Kalli Knoetzee vs Earnie Shavers (WBA Title)

A 50/50 one. Short but oh so sweet.

 

On Bill Sharkey vs. Kallie Knoetzee in January 1979,,,

Bill Sharkey was not the primary fighter to face Knoetzee,
he was a replacement.

I'm not sure who it was, but Don King threatened to destroy any
black fighter who fought Kallie.

Both Scott LeDoux and a re-match with Duane Bobick were in the mix
for the bout in Florida.

As for Bill Sharkey, really a decent 195 lb. fighter. He came along a tad to early
for the Cruiserweights.

Now Bill Sharkey versus Leon Spinks, that would have been an evenly matched
bout.

 

Here is the January 1979 article,,,,,,,

Jesse Jackson Promises To Picket If South African Bout Goes On

PUSH President Jesse Jackson has promised 'to be on the picket lines myself'
if his appeals to CBS Sports do not succeed in preventing the United States
debut of Kallie Knoetzee, a heavyweight boxer who is meeting opposition because
of his record as a South African Police Officer.

Jackson said, 'Knoetzee represents the very worst in South African racial
conditions, a White Cop who shoots Black Kids. This country should not be
a sanctuary for him.'

Madison Square Garden in New York City is co-promoter of the bout with Chris Dundee,
Miami's leading promoter. CBS Sports is paying $100,000 for the rights to
televise the bout live on January 13th.

Jackson said, 'heavy concentration' of picketing would be at the Miami Convention
Hall. Knoetzee, one of the top heavyweight contenders for the title will be facing
Howard Smith of California. Smith, who is black, has not been reached for
comment.

Note; California Heavyweight, Howard Smith has a record of 17-2-1 (10 KO's).
He has not fought since August 1977 (17 months ago). He was expected
to make a return to the ring for this bout.

Note: CBS Sports, has put a call-out for several other heavyweights who could
be available on short notice for the bout. Bill Sharkey of New York and
Scott LeDoux of Minnesota are on the 'short list'.

 

I’ll say one thing for Kalli
Based on the form he showed vs Coetzee as a 23 yr old...damm impressive raw material IMHO.
Had he come stateside years before as a lad and got developed by one of the old masters.
Learned to fight vs sparring partners who were likewise masters.
Slow steady build up opponent wise.
Under those circumstances he mighta turned the trick on Big John Tate…..seriously.

 

Oh yeah.

That diamond definately needed polishing. But the guy was a brawler of the first order & some folks thought he was a Bonavena but with ko power in both hands. His 1 punch ko of Schutte with that left hook is more impressive than any other heavyweight ko's in that timeframe. You didn't have a ton of brutal ko's in that 77-79 era and that's is good as it got.

He was quite successful as a pro rugby player and then took up boxing. He kept getting better and better but the bout that may have helped him the most did not happen---78 Frazier comeback fight Joe pulled out of.
Maybe then he moves to America or at the least, gets Arum or someone interested & you see a different trainer and some refinement because promoters would see future big $$$ with the guy. A rematch w/ Coetzee may have sold over 100,000 tickets in that 78-80 timeframe.

 

I always saw Kallie as a rough-n-raw brawler, with 'super-power' in his fists.

Unfortunately, he never developed any of the much required boxing skills or
stamina that is required to be a 'Top Heavyweight'.

John Tate exposed him,,,,

Was Kallie over-rated, by his shocking performance over Duane Bobick and
steam-rolling domination over Bill Sharkey. Those are the only 'highlighted wins'
of his 'short-lived top rated fighting period'.

 

good verbiage raw material, I think Coetzee and Kalli were excellent raw material, strong strong Dutchman....Coetzee got Jackie McCoy late and Jackie worked wonders but had he gotten him early it may have made a great difference. Kalli was a strong, rugged guy...he went in with a polished Tate and tired early but remember big John was on a high and that high lasted to outboxing Mike Weaver for 14 rounds but a right hand left hook ruined in in the 15th round...had that been today Big John would have walked out of the ring victorious...If Kalli had a Charlie Goldman or a Ray Arcel even a Cus Da'mato may have been a different fighter

 

big earnie man that guy could bang

 

Im just noticing now he fought Coetzee as an EIGHT MONTH PRO!!
DIAMOND IN THE RUFF

 

They had an amateur rivalry and were 3-3. I think those were 3 of the 5 or 6 bouts Gerrie lost as an amateur and won like 180 or 190 fights. the first time he was ever off his feet was the Weaver ko.

as for Knoetze, He was a pro rugby player. He quit during the season to pursue boxing and actually lost his first 13 fights. That is some hole to crawl back from. How many have the dedication to do that? But he improved and got better and turned pro.

Oh yeah--Have you seen that Coetzee-Schutte 2 fight? The one where both guys are kicking each other? It was as dirty as a fight as I've ever seen. How it wasn't a dq is incredible. It was brutal like a 12 round hockey fight. And both guys were kicking the legs of the other and it made Wepner look like Floyd mayweather & I thought he was about the dirtiest fighter I'd ever seen.

 

so he was never stopped as n am ? who did he fight there except from Knoetzee ?

do u know who Knoetzee fight as n am aside from Coetzee ?
and also , how did d Coetzee vs Knoetzee rivalry went stoppage and knockdownwise ?

as long as it's mutual y not ?

Floyd mayweather is a dirty fighter .

 

Kallie Knoetzee will never be regarded as the most respectful fighter in the ring,
in following the rules.

He could be called 'a bully',,,,, but I wouldn't go as far as to call him 'dirty'.