Gerrie Coetzee

Gerrie Coetzee (actually: Gerhardus Christian Coetzee, born April 8, 1955 in Boksburg, South Africa ) is a former South African heavyweight boxer and WBA champion.

Amateur

His record was 185 wins and seven losses, three of them against his South African compatriot Kalli Knoetze.

Professional

Coetzee 1974 pro. In 1979, he was the former world champion Leon Spinks beat and earned thereby a world championship bout by TKO in the first round. In October of that year he fought in South Africa for the vacant title on the version of the WBA against the black American John Tate, whose trip to South Africa was heavily criticized by civil rights activists. Tate beat him on points.

A year later, he fought once again for the WBA belt now held by Mike Weaver. Also this fight he lost in South Africa, this time by technical knockout in the thirteenth round. In the U.S., he was defeated in 1981 Renaldo Snipes disputed on points, although he scored two rainfall in combat course.

In 1983, he boxed against the undefeated Pinklon Thomas undecided in the U.S. and shortly thereafter received his third title fight. Very surprisingly, he was on September 23, 1983 knock the still undefeated WBA titlist Michael Dokes in the U.S. and became world champion. But He injured once again beat his hand, which also defeated a targeted unification bout with Larry Holmes.

Equally surprising, he lost in December 1984 in his first title defense against the talented but often phlegmatic Greg Page by KO in South Africa.

After a victory in 1985 against challenger James Tillis he went to England and was knocked out by Frank Bruno in 1986 in the first round, then he finished his career. 1993 and 1997, he returned for short-term comeback back into the ring. His last professional fight he lost in June 1997 against Iran Barkley prematurely.