Gerrie Coetzee, boxer who became the first African world heavyweight champion but later lost inside a round to Frank Bruno – obituary

Gerrie Coetzee, who has died of cancer aged 67, was the first African boxer to win a version of the world heavyweight title; but in Britain, at least, he is best-remembered for suffering a humiliating one-round annihilation at the hands of Frank Bruno at Wembley in 1986 which effectively ended his career.

The enduring image of the unconscious South African stretched out on the canvas (“He is out, out, out!” cried the BBC commentator Harry Carpenter) is unfortunate, as Coetzee – a gentlemanly and dignified figure during a particularly chaotic era in the heavyweight division – was one of the better white heavyweights of the 1980s.

However, the big man from Transvaal fought most of his career under the shadow of South Africa’s apartheid regime, which dissuaded a number of prospective opponents from travelling to Sun City to take on “the Boksburg Bomber”.

Yet the somewhat shy, softly spoken 6ft 4in puncher was never slow to voice his distaste for his country’s politics and enjoyed a considerable following which encompassed black fans as well as white.

“As a white South African I’ve been involved in black and white confrontations all my career,” he told one interviewer. “I’m not concerned about race, just how good or how dangerous is the guy in the opposite corner.”

Significantly, Coetzee’s finest hour – his 10th-round knock-out of the gifted but erratic Mike Dokes at Ohio in 1983 to capture the World Boxing Association crown – prompted scenes of wild celebration back in South Africa and remains one of the nation’s greatest sporting triumphs.

The punch that put Dokes down was thrown by Coetzee’s so-called “bionic” right hand, which had previously been so badly broken surgeons had been forced to weld bone on to bone and set it in a fist shape. Sadly for Coetzee, the historic blow that made him a short-lived world champion caused another fracture – an injury which was to be further repeated as he trained for what would have been a hugely lucrative unification showdown with Larry Holmes in the summer of 1984.

Blessed with a formidable fighting physique along with abundant courage and determination, Coetzee was nevertheless something of an unlucky fighter. Never was this better demonstrated than when he controversially lost his world title belt to the American Greg Page on a knock-out after the timekeeper inexplicably allowed the fateful eighth round to overrun by almost a minute.

A little over a year later that crushing loss to Bruno ended Coetzee’s days as a title contender.

Born in Boksburg, Johannesburg, on August 4 1955, Coetzee was always destined to box. His father ran an amateur club – and his eldest son went on to win 185 out of 192 contests. Having gone to college intent on becoming a dental technician, Coetzee gave up his studies to focus on his fledgling pro career, which began in September 1974.

The heavy-handed youngster made an immediate impression, winning his first 22 bouts, including victories over his compatriot Kallie Knoetze and the former world title challenger Ron Stander, before disposing of Leon Spinks in a single round just nine months after the unpredictable American had lost the WBA title to Muhammad Ali.

As a result, Coetzee fought John Tate for the WBA crown before 86,000 fans in Pretoria in October 1979. It proved a forgettable encounter which saw South Africa’s great hope outpointed by his giant opponent. Twelve months later, Coetzee tried again – only to be knocked out in the 13th round at Sun City by Mike Weaver, who had previously stopped Tate.

Coetzee had seemed on his way to victory after downing the American in round eight, only for Weaver to stage a late rally. Coetzee, who sustained a broken nose and fractured ribs during the savage encounter, always regarded Weaver as his most formidable opponent.

The South African’s inability to finish off a stricken opponent was once again in evidence when he lost to the ever-dangerous title contender Renaldo Snipes in September 1981.

On that occasion, Coetzee put the American down in rounds one and four, only to end up on the wrong end of a split decision.

He rebuilt again with a run of four further victories, before drawing with the future champion Pinklon Thomas, and then in September 1983 it proved third time lucky for Coetzee when he knocked out Dokes.

“Gerrie Coetzee is the best heavyweight in the world,” the fight’s promoter Bob Arum had said beforehand. “Michael Dokes would be duck soup for Gerrie. I’d stake everything on it.”

Yet the newly crowned champ was forced to wait for what was to prove the sole defence of his title. After David Bey turned down a fight offer on political grounds, Greg Page stepped into the breach, although he would later express regret at electing to travel to Sun City.

The fight, at the Superbowl in December 1984, ended in farce after the hapless Coetzee was knocked out after three minutes and 48 seconds had elapsed in round eight.

“I trained for five-minute rounds,” responded Page, on learning of the error.

Although the aggrieved Coetzee subsequently lodged a protest, the WBA – under pressure to boycott fights in South Africa – refused to order a rematch.

Coetzee subsequently outpointed James Tillis in Johannesburg, only to be steamrollered by Bruno at his destructive best at Wembley Arena in March 1986.

“I don’t want to start building him up in my mind as if he was King Kong or God because he ain’t,” Bruno had said prophetically. “He’s another human being like me, looking for a crust.”

Having announced his retirement, Coetzee relocated to California with his wife, Rina.

He returned to the ring in 1993 and recorded three low-key victories before defeat against the former three-weight champion Iran Barkley at the Hollywood Palladium in June 1997 finally persuaded him to hang up the gloves for good. He finished with 33 wins (21 by KO) against six losses and a draw.

Coetzee later acted as an advisor to the South African heavyweight Frans Botha before returning to his homeland.

He is survived by Rina and their three children.

Gerrie Coetzee, born August 4 1955, died January 12 2023