Holy man wants to fight Holyfield in Vienna -- Austrian Independent

Austrian Independent

A former Austrian boxing champ-turned priest has said he hopes for a chance to challenge multiple world champion Evander Holyfield.

Austrian media reported recently that a promotion company was trying to stage a fight with the 47-year-old US boxing superstar in Vienna on 18 August.

Now Congo-born Biko Botowamungo said: "I have been exercising a lot. I’m young forever."

The Vienna-based retired boxer, 52, said today (Tues) he was dreaming of facing Holyfield – who has not lost a fight since 1992 – in the ring in his hometown.

Botowamungo took part in the 1988 Olympic Games for Austria. He lost in the first round against US silver medallist Riddick Bowe.

Botowamungo said he discovered his passion for boxing watching the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle" between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali in 1974.

He moved to the United States where he worked as a security guard for the United Nations before coming to Europe. After living in Berlin for a few years, he settled down in Austria.

Botowamungo recently hit out at Austria for "not being a boxing country".

"There’s no pay TV which shows fights, the young people haven’t got a place to work out. They don’t get motivated and promoted either," he said in an interview.

Botowamungo today works as a Baptist preacher at several Viennese communities.

Source: austrianindependent.com