Boxer Gerrie Coetzee won the WBA title on his third attempt — TimesLIVE
On September 23, 1983, in Richfield, Ohio, USA, South African boxer Gerrie Coetzee knocked out American Michael Dokes in the 10th round and won the WBA world heavyweight title. For the athlete nicknamed the Bomber from Boksburg, it was his third attempt to win the belt.
As TimesLIVE reports, Coetzee had previously lost on points to John Tate in a 1979 title fight, and in 1980 he lost to Mike Weaver by knockout.
Other sporting events on September 23
In 2000, Ian Holness hit two home runs and helped Daryll Gonsalves score a run in South Africa's game against the Netherlands at the Sydney Olympics. The South African team won 3-2 — its only victory at the tournament. A few days earlier, the Netherlands had sensationally defeated Cuba, the future Olympic silver medalist.
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In 2001, Herschelle Gibbs scored 125 runs off 112 balls in the first ODI against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. South Africa posted 363/3, while the hosts replied with 210/5, losing by 153 runs. On the same day, Zolani Petelo lost to Mexican Ricardo Lopez in a fight for the IBF light flyweight title, remaining on the canvas during the count in the eighth round.
Canoeing, motorsport and rugby
In 2006, Sean Rubenstein won gold at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Tremolat, France, winning the men's K1 in a time of 2 hours 33 minutes 35 seconds. He finished one second ahead of Spaniards Manuel Busto Fernandez and Emilio Merchan Alonso.
In 2012, Simon van Gysen and Jasper Moké won bronze in the men's K2 at the ICF World Championships in Rome. In 2018, Brad Binder won the Aragon Grand Prix in Spain — it was his second triumph in the Moto2 class. And in 2023, South Africa's rugby team lost 8-13 to Ireland in a Rugby World Cup group-stage match at the Stade de France; Cheslin Kolbe scored South Africa's only try.
