerable difference between Barrios and Stevenson.

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Boxing

Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton Scorecard Analysis: Key Highlights and Insights

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"Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton Scorecard Analysis: Key Highlights and Insights"

World Boxing News provides a round-by-round scorecard as Johnny Fisher faces Michael Pirotton at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Fisher and Pirotton collide over ten rounds at heavyweight as Zuffa Boxing stages its latest card in the United Kingdom.

The Romford Bull returns to action with Pirotton standing in his way as the British heavyweight looks to continue his climb.

WBN provides a live scorecard of the contest below, plus live results throughout the event.


Fisher vs Pirotton Scorecard

Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton

(Round-by-round scorecard will refresh every 2 mins)

Heavyweight
Copper Box Arena, London
10×3


Round Fisher Pirotton
Round 1 10 9
Round 2 10 9
Round 3 9 10
Round 4 9 10
Round 5 10 9
Round 6 10 9
Round 7 10 9
Round 8 10 9
Round 9 10 9
Round 10 10 9
WBN Totals: 98 92

Official Result: FISHER MD – 98-92, 96-95, 95-95


Zuffa Boxing

Preview

Fisher faces Pirotton in the first fight of his lucrative deal with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing.

The Briton enters the contest with a 14-1 record, while Pirotton brings a 12-2 record into the Zuffa Boxing 11 bout.

The event is available live on Sky in the United Kingdom and Paramount+.

The Fisher vs Pirotton event unfolds alongside more live coverage on World Boxing News.


About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.

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