News Talk
Today, 33 years ago, Gerrie Coetzee became the first SA boxer to win a heavyweight title─── 11:00 Fri, 23 Sep 2016
South African boxer, Gerrie Coetzee, defeated American Michael Dokes in Cleveland, Ohio for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavy weight title on 23 September 1983.
It was a matter of third time’s a charm for Coetzee after two previous defeats for the world title.
It was a highly anticipated match as the boxing world and Coetzee’s fans watched in bated breath to see if the third attempt would finally earn Coetzee the big one.
Coetzee won the match by knock out in the tenth, and went from the boxer known as ‘the one who couldn’t win the big one’ to South Africa’s first world heavyweight champion.
Coetzee had been plagued by arm injuries, and had several surgeries in both his arms throughout his boxing career.
Coetzee retired from boxing in 1993. His record stands at 66 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw.
Source: South African History Online
Compiled by Moeketsi Mogotsi/OFM News
