Corrie Sanders

Corrie Sanders
Statistics
Real name	Cornelius Johannes Sanders
Nickname(s)	The Sniper
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Reach	196 cm (77 in)
Nationality	South African
Born	(1966-01-07)7 January 1966 Brits, North West, South Africa
Died	23 September 2012(2012-09-23) (aged 46) Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	46
Wins	42
Wins by KO	31
Losses	4

Cornelius Johannes "Corrie" Sanders (7 January 1966 – 23 September 2012) was a South African professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2008. He won the WBO heavyweight title in 2003 after knocking out Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds, which was considered one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history; The Ring magazine named it the Upset of the Year. In 2004, having vacated the WBO title, Sanders faced Wladimir's brother Vitali Klitschko in an unsuccessful but valiant challenge for the vacant WBC and Ring heavyweight titles. He also held the WBU heavyweight title from 1997 until 2000. Sanders' other notable achievements include holding the South Africa national heavyweight title in 1991, defeating former cruiserweight champions Carlos de León and Bobby Czyz by first round and second-round knockout respectively, and losing in a close slugfest fight with future unified and two-time world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman (Rahman and Sanders both knocked each other down during the bout, and Sanders was ahead on the judges' scorecards prior to the stoppage).

Nicknamed The Sniper, Sanders was a southpaw with a long reach, and was known for carrying formidable knockout power in his straight left hand.^[1] Wladimir Klitschko labeled Sanders the hardest puncher he ever faced in a December 2014 interview with Ring magazine, saying: "I’ve been in boxing for 25 years and I never fought anybody in this game that punched like Corrie Sanders."^[2] Hasim Rahman said of Sanders following their match: "I've never been hit that hard in my life."^[3]

He died in a hospital in the early hours of 23 September 2012^[4] after being shot during an armed robbery.^[5][6]

Early life and amateur career[]

Sanders grew up in Brits, South Africa, and was of Afrikaner descent. Having been introduced to boxing by his uncle, Sanders finished his amateur career in the late 1980s with 180 wins and 11 losses.^[7]

Professional career[]

Sanders made his professional debut in 1989 with a first-round knockout of King Kong Dyubele on 2 April 1989. He went on to win his next 22 bouts, 14 by knockout. Among the fighters he defeated during that streak were Steve Zouski, Art Card, future WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson, and future world title challenger Bert Cooper. In his 24th bout, on 21 May 1994, Sanders suffered his first defeat, at the hands of Nate Tubbs via a second-round knockout.

He fought 12 more times over the next five years, including a first-round knockout over former world cruiserweight champion Carlos De León and a second-round knockout over another former world champion, Bobby Czyz. A stoppage loss to future heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman in a bout Sanders was winning confirmed his ability and also his vulnerability. Returning to the ring in 2001 he scored a quick win over Michael Sprott and then followed this up with a defeat of Otis Tisdale in 2002. Corrie Sanders' biggest weapons were his southpaw fast hands that he used to knock fighters out early.

WBO heavyweight champion[]

Despite the fact that he had fought only three rounds in the last two years, the WBO sanctioned a challenge to their heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. On 8 March 2003, Sanders provided a stunning upset in Hanover, Germany, by dropping Klitschko four times to snatch the Ukrainian's belt by a second-round knockout.

WBC heavyweight title challenge[]

Sanders vacated the WBO title in December 2003 after refusing to fight the organization's No.1 contender Lamon Brewster.^[8] He then signed a contract to fight for the vacant WBC belt. The fight took place on 24 April 2004, against Wladimir's older brother, Vitali. Sanders was stopped by Vitali in the eighth round of the fight in the Staples Center in Los Angeles. After Sanders death, Vitali went on to pay his respects to Sanders by calling this the hardest fight of his career.

Eight months later, Sanders knocked out Alexei Varakin in the second round of a contest in Soelden, Austria in December 2004. He briefly retired after that bout.

Sanders returned to action after two years in November 2006 to score a second round stoppage win over the Australian heavyweight champion Colin Wilson at the Convention Centre in Mafikeng. He had signed with Golden Gloves Promotions, and won another bout in South Africa against Brazilian Daniel Bispo in May 2007. His last bout, of the South African heavyweight title, was a loss to Osborne Machimana, a bout he took despite being injured beforehand. Sanders' final record was 42 wins (31 by knockout) and 4 losses.

Death[]

On 22 September 2012, Corrie Sanders was fatally shot in an armed robbery at a restaurant called Thatch Haven in Brits, South Africa, where a function was being held for his nephew's 21st birthday. Sanders was taken to a hospital in Pretoria, where he died in the early hours of 23 September 2012 of his wounds.^[9] Sanders' widow, Suzette Sanders, said Corrie died a hero, using his body to protect his daughter from oncoming bullets.^[10]

Sanders had been near the entrance of the restaurant talking to his daughter Marinique and a cousin when three robbers entered firing their guns, striking Sanders in the stomach and arm as he moved in front of his daughter to protect her. Sanders was already bleeding from his wounds when he pulled her to the ground and told her to pretend she was dead.^[11]

On 27 September 2012, following a tip-off, North West police arrested three men in Oukasie near Brits charging them with the murder of Sanders. All three are citizens of Zimbabwe.^[11] At the first location, two suspects were apprehended and police recovered a cellular phone, vehicle key, purse and cash stolen during the robbery. Police then went to a second address and a third suspect was arrested, and recovered a handbag stolen in the robbery.^[12] The trial was initially postponed until August 2013 as investigators attempted to locate the gun used in the crime based on the fourth suspect involved, who is currently serving a 30-year sentence in Zimbabwe for killing a police officer.^[13]

On 11 February 2015, a High Court in Pretoria Judge Ferdi Preller sentenced Paida Fish, Chris Moyo and Samuel Mabena each to 43 years imprisonment, of which they have to serve 30, on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.^[11]

Professional boxing record[]

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
46	Loss	42–4	Osborne Machimana	TKO	1 (12), 2:41	2 Feb 2008	Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa	For South African heavyweight title
45	Win	42–3	Daniel Bispo	UD	10	12 May 2007	Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa
44	Win	41–3	Colin Wilson	TKO	2 (10)	24 Nov 2006	Convention Centre, Mafikeng, South Africa
43	Win	40–3	Alexey Varakin	KO	2 (8), 1:59	14 Dec 2004	Schwarzl Freizeit Zentrum, Sölden, Austria
42	Loss	39–3	Vitali Klitschko	TKO	8 (12), 2:46	24 Apr 2004	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, US	For vacant WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles
41	Win	39–2	Wladimir Klitschko	TKO	2 (12), 0:27	8 Mar 2003	Preussag Arena, Hanover, Germany	Won WBO heavyweight title
40	Win	38–2	Otis Tisdale	TKO	2 (10), 1:40	9 Nov 2002	Coca-Cola Bricktown Events Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
39	Win	37–2	Michael Sprott	TKO	1 (8), 1:25	3 Nov 2001	Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa
38	Loss	36–2	Hasim Rahman	TKO	7 (12), 1:50	20 May 2000	Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US	Lost WBU heavyweight title
37	Win	36–1	Al Cole	TKO	1 (12), 1:13	19 Feb 2000	Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa	Retained WBU heavyweight title
36	Win	35–1	Jorge Valdes	TKO	1 (12), 0:30	2 Jul 1999	Whitchurch Leisure Centre, Bristol, England	Retained WBU heavyweight title
35	Win	34–1	Bobby Czyz	TKO	2 (12), 1:43	12 Jun 1998	Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US	Retained WBU heavyweight title
34	Win	33–1	Ross Puritty	UD	12	15 Nov 1997	Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa	Won vacant WBU heavyweight title
33	Win	32–1	Arthur Weathers	TKO	1 (10), 1:37	7 Feb 1997	Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, US
32	Win	31–1	Olian Alexander	TKO	2 (10)	12 Sep 1996	Hilton, Huntington, New York, US
31	Win	30–1	Sean Hart	TKO	2 (10), 1:18	20 Aug 1996	The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
30	Win	29–1	Curtis Shepard	KO	1 (10), 1:12	20 Jul 1996	Morula Sun, Mabopane, South Africa
29	Win	28–1	Keith Fletcher	KO	4 (10), 1:16	26 Jan 1996	Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton, England
28	Win	27–1	James Pritchard	TKO	4 (10)	5 Aug 1995	Manuel Lujan Building, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
27	Win	26–1	Nikolay Kulpin	UD	10	1 Apr 1995	Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
26	Win	25–1	Garing Lane	PTS	8	24 Sep 1994	Wembley Arena, London, England
25	Win	24–1	Carlos de León	TKO	1 (10), 0:49	13 Aug 1994	Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
24	Loss	23–1	Nate Tubbs	KO	2 (10), 1:26	21 May 1994	Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa
23	Win	23–0	Mike Williams	KO	1 (10), 2:58	19 Mar 1994	Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa
22	Win	22–0	Marshall Tillman	TKO	6 (10)	5 Feb 1994	The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, US
21	Win	21–0	Levi Billups	KO	1 (10)	6 Nov 1993	Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
20	Win	20–0	George Stephens	TKO	1 (10)	4 Sep 1993	The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, US
19	Win	19–0	Bert Cooper	TKO	3 (10), 1:26	6 Jun 1993	Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
18	Win	18–0	Matthew Brooks	TKO	1 (10), 2:00	17 Apr 1993	ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, US
17	Win	17–0	Johnny Nelson	UD	10	24 Oct 1992	Morula Sun, Mabopane, South Africa
16	Win	16–0	Mike Evans	UD	10	22 Aug 1992	Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
15	Win	15–0	Mike Dixon	PTS	8	9 May 1992	The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, US
14	Win	14–0	Anthony Wade	UD	10	22 Feb 1992	Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
13	Win	13–0	Art Card	TKO	1 (10)	23 Nov 1991	Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
12	Win	12–0	Mike Rouse	UD	10	28 Sep 1991	Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
11	Win	11–0	Johnny DuPlooy	KO	1 (12)	27 Jul 1991	Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa	Won vacant South African heavyweight title
10	Win	10–0	Steve Gee	TKO	4 (8), 1:05	6 Apr 1991	Dolphin Centre, Darlington, England
9	Win	9–0	Steve Zouski	UD	8	8 Nov 1990	Biloxi, Mississippi, US
8	Win	8–0	Moses Mthama	TKO	1 (6)	4 Aug 1990	Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
7	Win	7–0	Jorge Vilchis	KO	1 (8)	23 May 1990	First National Bank Arena, Durban, South Africa
6	Win	6–0	Weaver Qwabe	TKO	1 (8)	29 Mar 1990	Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
5	Win	5–0	Samson Mahlangu	TKO	3 (6), 2:20	9 Sept 1989	Morula Sun, Mabopane, South Africa
4	Win	4–0	Gideon Hlongwa	TKO	3 (6), 2:15	5 Aug 1989	Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
3	Win	3–0	David Malatsi	TKO	1 (4)	27 May 1989	Superbowl, Sun City, South Africa
2	Win	2–0	Prince Tukane	PTS	4	24 Apr 1989	Goodwood Showgrounds, Cape Town, South Africa
1	Win	1–0	King Kong Dyubele	TKO	1 (4)	2 Apr 1989	Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, South Africa

References[]

External links[]

• Boxing record for Corrie Sanders from BoxRec
• Corrie Sanders obituary at The Daily Telegraph