Gerrie Coetzee, a hard-punching former heavyweight champion, dies at 67
Gerrie “Dynamite”) Dokes was defeated by Gerrie Coetzee in 1983. After a short battle against cancer, Coetzee died Thursday. His daughter Lana confirmed his passing at the age of 67.
Coetzee was 33-6-1 and had 21 knockouts during a career that spanned from 1974 to 1997. His career highlight came in Richfield, Ohio on Sept. 23, 1983 when he knocked out Dokes in the 10th round. Coetzee had already dropped Dokes in round five, and finished Dokes with two rights in round 10.
Coetzee stated that he suffered a hand injury after the fight and would likely not be able to use his right for the last five rounds. Coetzee had 23 hand surgeries in his entire career.
Coetzee struck Dokes with his back-to-back straight right hand. Dokes fell facefirst after the second round, but he grabbed a rope. Coetzee moved to a neutral corner and prayed, as Tony Perez counted.
Dokes was struggling to get up on his feet. Coetzee said, “It’s broken once again.” Dokes grabbed for the rope. Coetzee said he prayed“Please, God. Don’t let he get up!” He was already a victim of 15 hand surgeries, and felt no chance in many fights that he had lost due to his multiple surgeries.
Greg Page defeated Coetzee to win the title in his first defense of the title on Dec. 1, 1984. The belt was never returned to him. Coetzee was familiar with most of the major names of his time. He made his debut six weeks after George Foreman was stunned by Muhammad Ali to win the title. In 1997, Evander Holyfield became champion.
Coetzee was first to fight for the WBA title in 1979, when he lost a 15 round decision to John Tate. Mike Weaver defeated him in the 13th round of the second bid for the title. It was October 25, 1980. Dokes gave him the title, but Page won it.
Coetzee was able to fight many of the great heavyweights of the 1970s and 80s. He fought Page, Tate, Weaver, and Dokes in non-title fights. He also fought Pinklon Thomas, Leon Spinks and Frank Bruno, former heavyweight champions.
After losing to Bruno 1986, Coetzee resigned and was away from the sport for over seven years. He returned in 1993 with four fights that ended in a TKO defeat to Iran Barkley.