South African boxing mourns ex-WBA heavyweight champ Gerrie Coetzee

Gerrie Coetzee, former WBA heavyweight champion of the world, passed away yesterday from cancer at the age of 67. Coetzee was a big man and a huge deal in the eyes of South African public at that time. He had a meteoric rise and had the right opponents. His career was marred by injuries and political pressure. He adopted an orphaned black boy. When fighting overseas, he had to contend with anti-Apartheid protests. he adopted a black orphan. The former fighter was always polite on the phone but shy. It is usually not difficult to get him on a phone or in front of a camera.