Holyfield v Botha off

New York - Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield will not fight South African Francois Botha in Uganda next month after a Swedish promoter failed to send 10% of the purse in advance.

Holyfield has not fought in 13 months since losing a title-fight decision to Russian Nikolai Valuev, the fifth defeat in the past nine fights for the 47-year-old fighter whose career mark is 42-10 with two drawn.

Ken Sanders, Holyfield's manager, told ESPN the fight was expected to be rescheduled for March 6 at a US site, possibly Miami, and that Holyfield would fight again in April at Las Vegas against American Derric Rossy.

There were also internet reports that 41-year-old Botha, 47-4 with three drawn, would fight another American, Joey Abell, in Uganda next month.

The later days of Holyfield's 26-year career have been dogged by financial woes, including child support issues involving some of his 11 children.