Former heavyweight boxer Gerrie Coetzee has died. He is 67 years old.
Coetzee’s manager Thinus Strydom confirmed to News24 that he succumbed to lung cancer on Thursday at his home in Cape Town.
Record breaking giants
Born in Boksburg in April 1955, Gerhardus Christian Coetzee was the eldest of four children and his father Flip, an amateur boxing coach, enticed him into the sport by giving him pocket money every time he entered the ring.
Eventually developing a passion for boxing, Coetzee continued to improve his skills throughout his youth, competing in nearly 200 amateur bouts with only seven defeats.
Graduating at the highest level, he made his professional debut in September 1974 at the age of 19, defeating Chris Roos on points in a four-round contest.
Also read: Boxing big in Pretoria
He went on to win another 21 fights in a row over the next five years, and in June 1979, he sent ripples through the boxing world when he knocked out American giant Leon Spinks three times in the first round. He was handed a technical knockout victory in Monaco, just nine months after Spinks caused an incredible upset by defeating compatriot Muhammad Ali.
After making headlines around the globe, Coetzee was dealt a major blow four months later.
He made history as the first fighter from Africa to compete for the heavyweight title, and lost to John Tate in the fight for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) belt in Pretoria, and although he got another chance the following year, he collapsed. for another American, Mike Weaver, in Sun City.
In September 1983, he made history again when he knocked out Michael Dokes in the 10th round in Ohio, becoming the first fighter from Africa to win the global heavyweight crown, the WBA belt.
READ MORE: Gerrie Coetzee – record-breaking giant’s life immortalized
‘The giant has fallen’
Tributes have been pouring in on social media as South Africans shared fond memories of the boxing legend.
“A boxing legend has fallen. Rest in peace Gerrie Coetzee. I remember how we woke up in the morning, watching you fight. WBA World Champion. Nothing but love for your family,” wrote Jerome Samuels on Facebook, while Adriaan Harding shared : “RIP oom Gerrie Coetzee. Last time I saw you, you took me and Marlize Brits to the farewell matric…. will never forget that day.”
Additional reporting by Wesley Botton