Big John Tate

June 1979

'Big John Tate Demolishes Kallie Knoetze in South Africa'

In a bout that many people feel shouldn't have taken place at all,
'Big' John Tate, a Black American Heavyweight, made 'mincemeat' out of
the 'Fighting Policeman' South African Kallie Knoetzee.

The 24 year-old Tate, who weighed in at 233 lbs. and hails from Knoxville, Tennessee,
saw the bout end in the 8th round, when a bloodied and
battered Kallie Knoetzee was saved by the referee.

In upping his record to 19-0-0, 'Big John' disposed of his foe in the
latter's home country. Despite heavyweights, Earnie Shavers, Ken Norton,
Ron Lyle and Leon Spinks, and the rest, the 225 lb. Knoetzee was the
WBA's #1 Ranked Heavyweight.

Knoetzee fell to 17-3-0, and will probably drop to the bottom half of the
Top 10 rankings. Tate, who was Ranked #3 by the WBA prior to this bout,
will undoubtedly move up. The 'big' Knoxville heavyweight is hoping for a
shot at the vacant WBA Championship within the year.
Most likely versus the winner of the upcoming Leon Spinks vs Gerrie Coetzee bout.

Don King, boxing's premier promoter, said, "I'm extremely disappointed.
No one else but me has been totally against our providing a pay-day for
Kallie Knoetzee. The WBC will not recognize any South African fighters
because of aprtheid, and neither will I."

'Big John' is in negotiations for an August 1979 bout with former heavyweight champion,
come-backing 'Smokin Joe' Frazier. A California promoter has offered Tate $250,000
to face Joe Frazier in Los Angeles. Tate said he will fight Joe Frazier, if the fight for the
WBA Championship is delayed.

Tate commented, 'I consider Joe Frazier nothing more than a tune-up fight.
Nothing more than keeping me sharp for Coetzee or Spinks. If I lose to
an old Joe Frazier, than I have no business being in the boxing profession.'

Tate, also knocked-out #6 WBA Rated Duane Bobick in a previous bout, in February.

John Tate earned $350,000 for his one-sided win.
Kallie Knoetzee fight purse was $250,000.

 

Big John, really a simple country boy, who liked the quiet life.

After Mike Weaver, a bout with Ali for big bucks was in the waiting.

 

Big John, had victories over Greg Page and Mike Dokes in the amateurs.

He was also KO'd in 1 Round by Emory Chapman.

 

If he just smartly boxed the 15th round versus 'Hercules' Mike Weaver, instead of
just lazily moving backwards and foolishly leaning on the ropes,,,,,,,,,,

He gets Muhammad Ali next for $2,500,000 (minimum) in late-1980.
A fight in which he would have easily won.

Then a multi-million dollar match with Larry Holmes next, in early-1981

That left hook by Mike Weaver, cost him $5,000,000...............

 

A couple of early career wins proved that 'Big John' would get somewhere.
vs. Eddie 'The Animal' Lopez (11-0-0)
vs Bernardo Mercado (20-0-0) (17 KO's)

Bob Arum was pushing him big time. After he beat Gerrie Coetzee, Arum proclaimed
him as the the next Muhammad Ali. A big man who could box.

He did look very good in the fight with Mike Weaver, and through 10-rounds, had
done a better job against 'Hercules" than Larry Holmes did.
Big John had Weaver in all sorts of trouble, early in that fight.