Ex-heavyweight boxing champion Corrie Sanders killed in robbery

Cape Town, South Africa (4E Sports) – Former world heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders of South Africa was shot and killed by armed robbers in a restaurant during his nephew’s birthday celebration. He was 46.

Sanders shocked the boxing world when he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in the second round to win the World Boxing Organization heavyweight title in 2003.

He later surrendered the belt to concentrate for his fight against Wladimir’s brother, Vitali, for the World Boxing Council version title in 2004 but lost.

Sanders last fought in 2008, losing to Osborne Machimana via first-round knockout for the South African heavyweight title. After that, he decided to hang his boxing gloves for good and retire with a 42-4 record, with 31 knockouts.

According to North West Police Brigadier Thulani Ngubane, gunmen entered a restaurant in the town of Brits where Sanders’ nephew was celebrating his birthday.

“Corrie and his family were celebrating his nephew’s birthday, turning 21, and enjoying a meal last night. In the midst of the celebrations, at about 7.45pm in the evening, about three suspects came in,” Ngubane said.

“They were planning to commit an armed robbery. Then in the armed robbery they shot randomly. Corrie was shot in the hand and also the stomach,” he added.

Ngubane said the suspect escaped with a digital camera along with a handbag from one of the people inside the restaurant.

Sanders was rushed to Kalafong hospital but died in the early hours of the morning, Ngubane said.

No suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder.

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