D-Day in the ring for young Simba

THE moment of truth is beckoning for local heavyweight prospect Flo Simba when he takes on veteran and experienced former world champion Francois Botha in an eagerly anticipated non-title clash at Emperors Palace tomorrow.

The 21-year-old Simba has knocked out all but one of his 10 opponents so far, with the only exception Elvis Moyo who exposed chinks in the youngster’s amour in their six-round clash last June.

While Simba atoned himself when he easily halted his next five opponents within the distance, the level of his opposition was increasingly subject to criticism until his promoter, Rodney Berman, approached Botha to face his prized-asset. Botha, 42, had previously missed out on an opportunity to test his skills against unbeaten British prospect Tyson Fury when the British Boxing Board of Control turned down the fight in February on the basis that “White Buffalo” was too old.

While Botha is past his prime – a prime that netted him an IBF crown in 1995 before being stripped of the title after testing positive for a banned substance – he is not considered such a ‘madala’ by heavyweight standards.

Heavyweight fighters often base their fighting on plodding and throwing bombs with little in the way of footwork, bobbing and weaving where sharp reflexes and athleticism are required.

Botha also knows all the tricks in the business – such as mauling, wrestling and holding – needed to throw a novice off his game plan and the White Buffalo is expected to delve into such tactics in tomorrow’s fight. “I come with plenty of experience and Simba will learn that boxing is more than just throwing punches,” Botha said.

Indeed, holding his own against the likes of Mike Tyson – who he was beating for five rounds before Tyson delivered a single knockout punch in the sixth round, as well as Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko, Michael Moorer (with whom he ex-changed punches for 12 rounds before getting stopped just moments before the final bell) and Evander Holyfield, should help Botha deal with any trick Simba comes up with.

However, Simba is blessed with blinding speed and considerable reach advantage which, if utilised properly. might turn the fight into a one- sided affair.

“Flo’s youth will make the difference in this fight and trust me he will be too fast for Botha,” said Simba’s trainer Harold Volbrecht.

Simba, who only had five amateur fights, is still on a learning curve in the fistic game, and will claim the biggest scalp of his career if he beats Botha.

“I have said it all along that Simba is a special talent and when he beats Botha people will understand what I have been saying,” said Berman.

Another clash pitting youth against experience will play out when IBO super middleweight champion Thomas Oosthuizen defends against William Gare. The 23-year-old Oosthuizen is expected to be stretched to the limit by gritty 35-year-old Gare who has never been knocked out in his 17-year professional career.

Fourteen losses in 41 fights makes Gare look like a journeyman, but the current WBF champion is much more capable in the ring than his record suggests and will give the unbeaten champion plenty to think about.

Other fights include a highly anticipated IBO welterweight title eliminator between Chris Van Heerden and Bongani Mwelase, an SA light heavyweight title defence by Johnny Muller against Tshepang Mohale and a cruiserweight non-title bout between Thabiso Mchunu and Dannie Venter.