Former IBF world heavyweight champion Francois Botha will headline the second Thursday Night Fights UAE at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai on May 1.

The South African has enjoyed a distinguished career in which he has faced a number of world champions and some of the finest heavyweights of the last two decades.

Botha has shared a ring with Mike Tyson, Lennos Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko, but is perhaps best remembered for winning the IBF title back in 1995 when he defeated Germany’s Axel Schulz.

The 45-year-old has lost his last six fights but will be hoping to get his career back on track against a yet to be named opponent. 

 Also featuring on the bill will be Brazilian welterweight champion and Floyd Mayweather, Sr. trained Antonio Mesquita who will commence his comeback against Dubai based French fighter Nordine Arik (17-2).

In addition to featuring top boxers from the international scene, May Day Mayhem also will feature regional and local stars such as 2012 Fighter of the Year Mohammad Ali Bayat (4-0), Syrian Brawler Abdul Kabanni (3-2), Lebanese Amateur standout Rabih Fayad (1-0) and Emirati Muhmmed Alshbli (Debut).

Edward Mendy, the CFO of Lion Heart Boxing Promotions said: “We see the potential of the UAE as the next Boxing Mecca and are excited to be early movers in the space.

“We are really encouraged by our continued development and incremental success in the promoting Boxing as a professional sport in UAE.

“With May Day Mayhem and Thursday Night Fights UAE, Lion Heart Boxing Productions not only plans to introduce the Thursday Night Fights series to Dubai, but also intends to develop the series into a major UAE sporting brand for worldwide television export.

“Further, we see Thursday Night Fights UAE as an additional platform to facilitate the growth and further development of Arab boxers in general and Emiratis in particular.”

Tickets will be available online and at all Virgin MENA stores, go on sale March 26, 2014, and are priced at: VIP Table of Ten with F&B, AED10,000; VIP Ringside, AED500; Ringside, AED400; Reserved Seating, AED300; General Admission Seated, AED200; and General Admission Standing AED150.

The event will be held at The Emirates Golf Club’s “The Lawns” venue and will be televised as part of the Thursday Night Fights UAE television series.