Pro-Boxing in South Africa during apartheid

[pundit]

I understand that there has always been a lively pro-boxing scene in South Africa, even though under apartheid fighters were largely banned from fighting outside the country, and few wordl calss fighters made the way to South Africa. At heayweight, for example, fighters like Coetzer, Knoetze, DuPlooy could only fight each other; the only guy getting some global exposure was Coetzee.

Are there some South Africans (or other knowledgeable folk) here who could brief us about the greatest SA prospects during that period?

P

[RazorKO]

I understand that there has always been a lively pro-boxing scene in South Africa, even though under apartheid fighters were largely banned from fighting outside the country, and few wordl calss fighters made the way to South Africa. At heayweight, for example, fighters like Coetzer, Knoetze, DuPlooy could only fight each other; the only guy getting some global exposure was Coetzee.

Are there some South Africans (or other knowledgeable folk) here who could brief us about the greatest SA prospects during that period?

P

As much as I love boxing, I do not know to much about South African fighters other than obvious as you stated - Knoetze, Duplooy, Frans Botha and of course Gerrie Coetzee. With Coetzee being considered as the best South African heavyweight, Botha also had some global exposure and so did Duplooy when he knocked out Weaver with one right hand. Im not so sure if Knoetze was considered pro - Apathied but I know for a fact that Coetzee hated the regime and regularly protested against it, thats why during the Tate and Weaver fight many black Africans supported Coetzee and that resulted in Coetzee getting targeted by Racists.

[pundit]

I understand that there has always been a lively pro-boxing scene in South Africa, even though under apartheid fighters were largely banned from fighting outside the country, and few wordl calss fighters made the way to South Africa. At heayweight, for example, fighters like Coetzer, Knoetze, DuPlooy could only fight each other; the only guy getting some global exposure was Coetzee.

Are there some South Africans (or other knowledgeable folk) here who could brief us about the greatest SA prospects during that period?

P

As much as I love boxing, I do not know to much about South African fighters other than obvious as you stated - Knoetze, Duplooy, Frans Botha and of course Gerrie Coetzee. With Coetzee being considered as the best South African heavyweight, Botha also had some global exposure and so did Duplooy when he knocked out Weaver with one right hand. Im not so sure if Knoetze was considered pro - Apathied but I know for a fact that Coetzee hated the regime and regularly protested against it, thats why during the Tate and Weaver fight many black Africans supported Coetzee and that resulted in Coetzee getting targeted by Racists.

Interesting. What about the other weight classes? Was there any particularly interesting fighter?

Cheers, P

[s9s]

There was a welterweight that Lloyd Honeygon refused to defend his title against, think his name was Harold something.

[bollox]

You're thinking of Harold Volbrecht. Mark Breland end up fighting him and winning the title that Honeyghan vacated (or had it vacated for him? ) Harold is still training fighters, something he's been doing since hanging them up

South Africa has had some terrific fighter through the years although due to their then circumstances they didn't perhaps receive the best support / facilities etc that they probably should have

Brian Mitchell anyone? Charlie Weir? Vic Toweel?

[john2345]

Brian Mitchell was probably the best S African fighter of that era. Take a look at his record on Boxrec. I saw the Jim McDonnell-Mitchell fight on TV... he was a really good fighter.

As I recall Mitchell was nicknamed "The Township Fighter" because he fought regularly in the black "townships" like Soweto against all comers - black or white.

Different topic, but I remember a short while back when PBF fought Philip N'Dou, the PBF "entourage" reckoned N'Dou would be scared of being in Grand Rapids in what they termed the "hood". N'Dou had lived rough on the streets of Soweto since he was a small kid.... although PBF was very good in that fight I thought that his lack of appreciation of life in Soweto was a bit clueless!

J

[RazorKO]

I understand that there has always been a lively pro-boxing scene in South Africa, even though under apartheid fighters were largely banned from fighting outside the country, and few wordl calss fighters made the way to South Africa. At heayweight, for example, fighters like Coetzer, Knoetze, DuPlooy could only fight each other; the only guy getting some global exposure was Coetzee.

Are there some South Africans (or other knowledgeable folk) here who could brief us about the greatest SA prospects during that period?

P

As much as I love boxing, I do not know to much about South African fighters other than obvious as you stated - Knoetze, Duplooy, Frans Botha and of course Gerrie Coetzee. With Coetzee being considered as the best South African heavyweight, Botha also had some global exposure and so did Duplooy when he knocked out Weaver with one right hand. Im not so sure if Knoetze was considered pro - Apathied but I know for a fact that Coetzee hated the regime and regularly protested against it, thats why during the Tate and Weaver fight many black Africans supported Coetzee and that resulted in Coetzee getting targeted by Racists.

Interesting. What about the other weight classes? Was there any particularly interesting fighter?

Cheers, P

Pierre Fourrie was a good South African lightheavyweight in his day fighting in Bob Foster's era. Infact if I remember correctly Fourrie fought Foster twice loosing both times on a 15 round decision, he also fought Galindez for the WBA title again lossing on a decision. Fourie however was a very boring fighter often going the distance and he ended his career by being knocked out by Gerrie Coetzee - The only time he was stopped according to boxrec.

[bigzab]

Damn you Razor, I wanted to get the first mention of Fourrie!!!
Anyway, Brian Mitchell, great fighter. I was a big fan of Tony Lopez, but when the rematch came with Mitchell, I was cheering for Mitchell. There should be more fighters like him.
Thulane Malinga does not get enough credit, maybe he wasn't the greatest fighter who ever lived, but you always knew he would give it everything he had.

[bigzab]

sorry, forgot the 'During Apartheid' bit. Forget I mentioned Sugarboy.

[pound per pound]

I understand that there has always been a lively pro-boxing scene in South Africa, even though under apartheid fighters were largely banned from fighting outside the country, and few wordl calss fighters made the way to South Africa. At heayweight, for example, fighters like Coetzer, Knoetze, DuPlooy could only fight each other; the only guy getting some global exposure was Coetzee.

Are there some South Africans (or other knowledgeable folk) here who could brief us about the greatest SA prospects during that period?

P

I forget the year, but Corrie Sanders took time out to congratulate a black South African fighter who won an alphabet belt a few years back when South Africa was in political turmoil. The move got some international press.

Keep in mind that South Africa does not have free press. Even today, the press is controlled by the government.

[Lenny]

sorry, forgot the 'During Apartheid' bit. Forget I mentioned Sugarboy.

That's alright, Malinga fought during apartheid

[locoxelbox]

In 1976, many african countries walked out from the Olympics because some team (don't remember which sport) had competed in South Africa. South Africa was banned from top international competition in the Olympics and many sports events during many years. How was it in pro boxing?
How come many black fighters went there and fought despite all that was happening?

[bollox]

The WBA were big in SA during the last years of apartheid. They ranked their fighters highly (possibly too highly). There were a number of fighters that either had to defend against or fight a SA fighter for a vacant title - some refused and were stripped / forfeited their challenge

From memory Brian Mitchell defended mostly in the challenger's home town to alleviate some of the anti-apartheid pressure, thus making his reign all the more impressive

[john2345]

How come many black fighters went there and fought despite all that was happening?

Big money on offer in Sun City

J