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Gerrie Coetzee
Person

Gerrie Coetzee

Gerhardus Christian "Gerrie" Coetzee (born 8 April 1955) is a South African former professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1986, and in 1993 and 1997. He was the first boxer from the African continent ever to fight for, and win, a world heavyweight championship, having held the WBA title from 1983 to 1984. One of Coetzee's nicknames, "The Bionic Hand", came about because of persistent troubles with his right hand, which required the insertion of several corrective items during three surgeries. His Afrikaans nickname was "Seer Handjies", or "Little Sore Hands", named so by fellow South African boxing great Kallie Knoetze.

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