Gerrie Coetzee Obituary

Heavyweight boxing champion Gerrie Coetzee passed away on 12th of January 2023, at the age of 67.

Coetzee had a long battle with cancer before he died.

He is survived by his wife, Rina, and two children.

Who Was Gerrie Coetzee?

Gerrie Coetzee was a professional boxer who held the WBA title from 1983 to 1984, and the first African to ever win a world heavyweight championship.

Born on April 8, 1955, in Boksbury, South Africa, Coetzee made remarkable wins against other WBA world heavyweight champions Michael Dokes, Leon Spinks, Ron Stander, and Randy Stephens.

Coetzee began his boxing career in 1974, and in his first boxing bout, he recorded a win against fellow South African Christian Roos.

Coetzee earned the nickname “The Bionic Hand”, because he had problems with his right hand, and had to undergo three surgeries.

He ended his career with 33 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw, in a total of 40 fights.