Holyfield stops Botha in 8

Former heavyweight champion and all time great Evander Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KO’s) plugged along Saturday night with a 8th round TKO of former contender Francois Botha (47-5-3, 28 KO’s) at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. Afterwards, the 47 year old former champ called out the two headed sibling monster that is currently the class of the heavyweight division: the Klitschko brothers.

"I'm going to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world," Holyfield said at the postfight press conference.

Through the first five rounds Saturday night, Holyfield didn’t look like someone that should be challenging a Klitschko anytime soon. Botha, age 41, was more active and aggressive winning rounds via his work rate. This was evident on the official scorecards as Botha was ahead on two of the cards at the time of the stoppage 67-66. Holyfield has the edge on the third card 69-64.

At one point, Botha ripped a body shot to Holyfield’s midsection that knocked the aging former champ backwards

Ultimately, it was Holyfield’s superior conditioning that got him the win. Botha, breathing heavily with a noticeable belly, began to fatigue in the 8th round and that’s when Holyfield made his move dropping him with a right hand. Botha beat the count but Holyfield’s follow up barrage on the fading contender prompted referee Russell Mora to call a halt to the action at 0:55 of the round.

“He's a true warrior. I didn't feel ashamed losing to a great champion like him." Botha said following the fight.

Wladimir Klitschko’s current prospective challengers include mandatory Alexander Povetkin, former titleholder Sam Peter and loudmouth David Haye. Despite the fact that a Holyfield fight would probably sell well in Germany, it’s not likely to happen anytime soon.

Older brother Vitali Klitschko has a defense scheduled against the completely undeserving Albert Sosnowski next month. Sosnowki is a journeyman with no credentials for a title shot.

Against either one, Holyfield would be a significant under dog and many states in the United States would be reluctant to sanction a bout with either Klitschko due to Holyfield’s diminished skills. However, it could happen overseas. Maybe, even somewhere in the states.

Holyfield still feels he has it.

"George Foreman said, 'It's not about my age and he became heavyweight champion of the world”.

Let’s just hope that warrior spirit that made Holyfield so great just doesn’t end up making him a tragic figure because of an ill conceived championship fight.