The funeral of slain former world heavyweight boxing champion Corrie Sanders is to be held in Pretoria at the NG church in Amandasig, north of the city today.
Sanders died in Pretoria's Kalafong Hospital eight days ago after being shot in a restaurant in Brits in North West. He was attending his nephew's birthday celebrations when robbers entered the restaurant and opened fire, killing Sanders.
Police say the gunmen took people’s personal belongings at the function. Three Zimbabweans who have been arrested in connection with Sanders's death are due to appear in court today.
At the address where two of the men were arrested, police recovered a cellular phone, vehicle key, purse and cash believed to have been stolen during the robbery. "Police then went to a second address and a third suspect was arrested," said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.
The three men are expected to face charges of murder and armed robbery.
Meanwhile, Boxing South Africa (BSA) has described the death as a big blow to the country's boxing fraternity.
BSA chairperson, Ngconde Balfour, said the news was shocking adding that Sanders had played an important role in the development of the sport in the country. "We really feel that these things should not happen to people who are icons who can help BSA ensure that future champions of this country are trained and educated. Our condolences then to his family and to the boxing fraternity at large," said Balfour.
Sanders was 46. He held the heavyweight titles of both the World Boxing Organisation and the World Boxing Union. Sanders's most famous win was his 2003 upset of Wladimir Klitschko with a second-round knockout to take the WBO title in Hanover, Germany. He retired five years later.
