BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2000 | Lewis in London

Although boxing forecasts are rarely worth staking a mortgage on, it seems that Francois Botha has very little chance of upsetting the odds when he meets Lennox Lewis on Saturday evening in London.

Of the experts that Sport Online spoke to, only one gave the South African any chance of hearing the final bell, with the consensus being that Lewis will have the job by the sixth round.

Glenn McCrory, former world cruiserweight champion

Lennox will win. Botha is a decent opponent who is quite tough but Lennox is in the best form of his life. I reckon Lennox will do a good job in about seven rounds. But in the heavyweight division, everyone has a chance and Lewis cannot afford to be anything but at his best.

Claude Abrams, editor of Boxing News

I think Lewis wins very easily. Botha is the perfect opponent for Lewis - easy to hit, brave, too small and too slow. All he has is gameness. He'll get pounded and might end up going in four rounds.

Colin Hart, boxing columnist for The Sun

Lewis will win - I think because Botha is not a puncher and Lewis is too big and strong. I think it will be a massive points win for Lewis, because I think Botha will take him all the way.

James Lawton, sports columnist for The Independent

I think that Lennox should win quite quickly. Botha is not a bad boxer and did well with Tyson but he got cocky and Tyson nailed him with a good punch in a fight he was winning comfortably. He is a decent fighter but he doesn't have the power and it should be over in three rounds.

Johnny Nelson, WBO Cruiserweight champion.

Johnny Nelson expects the fight to be exciting
I think Lewis will win in six to seven rounds. I think technically he is superior. Lennox is on top of his game and I think will be too strong for him, even though Botha is very strong himself. I think it will end between six or seven rounds. But it will be good while it lasts.

Richie Woodhall, former WBC super middleweight champion

Without a doubt Lewis will win. I think as long as he has prepared properly like he always does, it will be all over in five rounds.

Colin McMillan, former WBO Featherweight champion
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Colin McMillan is a big fan of Lewis

I fancy Lennox big time to win this. I think after four or five rounds and it will be all Lennox.

Glyn Leach, editor of Boxing Monthly

Lewis will win and I'll be surprised if it goes four rounds. I think he can take him out early - I don't think Botha can stand up to the bombs. Botha is not a puncher so even the chance of catching him cold seems remote.

But Lewis has shown vulnerability early and there is a chance he may be overconfident, although I don't think it's going to happen.


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