Tragic: Corrie Sanders |
CORRIE SANDERS, the man who stunned the boxing world when he
defeated Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBO heavyweight title in 2003, died this
morning in hospital after being shot at his nephew’s 21st birthday
party.
The death of one of South Africa’s most popular sportsmen, aged
46, rocked the nation on Sunday morning as news of his death spread through the
social networks.
He was the victim of a random shooting when three armed men
raided the restaurant at Thatch Haven Country Lodge, just off Carel de Wet Road
near Brits outside Pretoria. Latest reports suggest he was shot when he stood up to protect his family. Sanders died this morning after emergency surgery at Kalafong
Hospital this morning.
An eye-witness, who wishes to remain anonymous, told me this
morning: “Corrie was just in the wrong place at
the wrong time. They shot him in the stomach. There was also a wound in his
arm. I’m not sure if it was all from the same bullet.”
His wife Sunette told reporters later: "I think he died a hero. He went to protect his girl because there were shots." She also said the robbers were "kicking and slapping people" as they entered the restaurant.
His wife Sunette told reporters later: "I think he died a hero. He went to protect his girl because there were shots." She also said the robbers were "kicking and slapping people" as they entered the restaurant.
As tributes to the fallen champion flooded Twitter, my eye-witness, a close friend of the family, said: “We were at Thatch Haven near Brits to celebrate with Corrie’s
brother Mike. His son, also Mike, is 21 next week.
“There were 48 people at the restaurant, it’s just off the
main road. We arrived at around 4pm on Saturday. At about 6pm, as it was
getting dark, Mike gave a speech. Then the grandfather stood up and offered a
prayer.
“That’s when we heard three or four shots. At first we
thought it was the kids playing around. Then we realised it was serious.
“There were three of them. Armed with pistols. They were
telling everyone to lie down and give them their wallets and mobile phones.
They didn’t take much. They were working their way through the room when a car
alarm went off outside and they panicked and ran.
“Corrie was the only one shot. He didn’t try anything heroic
as far as I could see. He was just in the wrong place, by the entrance. They
shot him through the stomach and I also saw a wound in his arm, it might have been
from the same bullet, which went right through him.
"I think they shot him as a lesson to the rest of us, to say they were serious.
"I think they shot him as a lesson to the rest of us, to say they were serious.
“We called the ambulance. The NetCare people were very good,
even though Corrie didn’t have any medical insurance. They operated in the
hospital, but he died early this morning.
“I would say this. The function was not advertised anywhere.
How did they know what was going on? Some people say security had been speaking
to these men earlier. We are all still in shock. I don’t want to be quoted on
this. It’s too awful.”
Cornelius Johannes Sanders was born on January 7, 1966 in
Pretoria. He began fighting in 1989, aged 23 and won his first 23 professional
bouts, 15 of them knock-outs.
Among his victims: future WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny
Nelson and future world title challenger Bert Cooper. Despite his first defeat
in 1994 against Nate Tubbs - a second round knockout – he went on to beat
former world cruiserweight champion Carlos De León with a first round knock-out
and a second round knockout over another former world champion, Bobby Czyz.
Defeat against future heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman - controversially - saw southpaw Sanders gain a reputation for vulnerability.
But that all changed a year later. After fighting three rounds in two years, he
gained was given a surprise tilt at the world heavyweight title against
Klitschko in Hanover, Gemany, on 8 March 2003 after Danny Williams withdrew at the last minute.
Against all the odds, he put the huge Ukrainian down four
times and won on a second-round knock-out to take Wladimir’s WBO belt.
Corrie took on big brother Vitali Klitschko in an attempt to
grab the vacant WBC heavyweight crown on April 24, 2004, at Staples Centre in
Los Angeles but was stopped in the eighth round.
Sanders never quite recovered his world title form and after a series of retirements finally gave up boxing with a record of
42 fights, four defeats and 31 knock-outs.
Interviewed by the Sunday Tribune’s Lungami Zami at a golf
day earlier this month, Sanders said: “I thought that I could have gone for a
shot at a world title much earlier. I always felt that my promoter, Rodney
Berman, kept me wrapped in cotton-wool for too long, and by the time I got my
shot, I was already 38.
“I do motivational talks and things like that at schools and
in companies, and I must say that it always makes me very proud to go out and
meet all the great people in this wonderful country of ours.
“I loved this country too much to move to the US like other
boxers. It might sound strange, but I felt I had more black fans than white. I
think the two big sports in the black community are boxing and soccer, and
whenever I was out and about, they would stop me and want to chat. That was
always very humbling.
“Being based here was a bit easier in that sense, because
being a boxer is not easy on your family. My wife watched only a few of my
fights live, and preferred to tape them, and then watch them once she knew what
the result was.”
“I was blessed to have the family I have, and even though my
kids were really young during my career, they have a lot of memories to fall
back on."
Sanders played golf of a handicap of just three and said: “I’m
a member at Pecanwood, as well as the Els Club. Golf was something I did to
relax, and I got down to a one and scratch at a point, but these days it’s not
as consistent.”
And on his monumental upset against Klitschko, Sanders said:
“My mate, Naas Botha, always says to me that whatever happens in life, no one
can ever take that away from me.
“A few people have come together and there is a proper gym
being built in Midstream. When it opens, I will be in there, trying to help
find our next world champion.”
Tributes to a much-loved South African sporting hero poured
in with Springbok rugby player Breyton Paulse twittering: “Gone too soon,” and
Olympic gold medallist Cameron van der Burg adding: “Rest in peace Corrie. A
champion of the world.”
Former Springbok captain John Smit tweeted:
"Just woke up to news of Corrie Sanders having been murdered last night,
what another senseless waste of life in SA. RIP Champion."
Former Proteas cricketer Pat Symcox said: "Feel sick to
the core. Just so damn angry over Corrie's murder. A helpless feeling and one
that wants to scream out." Former captain Shaun Pollock twittered: "Tragic
news about Corrie Sanders. My thoughts are with his family. RIP."
Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates star Mark Fish
said: "So sad to hear about the tragic death of SA boxing great and a true
gentleman Corrie Sanders. Condolences to all his family."
Sports reporter David Isaacson said: "Harold Volbrecht
had a small gym, Corrie and Msukisi Sikali were stable-mates and world champs
together. Both murdered. Shocking."
Radio presenter Darren Scott pulled no punches. He tweeted:
"To the sons of bitches who murdered my friend Corrie Sanders. I hope you
fucking rot in hell."
- the gentle giant - I will always remember from my school days.
ReplyDeleteSad sad day for boxing. RIP Champ
ReplyDeleteI hope these idiots rot in hell. When caught we shud put put a price on there heads... dead or alive.
ReplyDeleteCorrie you were a legend and true gentleman. RIP.
Thanks for your comments. Vriki... can you tell us more?
ReplyDeletesmells like a hit to me. why would the robbers steal a cellphone (probably worth peanuts) and a bag (likely to contain items worth peanuts) and then just shoot randomly (with corrie being the 'unlucky' victim)?
ReplyDeleteYup, Mr Sausage, the thought crossed my mind. Golf at Pecanwood Estate? Some of the tributes on twitter? And only a world heavyweight champion shot? Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to be a dick about my allegations .. but in cases like this there's usually more to it than what we actually see and know.
ReplyDeleteAs you say 'time will tell' if this was planned or just a tragic incident.
One thing to note though is that there are a lot more unsecure social venues in that area ... so its a hell of a surprise that the robbers didn't chose any of the easier targets instead.
Attention niceandlovelysausage
ReplyDeleteYour presence is required on my braai stand.
That is all
Neal, stop this blogging nonsense and come massage mama's feet.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog yyou have
ReplyDelete