IBF Tells Schulz and Botha to Prepare for Title Fight

The International Boxing Federation on Friday told promoters for Francois Botha of South Africa and Axel Schulz of Germany they had 30 days to arrange a fight for the heavyweight title vacated by George Foreman.

The fight must take place within 120 days, said Bob Lee, the IBF president.

Don King represents Botha, the No. 1 IBF contender, and Cedric Kushner promotes No. 2 Schulz, who lost a disputed decision to Foreman on April 22 in Las Vegas.

On Thursday, promoter Bob Arum announced that Foreman had given up the IBF title rather than accept a mandate by the IBF that he fight a rematch with Schulz.

“I am disappointed in the tacky way in which George gave up his title,” Lee said. “He didn’t even bother to call us. We had to read it in the newspapers.”

Foreman, at 47 the oldest heavyweight champion in history, will fight only once more, probably against Michael Moorer either late this year or early next year, Arum said.

Foreman won both the IBF and WBA versions of the title last November when he knocked out Moorer in the 10th round of their title fight. The WBA earlier stripped Foreman of its title because he did not defend against the top contender at the time, Tony Tucker. Its champion is now Bruce Seldon.