Boxing: Nelson has one eye on Botha

Johnny Nelson is set to go big-game hunting in his first defence as WBU heavyweight champion.

The Sheffield fighter is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson by snaring ’The White Buffalo’ Frans Botha after claiming the title with a comfortable points win over Alexander Vasiliev.

Botha’s limitations have been exposed since he narrowly failed to land the IBF crown against Michael Moorer in 1996, with Lewis and Tyson stopping him in two and five rounds respectfully.

But the South African will still represent a formidable test, with his record also including 44 wins and a draw against former world title challenger Shannon Briggs.

‘‘The original plan was for me to fight Frans Botha for this title in February, but after what happened with my cruiserweight title fight they brought the international champion in for me to fight instead,’’ revealed Nelson.

‘‘So my first defence will probably be against Frans Botha in February, maybe in London.

‘‘I’m quite looking forward to it it’s a name the general public can relate to, they’ve seen him box.

‘‘When Lennox Lewis boxed him he was at the top of his tree and he totally outclassed the guy, but Botha was doing an excellent job against Mike Tyson until Tyson brought out one his TNT bombs and knocked him out.

‘‘So it’s another risk fight, it’s another step up in class where I could end up with egg on my face, but that’s the gamble I’ve got to take.’’

Nelson had been due to defend his WBO cruiserweight title against Napoleon Tagoe at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday night.

But when the Argentine challenger failed a medical due to an eye injury, the 35-year-old’s step up to heavyweight was brought forward.

And he made light of his limited preparation to outpoint his Russian opponent by scores of 118-110, 119-109 and 120-107.

Although no spring chicken himself, Nelson believes the heavyweight scene could soon be left wide-open by the abdication of the division’s current super-powers.

‘‘This is the reason why I stepped up to heavyweight,’’ he said.

"There are no dominant heavyweights coming through out there.

‘‘Lennox Lewis has only got two fights left in him and so, probably, has Mike Tyson. So there’s a chance for me to slip in through the back door and get a major title.’’