Couldn't agree more, that's what boxing has always been about. Neutralising your opponents strengths and maximising yours
Prime Corrie hit a little less hard than his older versions and was maybe a bit more chinny. To compensate, he was slim, more mobile and had faster handspeed and better stamina. He had a good s**** with Puritty that went 12 rounds and he was still full of beans in round 12, winning a wide UD. He was a handful for pretty much everybody he fought. Even in his last (somewhat pathetic) bout vs Machimana, where he came in looking like a tubbaguts, he hammered Osborne hard before succumbing to a liver shot.
Does anyone remember the pre-fight press conference prior to the Bruno fight over here? Gerrie was sat near enough next to Frank and was explaining in his heavy S/A accent that he was not bothered about what colour boxer he was facing, but was fighting another fighter. He didn't get the joke when he stated "to me a spade is a spade". Franks smile got wider before laughing, as well as everyone else in the room. It was only poor old Gerrie looking puzzled as to why everyone was laughing at his last line. Someone hopefully explained to him afterwards the meaning to some old expressions. Bruno KOd the outgunned Coetzee in the first round in their bout.
I agree with the most part, accept young Corrie, old Corrie, it matters not. His stamina was never anything to write home about, I'd put it down as one of his weaknesses. He certainly seemed to gas a bit against Rahman. Even so, everyone goes on about how much potential this guy had, how good he could have been, but I'm not much. An excuse guy. I put this down to a lack of focus and dedication mixed with a good stylistic match up against a good young heavyweight that was yet to reach greatness.
I agree. The guy could bang. But he was never the best conditioned fighter. In particular, Sanders' lack of conditioning for the Vitali fight was very disappointing. That was the biggest fight of his career, and (though I haven't watched it in years) I seem to recall he came out very strong. But he was in no condition for a long fight. Corrie never made the move to campaign in Europe or the U.S. for any extended periods - he'd just take a fight here or there. He seemed to be content facing any heavyweight willing to fly over and face him. His career never really took off internationally because of that. But he accomplished a lot for a guy who wasn't the most dedicated. And I truly admire him defending his daughter when he was killed. It was an incredibly selfless act. So I don't want to say anything too negative. In that regard, he definitely had his priorities in order. I'll always admire him for that. Terribly sad end for a good guy.
Bummy, who other than a drugged out Dokes at the nadir of his career who did Coetzee ever beat ? Seriously ? In his backyard with every possible advantage he lost badly to Tate and Weaver .. Holmes was so vulnerable to the right that he went undefeated till he was 48- 0 and KO'ed the Weaver and Snipes Gerry could not .. you sure try and get a ton of mileage out of the Holmes vulnerable to the right propaganda .. he must have been very vulnerable as only a prime Tyson was able to stop him as an old guy .. as far as Coetzee, no shot .
Coetzee was not the best heavy of the 80's but he was more than capable:think Coetzee i thought was robbed against Snipes, bad decision.. And he was BETTER than Corrie Sanders:deal But he wasn't in Holmes league, if they would have fought Larry would have kicked his ass..
Hells no! Sanders left > Coetzee right. Sanders a better finisher, much faster handspeed, better punch variety. Coetzee may have had a better chin. :yep
He also knew how to pace himself better and while not great himself in the stamina department, still better than Sanders. He had a better jab too.
Coetzee's jab was harder, perhaps, but Sanders' jab was a lot faster and he often doubled it up. For scoring points it was pretty darn good. I recall against Dixon he reeled off something like 8 jabs in a row ... I feel Sanders' stamina issues are overblown. Yes, he didn't like training. Yes, it let him down in some big matches, notably against Rahman where he was winning handily until the needle hit empty. But he was starting to get on in years even then. I do however agree that Coetzee did generally pace himself well, whereas Corrie used to go ba lls to the wall until he couldn't anymore and then sort of clammed up, letting the other guy get his licks in and then exploding again.
Not in that Puritty fight. He actually fought smart and showed up in terrific shape. And paced himself. I think what that ended up doing was scaring other opposing managers away though. They did not want to put their guy in with that version of Sanders. Prior to that effort, consensus was that Corrie could never fight that kind of fight. The only version they'd face is the guy not in shape that they had a better shot against.
Back to Coetzee....Anyone like me and think Knoetze deserved the decision in their fight? I wonder how things evolve if that decision goes the other way?