Gerrie Coetzee Biography: Age, Net Worth, Instagram, Spouse, Height, Wiki, Parents, Siblings, Awards, Death

Gerrie Coetzee was a South African professional boxer who gained prominence in the late 20th century.

Born Gerhardus Christian Coetzee on April 8, 1955, in Boksburg, South Africa, he became the first African to win a world heavyweight championship.

Coetzee’s rise to fame was marked by his victory over Michael Dokes in 1983, where he won the WBA heavyweight title.

Known for his powerful right hand, nicknamed “The Bionic Hand” due to multiple surgeries, Coetzee’s career was defined by his resilience and skill in the ring.

Profile

• – Full name: Gerhardus Christian Coetzee
• – Nickname: Gerrie Coetzee, The Bionic Hand
• – Date of birth: April 8, 1955
• – Age as of 2024: Deceased (would be 69 years old)
• – Gender: Male
• – Place of birth: Boksburg, South Africa
• – Nationality: South African
• – Profession: Professional Boxer
• – Height: 6 feet 4 inches
• – Parents: Flip Coetzee (father)
• – Siblings: Three (names not available)
• – Spouse: Rina Coetzee
• – Children: Lana Coetzee and Gerard Coetzee
• – Relationship status: Married
• – Religion: N/A
• – Ethnicity: Caucasian
• – Net worth: $7 million

Early Life and Education

Gerrie Coetzee, who is now posthumously 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, training under his father.

Coetzee’s early life was marked by the challenges of growing up during apartheid, yet he found solace and purpose in sports, particularly boxing. He attended local schools in Boksburg, but detailed information about his higher education or any specific degree is unavailable.

Personal Life

Gerrie Coetzee married Rina Coetzee, and their relationship was a significant part of his life. They met through mutual friends and shared a deep bond.

Despite the pressures and challenges of a career in professional boxing, Gerrie and Rina maintained a strong relationship. The couple had two children, Lana and Gerard Coetzee.

Career

Gerrie Coetzee began his professional boxing career in 1974. He quickly made a name for himself with his formidable punching power and strategic approach in the ring.

In 1983, Coetzee achieved his most significant career milestone by winning the WBA heavyweight title, making him the first African world champion. His victory over Michael Dokes was notable for its dramatic knockout in the tenth round.

However, Coetzee’s career was frequently interrupted by injuries, particularly to his right hand, which earned him the nickname “The Bionic 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.

Awards

• – WBA Heavyweight Champion (1983-1984)
• – KO Magazine’s “Upset of The Year” (1983) for his victory over Michael Dokes

Net Worth

Gerrie Coetzee’s net worth was estimated at around $7 million. His wealth was primarily accumulated through his career as a professional boxer, including purses from fights and possible endorsements.

Death

Gerrie Coetzee passed away on January 12, 2023, at 67. He died from complications related to cancer.

Controversy

Throughout his career, Gerrie Coetzee faced various controversies and challenges, many of which were intertwined with the socio-political climate of South Africa during apartheid. One significant controversy was his stance on racial segregation. Despite being a white South African, Coetzee was vocal about his opposition to apartheid.

He often expressed his desire to see sports, including boxing, become more inclusive. This stance won him admiration from anti-apartheid activists, including Nelson Mandela, but also brought him into conflict with certain factions within his community and the South African government.

Another major controversy in Coetzee’s career was related to his management and promotional disputes. Throughout the 1980s, Coetzee had several public disagreements with his promoters, particularly with the infamous boxing promoter Don King.

These disputes often concern financial issues, including unpaid earnings and contractual disagreements. Coetzee’s relationship with King was fraught with tension, culminating in several legal battles that affected his career trajectory.

In addition, Coetzee’s career was marred by frequent injuries, particularly to his right hand, which required numerous surgeries. His repeated hand injuries led to rumours and controversies about his ability to continue competing at a high level.

Critics often questioned his durability and speculated his potential to win against top-tier opponents. Despite these setbacks, Coetzee maintained his position as a formidable competitor, proving his critics wrong with several notable victories.

One of the more personal controversies involved his fight against Renaldo Snipes in 1980, where he lost a controversial decision that many boxing analysts and fans deemed unfair.

The scoring system, which awarded rounds rather than points, worked against Coetzee despite his dominant performance and knockdowns. This decision was widely criticized and is often cited as one of the worst judging decisions in boxing history.

Moreover, Coetzee’s attempts at unification bouts, particularly with Larry Holmes, were surrounded by controversy. Financial and contractual disagreements and Coetzee’s recurring hand injuries prevented these high-profile matches from materializing, disappointing fans and boxing pundits alike.

Social Media

• – Instagram: N/A
• – Twitter: N/A