SCHULZ, AXEL-FRANS BOTHA OFFICIAL PROGRAM (1995)

On December 9, 1995 at Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany heavyweights Axel Schulz and Frans Botha fought for the vacant IBF title. Botha won a controversial 12 round split decision. The decision was later overturned. On June 3, 1995, the IBF ordered George Foreman, the organization's heavyweight champion, to defend the title against Schulz, whom he defeated by a controversial decision six weeks earlier. Foreman chose to vacate the title. The IBF then ruled that Botha, ranked No. 1, and Schulz, ranked No. 2, would fight for the vacant title. There was a crowd of 11,000 at the Botha-Schulz fight. The decision was controversial, as many felt Schulz had won the fight. Fans flung coins and beer bottles into the ring following the decision. Botha tested positive for anabolic steroids after the fight. Botha said he was innocent, claiming his food had been spiked before the bout. The IBF fined Botha $50,000 on February 24, 1996, and ordered a rematch. The rematch was to take place within 180 days, with the stipulation that neither fights in the interim. The winner then had 120 days to defend the title against Michael Moorer. But after Moorer's promoter, Dino Duva, protested that the IBF had previously agreed to have Moorer challenge the winner of the Botha-Schulz fight, the IBF changed its decision and ordered a Botha-Moorer match. On March 8, Schulz and his promoters, Cedric Kushner and Sauerland Promotions, filed suit in U.S. federal court seeking the disqualification of Botha. 19 days later, U.S. District Judge Dickerson R. Debevoise ordered Botha disqualified. The IBF's failure to remove Botha as champion was an "egregious" violation of its own rules, the judge ruled. On April 23, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit refused to hear Botha's appeal, paving the way for Moorer-Schulz on June 22 for the vacant title. Offered here is a scarce, original, official program for this event.
This is an original, official program. 62 pages complete plus covers. Tight binding. Not creased or torn. Clean inside and out. Not scored. Minor corner wear. 8 1/8" x 11 5/8."