Watch Showtime Championship Boxing: Tyson vs. Botha 33l6p

On January 16, 1999, Showtime Championship Boxing presented a highly anticipated fight between heavyweight boxers Mike Tyson and Francois Botha at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The event was billed as "The Brawl in the Hall" and was a major draw for boxing enthusiasts and casual fans alike. 4ni3l

Mike Tyson, aka "Iron Mike," was an iconic figure in boxing and one of the most feared boxers of all time. He had a remarkable record of 45 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest heading into the fight. Despite being past his prime, Tyson's reputation for knocking out his opponents with devastating force made him a formidable foe in the eyes of many.

Francois Botha, on the other hand, was a relatively unknown boxer at the time. In his 46 professional fights, he had accumulated a record of 44 wins (29 by knockout), 3 losses, and 1 no-contest. Despite being the underdog, Botha was a skilled boxer who had fought and won against several respected opponents in his career.

The fight was scheduled for 12 rounds, and both boxers came into the bout in excellent physical condition. From the opening bell, Tyson came out aggressively, throwing heavy punches that landed with force. Botha, however, proved to be a more elusive opponent than Tyson had anticipated, using his footwork to avoid some of Tyson's most powerful punches.

As the fight progressed, Tyson showed signs of fatigue, and Botha began to take control of the bout. He landed several strong punches of his own, though none quite had the same impact as Tyson's earlier blows. Still, as the fight moved into the later rounds, it seemed as though Botha might be able to outlast Tyson and secure the upset victory.

The final rounds were marked by several controversial moments. In the ninth round, Tyson landed a punch after the bell that left Botha feeling disoriented and shaken. The referee, however, failed to penalize Tyson for the infraction, which left many fans and commentators feeling outraged.

In the 10th round, Botha appeared to have Tyson on the ropes, and many thought he was close to securing the knockout victory. However, Tyson managed to fight his way back and avoid defeat. The final two rounds were hard-fought but ultimately uneventful, and the fight went to the judges' scorecards.

Despite the controversy surrounding Tyson's late punch, the judges ultimately awarded the win to Tyson by unanimous decision. Many fans and commentators felt as though Botha had been robbed of the victory, and criticized the judges for failing to penalize Tyson for his infraction.

Overall, the fight between Tyson and Botha was an exciting and intensely competitive bout. Both fighters showed incredible heart and skill, and the outcome remained in doubt until the final bell. While the controversy surrounding the ending of the fight marred the event somewhat, it remains a memorable and significant moment in the history of boxing.