Britain's world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will receive another prestigious boxing honour after his title defence against Francois Botha at the London Arena next week.

Lewis, generally regarded as the true world champion, will be presented with the World Boxing Council's Champion of the Year award from WBC president Jose Sulaiman at the post-fight press conference.

"The WBC has voted Lennox as the Champion of the Year 1999. He is a wonderful example to young people, great for the WBC and for world boxing," said Sulaiman.

The South African-born Botha goes into the 15 July contest as a rank outsider.

But Botha, who is now a US citizen, will not go home empty-handed even if he loses to Lewis, as he will be presented with a commemorative medal after the bout.

The new chairman of the Board of Control, Lord Brooks of Tremorfa, will also receive a plaque from the WBC to mark his election to the senior post in British boxing.