Corrie Sanders

Not to be confused with Corey "T-Rex" Sanders, another heavyweight boxer with a similar name..

Corrie Sanders
Statistics
Real name	Cornelius Johannes Sanders
Nickname(s)	The Sniper
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Reach	77 in (196 cm)
Nationality	South African
Born	(1966-01-07)7 January 1966 Brits, South Africa
Died	Pretoria, Gauteng Province, 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. In 2003 he became the WBO heavyweight champion when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko via second-round knockout, in what is considered one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history: The Ring magazine named it the upset of the year. A southpaw fighter with a long reach, Sanders was known for carrying devastating power in his straight left hand.

He died in a hospital in the early hours of 23 September 2012 after being shot during an armed robbery.

Professional career

Sanders began his boxing career with a first round knockout of King Kong Dyubele on 2 April 1989.

He won his first 23 bouts, 15 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, he 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.

Winning the WBO heavyweight title

Despite the fact that he had fought only three rounds in the last two years, the World Boxing Organization 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.

Losing a title shot against Vitali Klitschko

Sanders vacated the WBO title in December 2003 so that he could concentrate on a challenge for the vacant WBC belt. The fight took place on 24 April 2004, against Wladimir's older brother, Vitali. He was stopped by Vitali in the eighth round of a fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Eight months later, Sanders knocked out Alexei Varakin in the second round of a contest in Soelden, Austria on 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. The official time was 2:41 of round one. It took place in the Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa. His final record stands at 42-4 with 31 Knockouts.

Death

On 22 September 2012, Corrie Sanders was fatally shot in an armed robbery at a restaurant 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. Sanders' widow Suzette Sanders said Corrie died a hero, using his body to protect his daughter from oncoming bullets.

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.

On Thursday, 27 September 2012, following a tip-off, North West police arrested three men in the Oukasie informal settlement near Brits charging them with the murder of Sanders. All three are citizens of Zimbabwe. At the first location, two suspects were apprehended and police recovered a cellular phone, vehicle key, purse and cash stolen during the robbery in which Sanders was shot to death. Police then went to a second address and a third suspect was arrested, and recovered a handbag stolen in the robbery. 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.

On 11 February 2015, 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.

Professional boxing record

46 fights, 42 wins (31 knockouts), 4 losses (4 knockouts)
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	42–4	Osborne Machimana	TKO	1 (12)	2 February 2008	Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa	For South African Heavyweight title.
Win	42–3	Daniel Bispo	UD	10	12 May 2007	Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa	Sanders suffered an injury to his left hand in the first round.
Win	41–3	Colin Wilson	TKO	2 (10)	24 November 2006	Convention Centre, Mafikeng, North West, South Africa
Win	40–3	Alexey Varakin	KO	2 (8)	14 December 2004	Freizeit Arena, Soelden, Austria	Varakin down twice in both the 1st and 2nd round.
Loss	39–3	Vitali Klitschko	TKO	8 (12)	24 April 2004	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States	For vacant WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	39–2	Wladimir Klitschko	TKO	2 (12)	8 March 2003	Preussag Arena, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany	Won WBO Heavyweight title. Named The Ring magazine Upset of the Year for 2003. Klitschko down 4 times, twice in first 1, and twice in round 2.
Win	38–2	Otis Tisdale	TKO	2 (10)	9 November 2002	Coca-Cola Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win	37–2	Michael Sprott	TKO	1 (8)	3 November 2001	Carnival City, Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa
Loss	36–2	Hasim Rahman	TKO	7 (12)	20 May 2000	Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Lost WBU Heavyweight title.
Win	36–1	Alfred Cole	TKO	1 (12)	19 February 2000	Carnival City, Brakpan, Gauteng, South Africa	Retained WBU Heavyweight title.
Win	35–1	Jorge Valdes	TKO	1 (12)	2 July 1999	Whitchurch Leisure Centre, Bristol, Avon, England, United Kingdom	Retained WBU Heavyweight title.
Win	34–1	Bobby Czyz	TKO	2 (12)	12 June 1998	Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, United States	Retained WBU Heavyweight title.
Win	33–1	Ross Puritty	UD	12	15 November 1997	Carousel Hotel & Casino, Temba, North-West, South Africa	Won vacant WBU Heavyweight title.
Win	32–1	Arthur Weathers	TKO	1 (10)	7 February 1997	Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Both fighters down.
Win	31–1	Olian Alexander	TKO	2 (10)	12 September 1996	Huntington Hilton Hotel, Melville, New York, United States
Win	30–1	Sean Hart	TKO	2 (10)	20 August 1996	MSG Theater, New York, New York, United States
Win	29–1	Curtis Shepard	KO	1 (10)	20 July 1996	Morula Sun, Mabopane, North-West, South Africa
Win	28–1	Keith Fletcher	KO	4 (10)	26 January 1996	Brighton, Sussex, England, United Kingdom
Win	27–1	James Pritchard	TKO	4 (10)	5 August 1995	Lujan Building, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Win	26–1	Nikolay Kulpin	UD	10	1 April 1995	Superbowl, Sun City, North-West, South Africa
Win	25–1	Garing Lane	PTS	8	24 September 1994	Wembley, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom
Win	24–1	Carlos De Leon	TKO	1 (10)	13 August 1994	Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss	23–1	Nate Tubbs	TKO	2 (10)	21 May 1994	Carousel Hotel & Casino, Temba, North-West, South Africa
Win	23–0	Mike Williams	KO	1 (10)	19 March 1994	Carousel Hotel & Casino, Temba, North-West, South Africa
Win	22–0	Marshall Tillman	TKO	6 (10)	5 February 1994	The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	21–0	Levi Billups	KO	1 (10)	6 November 1993	Superbowl, Sun City, North-West, South Africa
Win	20–0	George Stephens	TKO	1 (10)	4 September 1993	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	19–0	Bert Cooper	TKO	3 (10)	6 June 1993	Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	18–0	Matthew Brooks	TKO	1 (10)	17 April 1993	Arco Arena, Sacramento, California, United States
Win	17–0	Johnny Nelson	UD	10	24 October 1992	Morula Sun, Mabopane, North-West, South Africa
Win	16–0	Mike Evans	UD	10	22 August 1992	Superbowl, Sun City, North-West, South Africa
Win	15–0	Mike Dixon	PTS	8	9 May 1992	Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	14–0	Anthony Wade	UD	10	22 February 1992	Superbowl, Sun City, North-West, South Africa
Win	13–0	Art Card	TKO	1 (10)	23 November 1991	Superbowl, Sun City, North-West, South Africa
Win	12–0	Mike Rouse	UD	10	28 September 1991	Superbowl, Sun City, North-West, South Africa
Win	11–0	Johnny DuPlooy	KO	1 (12)	27 July 1991	Superbowl, Sun City, North-West, South Africa	Won vacant South African Heavyweight title.
Win	10–0	Steve Gee	TKO	4 (8)	6 April 1991	Dolphin Centre, Darlington, County Durham, England, United Kingdom
Win	9–0	Steve Zouski	UD	8	8 November 1990	Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Win	8–0	Moses Mthama	TKO	1 (6)	4 August 1990	Superbowl, Sun City, North-West, South Africa
Win	7–0	Jorge Vilchis	KO	1 (8)	23 May 1990	First National Bank Arena, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Win	6–0	Weaver Qwabe	TKO	1 (8)	29 March 1990	Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Win	5–0	Samson Mahlangu	TKO	3 (6)	9 September 1989	Morula Sun, Mabopane, North-West, South Africa
Win	4–0	Gideon Hlongwa	TKO	3 (6)	5 August 1989	Superbowl, Sun City, North-West, South Africa
Win	3–0	David Malatsi	TKO	1 (4)	27 May 1989	Superbowl, Sun City, North-West, South Africa
Win	2–0	Prince Tukane	PTS	4	24 April 1989	Goodwood Showgrounds, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Win	1–0	King Kong Dyubele	TKO	1 (4)	2 April 1989	Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa	Professional debut.

External links

• Professional boxing record for Corrie Sanders from BoxRec
• Official website
• Telegraph obituary

Preceded by Wladimir Klitschko

WBO World Heavyweight champion 8 March 2003 - December 2003 (vacated belt)

Succeeded by Lamon Brewster