Vintage Bophuthatswana Postage Cover Envelope for the Coetzee Vs Weaver Title Fight in October of 1980.
When Gerrie Coetzee steps into the ring at Sun City, Bophuthatswana, on 25 October 1980 to fight Mike Weaver for the World Boxing Association's heavy-weight title it will be only the third time in the long history of this division that a world heavy-weight championship fight is held in Africa. The first world heavy-weight title fight to be held on the African continent took place in Kinshasa, Zaire, on 30 October 1974, when Muhammed Ali regained the title from George Foreman. Five years later a second championship fight was held in Pretoria, South Africa, when Gerrie Coetzee met John Tate for the vacant WBA title. Michael Dwayne Weaver, aged 27, is an ex-United States Marine who would rather be an artist than a fighter. His Los Angeles apartment is crammed with his pencil sketches and oil paintings. Weaver won the world heavy-weight title at his second attempt, knocking out John Tate in the 15th round in Knoxville, Tennessee, on 31 March 1980. Nine months earlier Weaver had failed in a bid to take the WBC title from Larry Holmes in a gruelling fight in Madison Square Garden, New York. Gerhardus Christian Coetzee, aged 25, is an ex-dental mechanic who plans to breed hoises when his boxing days are over. Coetzee has been beaten only once in 24 professional fights. Most of his fights have been won by knock-outs, many in the early rounds. Despite his defeat by Tate last year, Coetzee remains a formidable challenger with the potential to become champion. A special stadium has been built at Sun City to accommodate a crowd of approximately 16 000, and millions more around the world will watch the fight live via television. The text were kindly furnished by Mr Bert Blewett of South African Boxing World
