BRISBANE – Francois Botha, the former heavyweight boxing world champion beaten by former All Black Sonny Bill Williams on Friday night, has tested positive to a banned substance.
Reuters
Botha, whose claims that he did not know the WBA international heavyweight bout would only last 10 rounds have also now been discredited, failed a drugs test on the eve of the fight.
Results of a urine sample submitted by the 44-year-old South African in Brisbane last Tuesday under WBA regulations show he had Phentermine – a banned stimulant – in his system.
The drugs test, which has now been forwarded to the WBA’s global headquarters in Panama, also detected Benzodiazepine, which suggested Botha was also using a valium-type product.
After the fight, Williams has tried to placate Botha with a rematch in South Africa, although it seems unlikely to be sanctioned by the World Boxing Association.
As condemnation stemming from Friday night’s controversial bout at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre continues, Williams confirmed his post-fight offer to resume their unfinished business at the end of his National Rugby League campaign with the Sydney Roosters.
Botha demanded a rematch after their battle for the vacant belt culminated in the 44-year-old claiming he had been robbed of the title because the duration of the contest was surprisingly shortened from the regulation 12 rounds to 10.
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Williams won by unanimous points decision, but was on the verge of losing his unbeaten professional record – now 6 and 0 – after Botha landed telling blows in the dying seconds.
