South African boxing legend Gerrie Coetzee has died at the age of 67.
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On Thursday, it was announced that Coetzee had passed away after a brief battle with the disease.
According to his family, he was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer.
He leaves behind his wife, Rina, and their two children, Lana and Gerald.
Coetzee, nicknamed ‘The Boksburg Bomber’, won 33 of his 40 career fights.
The Boksburg-born fighter successfully challenged for the WBA heavyweight title against Michael Dokes at the Ohio Coliseum in 1983.
He won the fight via knockout in the tenth round.
But he is perhaps best remembered on these shores for his memorable battle with Frank Bruno in London three years later.
After becoming South Africa’s first world heavyweight champion, and with wins over Leon Spinks, James Tillis and Scott LeDoux, he retired in 1997 at the age of 42.
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The highly respected sports writer Clinton van der Berg said: “A giant has fallen. The Boksburg bomber has succumbed to the disease. Almost exactly 40 years after his breakthrough, winning the WBA heavyweight championship by a 10th-round knockout of Mike Dokes, Gerrie Coetzee has died at age 67. One of my childhood heroes. RIP.”
South African rugby reporter Brendan Nel wrote: “Gerrie Coetzee. A memory from my childhood. Get up at 3 am to watch him box. The world heavyweight champion is gone. RIP.”
Former IBO welterweight champion Chris van Heerden added: “RIP man Gerrie Coetzee. South Africa’s first heavyweight boxing champion.”
Local politician Herman Mashaba also paid tribute saying: “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Gerrie Coetzee, a true champion who put South African boxing on the map. I had the privilege of working with Gerrie during the 1970’s and 1980’s to promote boxing and I will never forget his passion. My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
The official Bok Radio account also posted: “The legendary Gerrie Coetzee, SA’s first world heavyweight boxing champion, passed away today. Rest in peace Gerry. Your name will live forever. Our deepest condolences and condolences to all his friends and family.”
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