JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- American Evander Holyfield will challenge South African Francois Botha for the World Boxing Federation world heavyweight title in Uganda on Jan. 16, the South African Press Association reported on Thursday.

    Organizers for the fight at Kampala's Nambole Stadium said that both boxers had signed contracts and a crowd of 80,000 are expected to watch the bout.

    "I am very much looking forward to going to Uganda and I expect a tough fight against Francois Botha," said Holyfield (47-10 with 2 draws), who has not fought since losing a points decision to Nikolai Valuev in a World Boxing Association title fight in December 2008.

    "I am going to win and I will cherish the WBF world title," said the 47-year-old American, a former world cruiserweight and heavyweight champion.

    "I have always been my own harshest critic. My performance against Carrion, without making any excuses, was arguably the worst of my career," said Botha, who retained his WBF title by drawing with Pedro Carrion of Cuba in Germany in October.

    "Expect the fittest, toughest and best ever - and extremely serious -- Francois Botha in Uganda in January. I owe my fans and members of Team Botha the performance of my life. I intend to make good on that," he added.