Share

Botha to take another drug test

Johannesburg - Boxer Frans Botha will have another drug test on Monday to clear his name and said his chaotic fight with rugby player Sonny Bill Williams was "a disgusting state of affairs" and "amounts to match-fixing."

In a statement released through his promoters, the South African said the doping test which Australian media reported he had failed - before losing a decision for the vacant WBA international heavyweight title - was administered by "a confidant" of Williams's manager, Khoder Nasser.

Botha, who has challenged Lennox Lewis and Vladimir Klitschko for world titles in a 23-year career, has asked his manager to apply to have the Williams bout removed from his record after he was unaware Saturday's fight had been shortened from 12 to 10 rounds.

GALLERY: Sonny Bill Williams v Francois Botha

Sonny Bill Williams v Francois Botha - highlights

Botha reportedly tested positive for the banned stimulant Phentermine before he lost on points to Williams, a former New Zealand rugby union international. He said on Monday the person who administered the drug test was "either a relative or a friend" of Williams' manager.

"I had a drug test a few days before the fight but I found out afterwards that it was not official when I asked for the results," Botha said.

Their shambolic fight in Australia was also changed to 10 rounds from the originally advertised and WBA standard 12 rounds, which Botha said he didn't know until the final round.

"I had Williams in all sorts of trouble in the 10th round and there was no way he was going to last one more round, let alone two, he was out on his feet," Botha said. "It was a disgusting state of affairs and it amounts to match-fixing. I have asked my manager to apply to have the bout expunged from my record."

Regional WBA representative Brad Vocale has said that he has doubts as to whether the fight was ever sanctioned by the WBA and that "sadly, boxing has been given a black eye again."

Many fans at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre booed the decision, believing Botha had won the fight. Some bookmaking agencies refunded bets.

The chaos at the Botha-Williams fight came days after the Australian Crime Commission released a report identifying significant use of doping in professional sport in the country, along with possible match-fixing and manipulation of betting markets.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Dolphins 0
Warriors RSA 116/2
loading... Live
Pakistan 106/4
New Zealand 178/7
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
64% - 420 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
36% - 233 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE