Comments Thread For: Gerrie Coetzee, Former WBA Heavyweight Champ From South Africa, Dies At 67

[MastaBlasta]

RIP warrior. He was a champ during a tremendous time. To live thru the end of apartheid and the last 30 years of South African change says a lot too. RIP Champ.

[1Eriugenus]

Have huge respect for Gerrie. He definitely was one of the good guys in the sport.When S Africa was an Apartheid regime he was opposed to prejudice. He was a warrior for freedom & equality. I recall that when he got married his best man was one of his sparring partners, who was black. That didn't go down well in a country that prohibited black& white fraternising. He was also a decent boxer with a good jab, a dynamite right hand & some skills. I also remember a comedy moment when he came over, well past his best, to fight Bruno. Gerrie spoke about his opposition to the Apartheid regime & then said something like 'I won't tolerate bigotry, I call a spade a spade'. Frank Bruno burst out laughing then had to explain to Gerrie that, in the UK, a 'spade' was a slightly derogatory term for someone black. I don't think anyone says 'spade' anymore, it was v much 70s & 80s slang.

[CPNUTKnockoutFreshMart]

Definitely one of the good guys in boxing and the world. Rest in Peace Champ.

[TBear]

R.I.P. Champ. I remember that bionic right hand.

[PunchyPotorff]

Sad to hear it. R.I.P. champ... and thanx for giving the fans 100% every fight.