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, he died on Thursday. At 67, his daughter Lana confirmed his death.

Coetzee, who had a career of 33-6-1 with 21 knockouts, was a 33-year-old man. He won his career highlight in Richfield (Ohio) on Sept. 23, 1993 when he defeated Dokes late in the 10th. 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 has had 23 hand operations in his 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 struggled for his feet as Coetzee said, “It’s broke again.” Dokes grasped at the rope. Coetzee said he prayed“Please, God. Don’t let he get up,” he said. He had already had 15 hand operations and felt that he wasn’t going to win many of the fights that he’d 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 had fought many of the biggest names of his era. He made his debut six weeks before Muhammad Ali beat George Foreman to 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 knocked him out in the 13th round of his second attempt to win the title on 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 in 1986 Coetzee was forced to retire and was absent from the sport for seven years. He returned in 1993 with four fights that ended in a TKO defeat to Iran Barkley.