Gerrie Coetzee was a famous South African professional boxer of the late 20th century.
Born Gerhardus Christian Coetzee on 8 April 1955 in Boksburg, South Africa, he became the first African to win the world heavyweight championship.
Coetzee’s rise to fame was marked by his victory over Michael Dokes in 1983, when he won the WBA heavyweight title.
Known for his powerful right hand, nicknamed the “Bio Hand” due to multiple surgeries, Coetzee’s career has been defined by his resilience and skill in the ring.
File
- – Full name: Gerhardus Christian Coetzee
- – Nickname: Gerrie Coetzee, The Bionic Hand
- – Date of birth: April 8, 1955
- – Age as of 2024: Deceased (69 years old)
- – Gender: Male
- – Place of birth: Boksburg, South Africa
- – Nationality: South African
- – Occupation: Professional boxer
- – Height: 6 feet 4 inches
- – Parents: Flip Coetzee (father)
- – Siblings: Father (no name)
- – Wife/husband: Rina Coetzee
- – Children: Lana Coetzee and Gerard Coetzee
- – Relationship status: Married
- – Religion: None
- – Ethnicity: White
- – Net worth: $7 million
Early life and education
Gerrie Coetzee, who would have died at the age of 69 in 2024, was born on April 8, 1955, in Boksburg, a mining town in Gauteng, South Africa. He grew up in a working-class family; his father, Flip Coetzee, was an amateur boxing trainer. Gerrie was the eldest of four children. He was exposed to boxing from a young age, trained by his father.
Coetzee’s early life was marked by the challenges of growing up during apartheid, but he found solace and purpose in sport, particularly boxing. He attended local schools in Boksburg, but details of his further education or any specific qualifications are not available.
Personal life
Gerrie Coetzee is married to Rina Coetzee, and their relationship is an important part of his life. They met through mutual friends and shared a deep bond.
Despite the pressures and challenges of a professional boxing career, Gerrie and Rina have maintained a strong relationship. The couple have two children, Lana and Gerard Coetzee.
Career
Gerrie Coetzee began his professional boxing career in 1974. He quickly became known for his formidable punching power and strategic approach in the ring.
In 1983, Coetzee achieved the most important milestone of his career when he won the WBA heavyweight title, becoming the first African world champion. His victory over Michael Dokes was notable for his spectacular tenth-round knockout.
However, Coetzee’s career was frequently interrupted by injuries, particularly to his right hand, which earned him the nickname “Bio-Hand”.
Despite these setbacks, he remained a prominent figure in boxing, known for his resilience and tenacity. He retired in 1986 but made brief comebacks in 1993 and 1997.
Prize
- – WBA heavyweight champion (1983-1984)
- – “Most Unforgettable Event of the Year” (1983) by KO Magazine for his victory over Michael Dokes
Net worth
Gerrie Coetzee’s net worth is estimated at $7 million. His wealth is primarily amassed through his professional boxing career, including prize money from fights and possible sponsorship deals.
Death
Gerrie Coetzee died on January 12, 2023, at the age of 67. He died of complications related to cancer.
Argumentative
Throughout his career, Gerrie Coetzee has faced many controversies and challenges, many of which were related to the socio-political climate of South Africa during the apartheid era. One significant controversy was his stance on apartheid. Despite being a white South African, Coetzee spoke out against the apartheid regime.
He has often expressed a desire to see sport, including boxing, become more inclusive. This stance has earned him admiration from anti-apartheid activists, including Nelson Mandela, but has also put him at odds with some factions within his community and the South African government.
Another major controversy in Coetzee’s career involved disputes over his management and promotion. Throughout the 1980s, Coetzee had a number of public disagreements with his promoters, most notably with the notorious boxing promoter Don King.
These disputes often involved financial issues, including unpaid wages and contractual disagreements. Coetzee’s relationship with King was fraught with tension, culminating in a number of legal battles that affected his career.
In addition, Coetzee’s career was plagued by frequent injuries, particularly to his right hand, which required multiple surgeries. His repeated hand injuries led to speculation and controversy about his ability to continue playing at a high level.
Critics often questioned his durability and speculated about his ability to win against top opponents. Despite these setbacks, Coetzee maintained his status as a formidable opponent, proving his critics wrong with a number of notable victories.
One of his personal controversies involved his fight with Renaldo Snipes in 1980, when he lost a controversial decision that many boxing analysts and fans considered unfair.
The scoring system, which awarded rounds rather than points, went against Coetzee despite his dominant performance and knockdown. The decision has been widely criticised and is often cited as one of the worst judging decisions in boxing history.
Furthermore, Coetzee’s unification efforts, particularly with Larry Holmes, have been surrounded by controversy. Financial and contractual disagreements and Coetzee’s recurring hand injuries have prevented these high-profile fights from taking place, frustrating fans and boxing pundits.
Social media
- – Instagram: None
- – Twitter: None
