It has been a sad time for South African heavyweight boxing division, especially with the passing last week of legendary Gerrie Coetzee – the 67 year old former WBA world champion who was buried last weekend in Cape.
The developed countries heavyweight champion from SA, who publicly denounced apartheid law to become a symbol of multiracialism, succumbed to cancer.
SA has had great heavyweight champions – Pierre Coetzer, Francois Botha, Corrie Sanders, Johnny du Plooy to mention but a few. Coetzer, the former SA champion – did not win a world title but he fought some of great boxers in business – Larry Frazer, Eddie Taylor, Alfredo Evangelista, Riddick Bowe, Frank Bruno and George Foreman.
Botha won the IBF title though he was stripped of it after failing a dope test. Sanders held the WBU title before producing the upset of 2003 when he dethroned defending WBO holder Wladimir Klitschko with a second-round KO in Germany. Du Plooy did not get to the highest point but he mixed with the likes of Mike Weaver and David Bey.
Reflecting back on last year, fresh in my memory is the clash between Shaun Potgieter and Wilhelm Nebe at Booysens Gym on December 16. Potgieter has been this slugger with no heart. But what I saw from the recorded fight left me wondering if it was the same fighter.
He had lost a lot weight; was in good shape; had perfect head movement and was very light on his feet. Credit to veteran trainer Harold Volbrecht. Potgieter’s win – TKO 2 – has earned him the No 5 ranking. The SA title is held by Keaton Gomes.
“I had no confidence and self-belief,” said the Brakpan-based fighter who was born in Turffontein. “Rick Rex also helped me with training in the gym at his house from August before I joined Harold.” Rick is a die-hard boxing fan and also a businessman who sponsors boxing under his Rex Diff and Gearbox company.
“I weighed 152 kilograms and he helped me to get down to 115 kilograms,” said Potgieter, who wants to win the SA title and probably go on and do what Coetzee did.
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