Corrie Sanders

Biography

Corrie Sanders was a talented and respected South African professional boxer who significantly impacted the heavyweight division during his career. Born on January 7, 1966, in Brits, South Africa, Sanders grew up playing various sports, including rugby, cricket, and golf, before his uncle introduced him to boxing.

As an amateur, Sanders had an impressive record of 180 wins and 11 losses, winning the South African heavyweight title four times between 1985 and 1988. He turned professional in 1989 and quickly made a name for himself with his mighty left hand and knockout ability.

Sanders faced many notable opponents throughout his professional career, including wins over former cruiserweight champions Johnny Nelson, Carlos de Leon, Bobby Czyz, and Al Cole. He also had a memorable slugfest with future heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, which he lost by a seventh-round stoppage despite being ahead on the scorecards.

Sanders' defining moment came on March 8, 2003, when he challenged Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO heavyweight title in Hanover, Germany. Despite being a 40-1 underdog, Sanders scored a stunning upset, knocking Klitschko down four times en route to a second-round knockout victory. This win earned him The Ring magazine's Upset of the Year award for 2003.

After vacating the WBO title, Sanders challenged Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir's older brother, for the vacant WBC and Ring heavyweight titles in April 2004. Despite a valiant effort, Vitali stopped Sanders in the eighth round.

Sanders briefly retired after a win in December 2004 but returned to the ring in 2006. He won two more fights before losing his final bout for the South African heavyweight title to Osborne Machimana in 2008. Sanders retired with a professional record of 42 wins (31 by knockout) and 4 losses.

Tragically, on September 22, 2012, Sanders was shot during an armed robbery at a restaurant in Brits while celebrating his nephew's 21st birthday. He heroically shielded his daughter from the bullets but succumbed to his wounds in the early hours of September 23, 2012. Three men were later arrested and sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in the crime.

Corrie Sanders will be remembered as a powerful southpaw with a formidable knockout punch who defeated Wladimir Klitschko in one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history. His untimely death was a tragic loss for his family, friends, and the boxing community, but his legacy as a talented and courageous fighter will endure.