Former World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion Gerrie Coetzee died on Thursday after succumbing to cancer. He was 67.
Renowned for his thunderous punching power and elegant ring craft for such a big man, Gerrie Coetzee, South Africa’s first world heavyweight champion, lost his final, short fight against cancer on Thursday.Gerrie Coetzee in Cape Town on 26 January 2022.
He briefly became world champion between 1983-84 by sensationally knocking out rising star Michael Dokes in his home state, in the 10th round in Richfield, Ohio on 23 September 1983. The final denouement came courtesy of two vicious right hands as Dokes fell, almost in slow motion, desperately clutching at the rope to hold him up.After an impressive local amateur career, Coetzee turned pro. He was immediately successful and soon was fighting for the SA heavyweight crown.
The heavyweight boxing championship eliminator between Gerrie Coetzee and Leon Spinks in Monte Carlo, Monaco in 1979. Tate overcame Knoetze by TKO in Mmabatho to claim the other berth to fight for the vacant WBA title. Coetzee’s first shot at glory came at a time when he was undefeated after 22 fights.
After a tentative performance against Tate, Coetzee was more aggressive in the Weaver fight, hurting the champion in the eighth round. But the American managed to recover and again Coetzee ran out of steam as Weaver scored a 13th-round TKO.
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