In the history of boxing, there are not many professional boxers who come from South Africa who have managed to become world champions. And already outstanding athletes in heavy weight can generally be counted on the fingers. This article will talk about a man who was able to climb to the top of world boxing. His name is Corrie Sanders.
Curriculum Vitae
Cornelius Johannes Sanders (this is the full name of our hero) was born on January 7, 1966 in Pretoria, South Africa. From an early age he was a big sports fan. As a teenager, he went skiing, playing golf and rugby. However, in the end, he still chose boxing. In many ways, the father of the guy who at one time was a boxer himself contributed to this choice.
Amateur career
The lovers of Corrie Sanders stayed long enough. He was able to win the national championship in all age divisions, due to which he was considered the strongest amateur boxer in South Africa in the mid-1980s. In total, the athlete spent 191 matches in amateurs. In 180 fights, he was able to win. Unfortunately, Corry did not perform at major international tournaments, as sanctions were imposed on his country by the UN.
Career in the pros
In 1989, Corrie Sanders completely turned into a professional. For this, he had to leave the police service, where he had worked for five whole years before. As time showed, he made the right choice.
The debut in the pro ring for the South African came on April 2, 1989. The distinguishing features of a fighter’s style include his most powerful left-handed punch and excellent hand speed. All this allowed him to become a real puncher. However, sometimes the boxer was too keen on and forgot about defense, because of which he often missed a lot and quickly got tired, as he always tried to knock out his opponent. In general, it cannot be said that Corrie Sanders was kind to his career, as he did not often perform, did not seek titles and sometimes fought in poor physical shape. Already in the first year as a professional, he spent five fights and won all.
Performances in the USA
In 1993, Corrie Sanders, whose biography is interesting to many today, was able to establish itself well in front of the picky American public. For six months he was able to win three times, and among his opponents were quite serious fighters, among whom even appeared Bert Cooper, who had been in battles at the time with Foreman, Bow, Mercer, Holyfield, Moorer.
First defeat
In early 1994, the South African defeated two more rivals. They started talking about him as a future contender for a world title. But in a battle with the straightforward and not too technical Nate Tubbs, he unexpectedly lost, and ahead of schedule. All the fault was the excessive pressure of Corry, who in one of his attacks got carried away and forgot about defense, having missed a strong blow towards.
Nevertheless, Sanders was able to rehabilitate, having subsequently spent a series of successful fights for himself and having proved his promise in the professional ring.
First belt
On November 15, 1997, a duel for the world title according to the WBU version took place. Opponent Corry was made by the most experienced American Ross Puritty.
The battle itself was, as predicted, dictated by the South African, who beat the opponent all twelve rounds, checking his jaw for strength. Puritty hoped that Corey would get tired and not be able to defend adequately. As a result, the victory went to Sanders with a judicial decision. Until the beginning of 2000, Corrie held only three defenses of his belt, entering the ring once a year.
Belt loss
On May 20, 2000, a former policeman defended his title in a fight against Hasim Rahman. The fight turned out to be very bright and spectacular. Sanders fought in his usual manner, forcing Rahman to withstand his onslaught. In the third round, Hasim was knocked down. Everything went to the point that the American was to lose, but the outcome of the battle was sad for Corry. In the seventh three-minute period after a lengthy, multi-impact attack from Rahman, the South African was knocked out.
The fight with the Ukrainian
On March 8, 2003, the Klitschko – Corrie Sanders match was held. From the very beginning of the battle, the challenger tried in every possible way to hit the champion with his favorite left kick. Such activity led to the fact that already in the first round, Vladimir was twice knocked down. The break did not allow the Ukrainian to fully regain his strength and in the second three-minute Sanders knocked him out. This victory was the most sensational event of the boxing world of that year.
Brother's revenge
April 24, 2004, Sanders had another test in the ring in the person of Vitali Klitschka. The first three rounds, Corry fought quite aggressively with the Ukrainian, but he showed maximum of his vigilance and accuracy. By the fourth three-minute it became obvious that Corrie very quickly loses strength and became slow. As a result, in the eighth round after a long beating, the South African lost by technical knockout.
End of life
After the defeat of Vitali Corrie Sanders, whose fights have always been very spectacular, he spent several more fights. But it became clear that this fighter had no prospects.
The death of the now legendary South African boxer occurred on September 22, 2012. On that day, he celebrated the birthday of his nephew in a restaurant in Pretoria. Robbers burst into the establishment and opened fire. Corry covered his daughter with his body and ordered her to pretend to be dead. One of the bandits' bullets hit Sanders in the stomach, and the second in the arm. He was taken to a hospital, where he died the next day.
Such was the tragic finale of the life of a famous man and former champion named Corrie Sanders. He was shot, as it turned out later, by three Zimbabwean citizens, who after some time were convicted and sentenced to 43 years in prison.