Suntimes.co.za/ August 2003/
Maybe it's just as well that Corrie Sanders's fight against Roy Jones jnr looks to have hit the dirt. Jones recently tested positive for anabolic steroids, although you wouldn't know it from the American media's muted response - probably because Jones is such a superstar. It has been revealed that the WBA heavyweight champion and his opponent, Richard Hall, both tested positive for a banned steroid prior to their WBC, WBA and IBF light-heavyweight title fight in 2000.
Indiana boxing commissioner Jacob Hall admitted that Jones had tested "five or six times over an acceptable level". The Indiana Commission had no legal grounds to punish Jones or even declare the fight a no-contest. The IBF had legal grounds, but opted for a second test. This didn't happen and it was not followed up.
Jones's training staff initially denied he had taken steroids. But later Jones admitted in a statement that he had bought an over-the-counter nasal decongestant called "Ripped Fuel" which, he said, contained elements of the banned steroid.
It's all a little convenient, especially as steroids aren't contained in that specific decongestant.
Secondsout.com
Sanders: �I�ll fight anyone�
By Anthony Evans: After the obligatory round of legal action, WBO heavyweight king Corrie Sanders is ready to return to the ring for the first time since obliterating Wladimir Klitschko in March; Lion Promotions boss Adrian Ogun is apparently due to announce details of the South African sledge-hammer�s next bout within the week.
And Sanders can�t wait: �I�m ready to fight anyone,� the hard-punching left-hander told SecondsOut. �I�ll take on any fighter my promoters put in front of me. I just want big fights. I�ve just starting training again and I�m looking forward to getting back in the ring around September time.�
Almost an unknown in the sport despite his terrific amateur pedigree and knockout power in the pro ranks, Sanders gatecrashed the world scene when he blasted the younger Klitschko - widely regarded as the second best heavyweight on the planet - to a devastating second round defeat.
�Now I want three or four big fights and then get out of the sport,� the 37-year old said. �Obviously, the biggest fight out there for any every heavyweight is with Lennox Lewis (who gave Sanders a pep talk on the eve of the Wladimir triumph) but if that can�t happen there are other big names out there. I leave all that up to my promoters, SEM/Lion, but I am ready to fight anyone they put in front of me.�
While undoubtedly a dangerous fighter Sanders spent so long in the lower half of the world top 30 waiting for chances that his excitement at finally having fought and beaten a top heavyweight is palpable.
�It was the win of my career, for sure,� Sanders said. �Klitschko showed heart getting up three times but I knew immediately when I knocked him down the first time that I had him. I knew then that he was gone, that he had no hope of recovering. I could see it in his eyes that he couldn�t believe it but I�ll get to him in the rematch, too.�
Sanders is obligated to give the giant Ukrainian a rematch, and the whispers are that the return will take place before the end of the year. In the meantime, Klitschko will face an as yet unconfirmed opponent in Germany on August 30 and Sanders, too, is looking forward to an interim fight.
When Sanders and his team dropped their lawsuit against the World Boxing Organisation it appeared a lock that the Pretoria born puncher would face mandatory challenger Lamon Brewster. However, reading between the lines, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the 37-year-old instead fights a contender with more of a marquee name.
Check back to SecondsOut for the official word on Sanders�s next move.
Suntimes.co.za
Is the WBO heavyweight champion, Corrie Sanders, resting on his laurels? The only gloves the 37-year-old has touched since he hammered Wladimir Klitschko on March 8 are the ones he's autographed. If you do your maths, that means Sanders has not set foot in a gym for four months. Corrie followed in the footsteps of countrymen Gerrie Coetzee and Frans Botha by winning a world heavyweight title. But now he must forge a different path - Coetzee lost the WBA crown in his first defence to Greg Page, and Frans Botha was stripped of the IBF belt after failing a dope test. Come on, Corrie, you've got the talent to beat the big names out there - don't blow it.
When Corrie does get back to the gym, it will be a new one. Since the Pretoria bomber became champion, trainer Harold Volbrecht has teamed up with Brian Mitchell, leaving his East Rand "Hammer Gym" for Mitchell's gymnasium in south Johannesburg. But Sanders won't be training there either. Manager Vernon Smith has organised a gym in Pretoria - especially for the champion.
Sanders's lack of activity is a worry. Promoter Rodney Berman had said he wanted Sanders to be as busy as often as possible. Corrie is scheduled to fight in September. Well, let's hope so (as long as he trains). His boxological clock is ticking.
Boxingtalk.com
Sanders-Klitschko 2?
In the last couple days, Sanders' camp has been publicly confirming reports that they are in serious talks with Chris Byrd. The champions clash for the WBO and IBF heavyweight title seemed a likely possibility, but don't by the tickets too soon, because the WBO has now ruled that Corrie must defend the title first, before he takes on another champion. Furthermore, the defense of the belt has to be carried out against the highest-rated and available boxer in the WBO ratings.
As you know, David Tua is the number one challenger, but due to his upcoming fight with Hasim Rahman, he will not be able to challenge Sanders. That leaves number two-rated Lamon Brewster, as the next available challenger to face Sanders. The same boxer who was supposed to face Wladimir on March 8th, but decided to back-out of the negotiations. Should he decide to pass on this fight, that will give Wladimir the chance to face Sanders in a rematch, as Wladimir holds the third spot in the ratings. "I would be very happy should the situation turn this way," said Wladimir when we spoke with him.
fightnews.com
By Scott Shaffer
Corrie Sanders, the WBO heavyweight titlist, has instructed his attorney, Judd Burstein, to drop his lawsuit against the WBO and says he is now prepared to make a mandatory defense against Lamon Brewster.
In a statement released by Burstein's office, Sanders stated, "although I am confident that I would have prevailed, the American legal process is just too time consuming." Burstein himself added, "At age 37, Corrie needs to get back in the ring."
After Sanders defeated former titlist Wladimir Klitschko earlier this year, the WBO skipped over top-rated David Tua who wanted to fight Sanders but already had a fight scheduled against Hasim Rahman. Instead of Sanders-Tua, the WBO ordered a bout between Sanders and Brewster, who was then the second-ranked contender. There are no definite plans for Sanders-Brewster yet. Wednesday, July 2 2003
Sanders must beware of Brewster
Deon Potgieter /www.mg.co.za
Brewster, like Sanders, is a quick starter, with 18 of his 26 knockouts coming within the first two rounds.
Given these statistics it's fair to expect this bout to be a short one. Brewster has not fought any heavyweights of note, with the biggest names on his record those of Clifford Ettienne (who lasted all of 49 seconds against Mike Tyson) and Charles Shufford, who unsuccessfully challenged for the WBO crown in August 2001.
Both Ettienne and Shufford beat Brewster on points three years ago. Although the experience factor could be an issue, Brewster has long been earmarked as a potential world champion and it would be dangerous for any fighter to underestimate him.
Brewster, nicknamed "Relentless", is 6cm shorter than Sanders, he fights from an orthodox stance and is seven years younger than the champion. Given his tendency also to preferring to finish his opponents off quickly, Sanders needs to tread wisely in this one if he hopes to secure the big payday bouts.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,3-2003130156,00.html
I'm going to KO Lennox
TOWER OF STRENGTH ... South African Corrie Sanders brings London to a standstill.
By PAT SHEEHAN
CORRIE SANDERS reckons he could do to Lennox Lewis what he did against Wladimir Klitschko.
The new WBO world heavyweight champion caused one of boxing's biggest upsets earlier this month when he knocked out red-hot favourite Klitschko inside two rounds.
And Sanders, 37, insists WBC king Lewis would fall the same way ... although he would make up for it by buying his mate a beer.
The South African said: "I fight out of the same SEM stable of boxers as Lennox but if that fight ever happened, I have the tools to beat him.
"I could do to him what I did to Wladimir as I have proved, yet again, I have one of the biggest punches the heavyweight division has seen.
"But straight after the fight, I'd be the first to buy Lennox a beer - after all, he told me how to beat Wladimir."
Sanders was preparing to face Ukrainian ace Klitschko when Lewis put a call in to the Transvaal man at his Hanover dressing room in Germany.
He explained: "It was a real shock but it was a real boost for me. Lennox had only seen me fight on TV a couple of times.
"That call meant so much to me. He said 'Stay focused. Don't let him dictate the fight and show him absolutely no respect, jump on him.
"Basically, that formed my game plan and he called me straight after the fight and congratulated me.
"Lennox is THE man as far as I'm concerned, a true athlete. He is not just a muscular, body-builder boxer who wants to blast opponents out of the ring. Lewis has good balance for such a big man, good power and movement. He is a truly great ambassador for boxing."
Klitschko was being lined up as an opponent for Lewis after the rematch with Mike Tyson, scheduled for June, was put in doubt - but Sanders ripped up those plans.
COLONEL SANDERS ... Corrie celebrates after beating Klitschko to become WBO world heavyweight champ. Picture: FABRIZIO BENSCH/REUTERS
He is now ready to cash in with negotiations under way to face IBF champion Chris Byrd, WBC title holder Roy Jones or former world champion Evander Holyfield.
Sanders wants Jones, the American who has rewritten the history books after moving up from middleweight to the heavyweight division and winning world titles in every category.
Sanders said: "They are talking about Byrd and a variety of others, even Tyson. But the guy I would love to fight is Jones.
"What Jones has done is a fantastic achievement, even though the man he beat, Johnny Ruiz, is regarded as a small heavyweight.
"Jones has made history, he is a great boxer with tremendous skill and superb movement.
"But if he is going to fight the big guns, guys like me weighing around 18st, then he will get badly hurt."
Sanders is still pinching himself after winning the WBO crown and he can remember every punch that dismantled Klitschko.
He revealed: "I never ever thought in my wildest dreams I would finally become the world heavyweight champion - the way my career was going I thought it had all passed me by.
"I'm 37, not a youngster in boxing terms but I feel like a kid in a candy store. I took the Klitschko fight at just five weeks' notice, knowing if I lost, retirement was just around the corner.
"It was very tense in the dressing room before the fight, eerily quiet. But my trainer Harold Volbretch broke the silence and said he still believed in me, then Lennox rang.
"As soon as I got in the ring, I knew it was my time, my point of no return. It was a matter of life and death to stay in there for as long as I could.
I'VE GOT THE POWER ... world champ Sanders in Sun office
"The bell goes and I miss a couple of times with my big lefts but what surprised me was that he just stood there in front of me ... and importantly, I was getting close to him.
"I caught him with a short left hook that was full of power as it came over the top.
"When he dropped down after that shot, I thought there was no way he was getting up - I was surprised when he beat the count."
Sanders added: "I jumped on him again and let my hands do the work and he went down again but the bell to end the first round saved him. The way Klitschko wobbled back to the corner told me it was only a matter of time before I nailed him.
"As soon as the second started I jumped on him, like Lennox said and down he went.
"I couldn't believe how naive he was being, perhaps it was because he had never been in that position before.
"He was just trying to cover with his gloves but he did not know where he was and he went down again, then the referee stepped in.
"Wladimir t>hought he only had to turn up to win. He must have looked at me as some old guy who was not going anywhere except into retirement - he made a big mistake."
www.mg.co.za
A Byrd in the ring is more valuable to Sanders
Deon Potgieter
21 March 2003 14:06
In boxing its always good to beat the man who beat the man who beat ... That way you keep moving forward and build on the reputations of those who have come before you.
In what could be perceived as a step in the wrong direction, South Africa's newly crowned World Boxing Organisation (WBO) heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders is in the process of being matched in a unification bout against the International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion, Chris Byrd.
Byrd, nicknamed "Rapid Fire", is a previous holder of the WBO crown but was himself dethroned by the man Sanders demolished to win the title, Wladimir Klitschko.
Like Klitschko, Byrd is one of the fighters Lennox Lewis is too afraid to face. Lewis relinquished the IBF crown rather than defend against Byrd, a man regarded as the best scientific boxer in the heavyweight division.
By all appearances the association between Lewis's management team Lion Promotions and Sanders's promoters Golden Gloves, is being used to protect Lewis by letting Sanders eliminate those boxers whom Lewis doesn't want to face.
Given that the Sanders vs Byrd fight will be a unification bout it will carry a fair amount of weight, but it would have been a far better and bigger affair, however, if Sanders was matched with Lewis himself or Mike Tyson. Not only would those bouts carry with them more public appeal than the Byrd fight will, but given Sanders style and ability he would also have a greater chance at beating Lewis or Tyson than he will Byrd.
Lewis, Tyson and Klitschko are all cumbersome when it comes to blocking a fast straight jab to the face. Given their sizes and builds, closing up is not something they can do quick enough to block Sander's swift blows. Following the same strategy he did against Klitschko, Sanders could stop both Lewis and Tyson.
Byrd, however, is another kettle of fish. The man is elusive and difficult to hit. Like Sanders, he's also a southpaw and knows his way around the ring. He out-boxed Evander Holyfield in December to win the IBF title and prior to that he took David Tua and Vitali Klitschko to school.
Byrd's biggest disability is his size and reach. He stands 1,88m and has a 185cm reach as opposed to Sanders 1,93m and 196cm reach. It was Sanders's reach, along with his speed, that was a telling factor in his felling of Klitschko.
Although beating Byrd would give Sanders a second crown and place him one step closer to being regarded as the universal heavyweight champion, it will not give him the profile a win over Lewis or Tyson would. In a sport where a promoter's negotiation skills play a bigger role than a boxer's abilities, however, a Byrd in the ring is better than any amount of Lewises outside of it.
WBO orders Sanders mandatory
By Richard K. Redling
In an unusual move, the WBO has reportedly ordered a mandatory title defense for newly crowned heavweight champ Corrie Sanders. Sanders (37-2, 27 KOs) must fight the first available contender in the heavyweight division.
This is surprising as WBO champs can sometimes go years without defending against #1 contenders and almost never are mandatory bouts ordered.
With a voluntary defense apparently out of the picture, a unification with IBF champ Chris Byrd or an all-South African matchup against with Frans Botha are presumably gone, at least for now.
WBO #1 David Tua unavailable (already engaged in a fight with Hasim Rahman) it looks like either #2 Lamont Brewster or ex-champ Wladimir Klitschko (the new #3 in the March rankings) will get the next shot at Sanders.
www.superboxing.co.za
They opened London's Tower Bridge for the latest world heavyweight champion on Wednesday. But at 37, Corrie Sanders is looking for a different gateway to fame.
The South African shook up the heavyweight scene by knocking out Wladimir Klitschko in the second round in Hanover, Germany. Now he's aiming to line up a fight with IBF champion Chris Byrd or WBA titlist Roy Jones in the United States.
"Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Madison Square Garden... anywhere in America, because that's the heavyweight paradise," Sanders told reporters at a news conference on a boat sailing under Tower Bridge on the River Thames.
Until now, Sanders has been unable to get into the mix of world title contenders, despite the speed and powerful left hand that floored Klitschko four times.
Because of his age, his handlers know Sanders has only four of five big fights left in him. Now that he has a world title, they're eager to put him on the lucrative American stage.
One opponent who's definitely out of the question - at least for now -is WBC champion Lennox Lewis, who is in talks for a rematch with former undisputed world champion Mike Tyson in June. Lewis and Sanders are under the same management team.
"They are in effect stablemates," said Adrian Ogun, chief executive of the company that promotes the two heavyweights.
"Corrie has a lot of options and we don't want to close them off. We're going to be canny. We will look at all the options first before looking at Lennox.
"Regarding Lennox, we are working to a very, very tight schedule with regard to a rematch with Mike Tyson so we have to have a formal response back from Showtime and Tyson by the end of next week."
As for Sanders, Ogun says he's in talks with HBO, the TV network that has been handling Lewis' contests, with a view to a fight with either Byrd or Jones, the former light heavyweight champion who stepped up to take the WBA title from John Ruiz last month.
The 1,91m, 102kg Sanders said he would even consider a rematch with Klitschko if the terms were in his favour. "I don't care who they get for me," he said. "Chris Byrd is a great fight. Roy Jones is a guy we're looking for. If I can get Wladimir Klitschko again and the money's right, let's get it on."
www.news24.com
Corrie mum on 'daughter'
Sonja Carstens
Johannesburg - Corrie Sanders, the World Boxing Organisation's new heavyweight champion, refuses to talk about the "malicious woman" who keeps trying to steal his limelight by claiming that he is the father of her six-year-old daughter.
"Does she want to sue me for maintenance again? Rather talk to my manager," an upset Sanders, 37, replied when asked about his association with Elize van der Westhuizen, 32, from Pretoria.
She plans to sue Sanders for maintenance again. She claims he is the father of her daughter, Chere, 6, and demands that he admits to this.
"It's not about money. I don't want maintenance, but my child has the right to know who her father is. The only way I can get Corrie (Sanders) in court, is to sue for maintenance," Van der Westhuizen said.
She has dragged Sanders to court several times over the past six years to contest the result of a negative paternity test. The Pretoria High Court earlier found that Sanders could not be forced to submit to a second paternity test.
Van der Westhuizen claims Sanders undertook to reach a settlement with her shortly before he left for Germany for his title fight.
"When he returned last week, he sent a message with a friend that if Naas Botha and Steve Hofmeyr could get away with it, so could he. I should do what I want."
Botha and Hofmeyr pay maintenance for their illegitimate children.
Van der Westhuizen said Sanders and his former wife, Sunet, hung up the phone when she called.
Sanders and his wife divorced last year. She has custody of the couple's children, Marinique, 5, and Dean, 2.
Sanders claimed earlier that Van der Westhuizen was malicious and that her allegations caused trauma for his family.
Vernon Smit, Sanders's manager, said on Monday that it wasn't worth the effort to react to Van der Westhuizen's allegations. Sanders left the country on Monday evening to attend several press conferences in Britain.
www.iol.co.za
Corrie lines up IBF champ Byrd
South Africa's WBO world heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders will in all likelihood meet IBF world champion Chris Byrd in a "unification" match in South Africa, either in May or June.
That is the latest news confirmed by Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman after a week of trans-Atlantic negotiations.
"We can say that negotiations are at an advanced stage in this regard, and yes, a world heavyweight title unification match between Sanders and Byrd would not only be a huge event in international boxing, but undoubtedly, the biggest boxing event ever involving a South African fighter," he said, adding that May 31 is a possible date.
"We are looking at hosting the contest at a Sun International resort, although details would need to be finalised in the next few weeks."
Although Sanders is regarded as the world's fastest heavyweight, the stylish Byrd, who hails from the US, is spoken of in certain quarters as the "cleverest" tactician at his weight on the planet.
"Byrd beat Evander Holyfield to win the vacant IBF heavyweight crown, and anyone who can outbox the perennial Evander has to be very special," said Berman.
"Make no mistake, Sanders-Byrd will be one of the most spectacular heavyweight contests in years," he concluded.
www.news24.com
Sanders is on top of boxing world
PULE MOKHINE
CORRIE Sanders last weekend put the country on the world map by dethroning German Wladimir Klitschko in front of a partisan crowd in Hanover, Germany. Sanders became the new World Boxing Organisation heavyweight champion. At the ripe age of 37, the new pride of the nation feels rejuvenated and on top of the world. He opened his heart to PULE MOKHINE
PM: How would you describe your victory against Klitschko?
CS: This is a dream come true for me because the odds were heavily stacked against me prior to the fight.
I was written off as a no-hoper with no chance of winning a world crown, but I had to prove my critics wrong.
I feel great because everybody will rally behind me because I am the best thing that could have happened to the world heavyweight scene in many years.
PM: What went through your mind when you were inside the ring
CS: Basically, I told myself I had to stick to my fight plan by winning the fight . Everybody in the arena was jeering at me, but I had to concentrate on the fight by exerting pressure on Klitschko by throwing big bombs to unsettle him.
Once I caught him with a big punch , I knew that was the beginning of the end for him.
I had to go in for the kill in the second round because I sensed he was already kaput. It was such a great moment when he couldn't get up after I had pummelled him .
PM: At 37 regarded you as being over the hill with no chance of lifting the world championship belt. Your response?
CS: My philosophy is that good things come to those who exercise patience. I have been around for more than 13 years campaigning in the pro ranks. I held the SA title and had a number of international bouts including the one I lost to the American Nate Tubbs.
Quite honestly, after having lost to Tubbs I had to work hard against the odds to show I would make it big one day, despite being on the wrong side of age.
I am glad I have achieved my dream of winning a world title.
PM: Now that you are a world champion, what does the future hold for you?
CS: There are talks of me fighting big guns such as Roy Jones junior, Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson. In fact, promoter Rodney Berman is toying with the idea of matching me against Jones first, but nothing has been finalised yet.
He is going to England next week to open negotiations.
I am eagerly awaiting this moment because a win will definitely put me in the big league .
I am itching for a match with Jones, who I rate as the best heavyweight in the world.
I have seen Lewis and Tyson in action before and feel I can beat them convincingly. Those who think I am just a palooka will eat their words. I am ready to hoist the South African flag high this year - watch this space.
PM: Who has been your toughest opponent to date in your career?
CS: An international fight against Ross Purrity.I went twelve rounds with him. I must say he was a damn tough cookie.
PM : Any plans to meet your countryman Francois Botha, who is now fighting out of the United States?
CS: I don't entertain any dreams of meeting him because he made a mockery of my career before I lifted the world title. He used to make bad public remarks about me, saying I was a lousy boxer and all other nasty things.
He used to boast he was the only top heavyweight from South Africa who could match the best in the world.
Having fought and lost to the likes of Mike Tyson, he thought he was great. Now that I'm the world champion, he'll definitely want to fight me but that won't happen.
PM: Coincidentally, you did the country proud by winning the world title just when the Proteas had been bundled out of the ICC Cricket World Cup. What does this mean to you?
CS: Being patriotic myself, I was extremely disappointed to see our country surrendering to Sri Lanka in the opening stages because of rain while I was in Germany. Their exit from the tournament inspired me to work hard by winning the world title to bring glory to the country.
I regard this achievement as a milestone.
PM: How much have you earned from winning the world crown?
CS: To be honest my purse is my secret, but I must admit I've netted in the region of R5 million in purse. I must say this is good money.
PM: Where do you wish to spend you holidays?
CS: I would like to enjoy myself with my family on the beach in Cape Town or Durban. Having just divorced my wife, this will give me ample time to relax with my two children - a girl (6) and a boy (2) - and plan the way forward in life.
PM: Who do you dedicate your victory to?
CS: My father. He has been supportive through my recent divorce. He has rallied behind me all the way before my bout against Klitschko. The moral support I got from him gave me strength and made me believe in myself.
PM: Any plans to leave South Africa and settle elsewhere?
CS: Obviously it's time to make money now. But I don't see myself deserting South Africa even if I earn R50 million from my defences because I regard it as a beautiful country.
I like South Africa and don't think I will go and live in England or America or anywhere in Europe.
PM: Who has been your source of inspiration?
CS: My dad, promoter Rodney Berman, and trainer Harold Volbrecht. They have been supportive throughout my career in the professional ranks. I thank them for having made my dreams of snatching world glory a reality.
My new business manager, Vernon Smith, has also played an important role in shaping my boxing career for the brief period I have been with him.
PM: Besides boxing, what else do you do?
CS: I am keen amateur golfer. I keep myself busy by playing in tournaments around Johannesburg. As a full-time professional I always go with my children to watch top-class events such as the Sun City Golf Challenge and the Wild Coast Sun Classic, when I'm not busy with boxing.
PM: Who is your role model?
CS: Former president Nelson Mandela.
PM: When do you plan to retire from boxing?
CS: There are two years left for me before I call it a day. I think it will be ideal for me to make as many defences as possible before I decide to retire.
I would like to make more money from my upcoming fights in order to be in a healthy financial situation when I retire.
I'm looking into the possibility of becoming a trainer in Pretoria, where I come from. It makes sense to develop, and plough back into the community what one has developed in the ring.
PM: What do you think of the standard of heavyweight boxing here compared to other countries?
CS: I don't want to make myself out to be a better boxer than I am but there are no quality heavyweight boxers in the country because of a lack of dedication.
Because the division is the most glamorous in the sport, the majority of fighters lose hope quickly because of a lack of ring action and sponsorship.
Sanders next fight could be on Robben Island
By Bongani Magasela
www.iol.co.za
Corrie Sanders' first defence of his WBO belt or a unification with either WBC, IBF and IBO champion Lennox Lewis or WBA holder Roy Jones Junior in his homeland depends on the South African government.
Golden Gloves boss, Rodney Berman, intends staging the "Amandla" super bout on the historic Robben Island.
However, the South African government must give its consent to the fight being staged on the island.
The 38-year-old relaunched his career when he punched his way to a multi-million rand super-fight by winning the WBO championship from Russian Vladimir Klitschko in two rounds in Germany on Saturday night.
"Our dream of Amandla tournament on Robben Island has never waned for a moment providing that our proposal to the government is successful. We will move full steam at making that dream a reality," Berman said.
He said he was in a position where he could chose the options with Americans Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield being possible candidates.
"Right now, it looks like being either a Sanders-Lewis or Sanders-Jones unification bout with Robben Island as our prime objective as a possible site location," he said.
Boxing South Africa (BSA) chairman Mthobi Tyamzashe, who described Sanders' win as a "bloody victory", did not rule out assisting Berman in ensuring the fight took place at Robben Island.
Speaking at the Johannesburg International Airport where Sanders was given a hero's welcome on Monday, Tyamzashe said BSA was proud of the 38-year-old and his trainer "Hammer" Volbrecht.
"We really owe Corrie a huge apology. We tended to write him off and not to take him seriously, and in fact I hear some people were not even watching the fight and they were surprised to hear of the outcome.
"Now that Corrie has put us in the real deal, I have got to say that Corrie, the WBO heavyweight champion, you are welcomed back home," he said.
BSA CEO Thabo Moseki, who accompanied Sanders to Germany, said "there is nothing as shocking like getting into an arena filled with thousands of people all against you".
"But Corrie went in there knowing exactly what to do. I even lost my voice from screaming, and I can tell you that we brought home a real champion," said Moseki.
"I do not know what to say," said a tearful Sanders. "I am proud to be South African and well done to my guys."
Sanders said it had been experience fighting in front of 12 000 people.
"I have fought in front of at least 5 000 people. All the Germans cheered for me afterwards," he said.
Volbrecht said his charge had waited 12 years for such a moment.
"I believe Corrie has made history. He was the South African undefeated champion. We were very disappointed when Corrie never won the Old Buck belt which he wanted so much.
"When he won the WBU title we thought he was gonna get the Old Buck belt and he did not, but I am very positive and sure now that winning the WBO championship - the real deal - I think he deserves the WBO and the Old Buck belt," said Volbrecht.
The mentor, himself a former undefeated national welterweight champion, made it clear that the most appealing fight for Sanders would be a unification with Jones.
Sanders won the WBO championship without being punched once.
"At the moment there is not many heavyweight that can last in the ring with Corrie. I hear he is talking about making two defences but I believe he will stick around for two more years," said Volbrecht. - Sapa
www.news24.com
Hero's welcome for Sanders
Johannesburg - Newly-crowned WBO heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders sobbed uncontrollably when he was treated to a hero's welcome on his arrival at the Johannesburg International Airport on Monday morning.
Wrapped in the South African flag, Sanders was greeted with cheers. School kids from Laerskool Voorwaarts - a farm school near Britz where Sanders went from grade one to seven, were also among the handful of elated fans. "God bless Corrie," read their poster.
Sanders' response was sweet and short: "I am proud to be South African," he said, fighting back the tears. But it was not the kind of reception which was expected for a boxer, who against all odds, dethroned a 100-1 on hot favourite in front of his home crowd.
About 12 000 German fans were stunned when the South African easily dethroned their man at Hanover on Saturday night.
A "dark horse" as Sanders was best described going into the fight, surprised many pundits with his victory. Sanders downed Klitschko four times in two rounds before the bout was finally called over towards the end of the second round.
He became the third boxer from South Africa to win a WBO title. The first was Dingaan "The Rose" Thobela and was followed by the pint-sized Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala. Coincidentally, the retired Matlala, now an executive member of Boxing South Africa, was at hand to welcome his compatriot.
Ukrainian-born Klitschko, now living in Hamburg, was perceived by many to be unbeatable. But his chances now of meeting Lennox Lewis were dashed when Sanders stole his thunder.
Chairperson of Boxing South Africa Mthobi Tyamzashe, Krish Naidoo and their colleagues from the Gauteng Boxing Control Commission - Stanley Sono, Archie Nyingwa and referee Alfred Buqwana were also at the airport to welcome South Africa's latest hero.
www.superboxing.co.za
Now Corrie calls the shots
Corrie Sanders is suddenly, at the age of 37, the hottest heavyweight in the world. Promoters and matchmakers are falling over each other to have a piece of his new-found fame.
The South African's second-round victory over Wladimir Klitschko in Hanover, Germany, on Saturday night sent shock waves through the boxing world even before Sanders was presented with the WBO belt.
The left hand that demolished the man who had been touted as No 2 only to Lennox Lewis, echoed around the world as soon as referee Genaro Rodriquez signalled the end after less than 30 seconds of the second round.
Now everyone wants to know who Sanders will find next: Lewis, still rated the undisputed king of the division, former champion Mike Tyson, Wladimir's elder brother Vitali or even light heavyweight and new WBA heavyweight champion Roy Jones.
Sanders won't be rushed into defending the WBO title. Promoter Rodney Berman and trainer Harold Volbrecht will handle him like gold, which he now is.
After receiving what is said to be less than $250 000 dollars for fighting the former Ukrainian in his adopted country, Germany, Sanders can probably demand ten times as much now to fight one of the top heavyweights.
Going into the bout as underdog in just about everyone's books, having fought only three rounds in almost three years, being 8 kg lighter and a bit shorter than Klitschko, Sanders did the right thing by moving, switching direction, jabbing and waiting for the opportunity.
It came sooner than even he had expected. Klitschko, after taking a telling jab earlier, dropped his right hand and Sanders snaked in a left from the shoulder, hitting the local hero flush on the chin. Klitschko's legs folded and his eyes gave him away; he was ready for the taking.
Sanders clubbed him again after he had managed to get up. Klitschko went down again, struggled to his feet and barely stayed upright until the bell.
The Sanders left, as if guided by radar, honed in on Klitschko's jaw again as soon as the second round began. The champion went down, came up and went down again. The referee did not bother to count. Corrie Sanders, former holder of the WBU heavyweight title, was the WBO champion, South Africa's latest sporting hero and the man every promoter in the world wanted to talk to as soon as possible.
"I gave myself a big chance to beat him. I knew I could do it," Sanders said after the bout. "I wasn't planning that; it just happened that way."
For Klitschko it was the sixth defence of his title and the next step towards taking over the mantle Lewis has been wearing. He had signed a nine-fight deal with TV network HBO. Victory was supposed to be a formality.
The 11 500 spectators were as stunned as Klitschko, who reacted as most beaten champions do: "I'll come back. I'll be world champion," he said. "All great champions have been beaten; then came back. It happened to Ali, it's happened to Lennox Lewis too."
Klitschko's record now stands at 40-2. Only last week he said he wanted to knock out Sanders to back his claim of being one of the top heavyweights in the world. "To win is important. To really dominate is important. To win by knockout... no one questions the winner."
No one did question the winner on Saturday night. The man who had beaten Jameel McCline and Ray Mercer had been demolished by a golf-playing South African southpaw.
His prophetic words of the week before the fight must have been ringing in Klitschko's ears as he saw the referee's waving arms. "I know how fast it can be over; it just takes one blow."
Followed by a few others, he might have added. He never recovered from that first left.
www.suntimes.co.za
Corrie stuns boxing world
South African stops giant Ukranian Klitschko in second round of dramatic WBO heavyweight title fight
David Isaacson in Hannover, Germany
Corrie Sanders shocked the world when he obliterated Wladimir Klitschko inside of four minutes to win the WBO heavyweight championship last night.
He waited 13 years and 11 months for this chance and he wasted no time taking it with a left hand that felled the giant Ukrainian three times before the referee stopped the slaughter.
Sanders, 37, and considered a no-hoper by most of the locals here, sent the champion to the canvas twice in the opening round, a third time early in the second, and the referee had no option but to stop it when Sanders swarmed all over a dazed Klitschko.
Klitschko, 26, was widely rated as the second-best heavyweight after Lennox Lewis, with some even ranking him the best in the world, but he folded beneath the fists of Sanders who for so long has been underrated and deprived of opportunities.
The Sanders camp, however, had planned this fight to perfection, relying heavily on their charge's hand speed, accurate punching and devastating power.
It was all too much for Klitschko. This was anything but a lucky punch, although Sanders's handlers tried their best to generate as much good fortune as they could.
Promoter Rodney Berman wore what he calls a good luck charm, a bracelet given to him by Panamanian boxing legend Roberto Duran in 1997. On Friday evening, Sanders also received a call from Lennox Lewis wishing him luck and advising him to pressure Klitschko. That's exactly what Sanders did.
Sanders's trainer, Harold Volbrecht, had advised Sanders not to rush the champion early on but to wait for his opportunity - the opportunity came quickly. Optimism was high early in the week with Volbrecht saying he had detected a rare confidence in Sanders, spotted previously only before his demolition jobs on Bert Cooper in 1993 and Al "Ice" Cole a few years later.
Sanders is the third South African to have challenged for the WBO title after Johnny du Plooy and Fransie Botha. He was the first to succeed and becomes only the third SA heavyweight to win a quality world title after Gerrie Coetzee (WBA) and Botha (IBF).
www.superboxing.co.za
Corrie Sanders won the WBO heavyweight title in sensational fashion when he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in the second round in Hanover, Germany, on Saturday night. The 37-year-old South African southpaw knocked the champion down twice late in the first round and again in the second to stake a claim for a fight against Lennox Lewis.
Sanders snaked in a left between Klitschko gloves halfway through the first round and immediately took control, rocking the former Ukrainian with another barrage before the bell saved the champion.
Another left straight from the shoulder put Klitschko down in the second and even though he again managed to beat the count, there was no way back into the fight. He went down for the fourth time with more than two minutes of the round remaining as a stunned crowd watched the German hero lose his claim to fight Lewis.
Sanders, outweight by 8 kg and 11 years older than the champion, made it a great night for South Africa after Takalani Ndlovu had comprehensively beaten Anthony Martinez on points over eight rounds in a featherweight bout on the undercard.
Beating Klitschko, Sanders followed in the footsteps of Gerrie Coetzee and Francois Botha, two other South Africans who had won heavyweight titles.
Sanders, trained by Harold Volbrecht, had had only six fights since winning the WBU heavyweight title on 15 November 1997 by beating Ross Purrity, who had been sparring against him for the bout in Germany.
Those six fights consisted of only 14 rounds of action, but Sanders did the clever thing by starting fast and positively against the slow-moving Klitschko. His hand speed and punching power proved too much for the highly rated Klitschko, whos brother Vitali is also one of the top heavyweights in the world. Since making his pro debut in 1989, Sanders has won 39 and lost only two fights, with 29 wins inside the distance. Of his stooppage wins, 25 came inside the first two rounds.
Klitschko, 26, came into the bout with a record of 37 short-cut wins in 41 fights and one loss was to Purrity in December 1998. Sanders weighs 225/ Klitschko is 242.5
Sanders gets surprise call from Lewis
www.sabcnews.com
South Africa's heavyweight boxer Corrie Sanders has received a surprise call from the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Lennox Lewis, wishing him good luck ahead of his fight against Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine tomorrow evening.
Sanders is challenging Klitschko for his WBO heavyweight title in Hanover, Germany. Rodney Berman, Sanders' promoter, says the message will be a big morale booster to the South African in this most important time of his career.
This is a make or break fight for Sanders as Klitschko is one of the best heavyweights in the world at the moment. Victory would mean possible money spinning fights against the likes of Lewis or John Ruiz. However, it will not come easy as the Ukranian has a devastating punch, knocking out most of his opponents.
Photo is from www.Boxing.de
Corrie has punchers chance
www.superboxing.co.za
Corrie Sanders can take the WBO heavyweight title from Wladimir Klitschko in Germany on Saturday night, providing he lands a big punch during the first few rounds. Predicting the winner of the fight in Hanover is, however, extremely tricky.
There are two schools of thought about Klitschko, the WBO heavyweight champion, even though most experts agree he is the number one contender to Lennox Lewis, the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
The first theory is that Klitschko is the next heavyweight champion and possibly the saviour of a sport looking for a charismatic, educated hero who will reintroduce the game to the masses.
The second theory, which has more support, is that Klitschko is a decent enough heavyweight, but not much more. Supporters of this idea say he has done little more than beat some lesser heavyweights, the division is weak and the possibility of him beating Lewis and re-invigorating the game is nil.
Klitschko is a big, hard-hitting fighter and white heavyweights who hit hard, make money. More than a few experts believe he got where he is because he has genuine talent.
This is the man South Africa's Sanders will meet in Hanover on Saturday night when he challenges the former Ukrainian for the WBO heavyweight belt.
Sanders, 37 years old and trained by the experienced Harold Volbrecht, has had only six fights since winning the WBU heavyweight title on 15 November 1997 by beating Ross Purrity, who has been sparring against him for the bout in Germany.
Those six fights consisted of only 14 rounds of action, and that must count against the South African. Sparring just does not harden a fighter�s body as well as ring action does.
A positive in favour of Sanders, despite inactivity and his age, is his punching power and hand speed from a southpaw stance. This could be particularly valuable in he early rounds.
Since making his pro debut in 1989, Sanders has won 38 and only lost two fights, with 28 wins inside the distance. He is explosive and fast at the start of a fight, as his record shows � 24 of his stoppage wins coming inside the first two rounds.
The orthodox Klitschko, at 26, has youth on his side and an advantage in height and reach. He has scored 37 short-cut wins in 41 fights and his only loss was to Purrity in December 1998 when his corner stopped the fight in the eleventh round with an exhausted Klitschko unable to continue.
A year later Sanders scored a comprehensive points decision over Purrity. One could read something in that result, but Klitschko was only 22 at the time and had never fought creditable opponents. The Klitschko who enters the ring on Saturday night is a much more polished and better fighter.
He has a patient, measured style, with a strong, stiff jab and occasionally lets loose with three and four-punch combinations. He is, however, inclined to play safe and go for the win rather than fight spectacularly and risking defeat.
His usual tactics should take him through to a late stoppage, but there is always the chance that Sanders can get in first and land that big southpaw left. Then the critics will also be able to judge how well Klitschko takes a punch.
Corrie gets a little help from new friends
www.suntimes.co.za
Boxing star Sanders uses a psychologist and a sports physician to prepare for big bout against Klitschko
David Isaacson
Corrie Sanders has entered the computer age. And he believes his new hi-tech training programme will rocket him to the top of the world heavyweight scene.
Sanders challenges WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko, widely rated the second best in the division after Lennox Lewis, in Hannover, Germany, on Saturday night.
Klitschko may be best known to South Africans for his role as Lewis's opponent in Ocean's Eleven, the 2001 Hollywood hit starring Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Julia Roberts.
Sanders, under new management, has bolstered preparations with frequent trips to the University of Pretoria's high-performance centre as well as a sports psychologist.
And it seems to be working. He's oozing a confidence that has long been missing. This time, when he says he will win, he means it.
"I used to lack confidence in myself, belief in myself. In the back of my mind I would wonder: 'Can I do it? Can't I do it?' Now I know I can. The psychologist has given me that confidence and now I'm looking forward to it."
Sanders, who is actually smiling at times in sparring, reckons he hasn't trained as hard for a fight in nearly 10 years - when he stopped then world title contender Bert Cooper in three rounds in June 1993.
Two years before, Cooper was beaten in seven by Evander Holyfield, although he decked the champion in the early rounds.
Sanders's sessions on an isokinetic machine means he has got in even more hard work than he would have in his regular routine of sparring, road-work and gym. Already he's down to around 101kg, the lightest since 1995.
A computer attached to the machine identifies an athlete's weaknesses so an exercise programme can be developed to improve them in quick time.
"What we do in two weeks can take a couple of months in the gym," says Dr Philda de Jager, a sports physician at the centre. "Two weeks can result in a 20% improvement in speed of movement. Without it, improvement in that same time won't be more than 10% at best."
But De Jager wouldn't disclose Sanders's strengths and weaknesses, except to say: "Luckily his basic level is quite good . . . and obviously, he hits very hard."
Sanders, one of the fastest heavyweights in world boxing, is confident he can knock Klitschko out - a conviction that has been boosted by American sparring partner Ross Puritty, to date the only man to have beaten the Ukrainian giant.
"Ross put him down three times in the later rounds [before he quit in the 11th]. I don't think he takes a punch well," says Sanders.
Vernon Smith, who took over the managerial duties from trainer Harold Volbrecht late last year, said the high-performance programme was vital.
"We were given only five weeks' notice for the fight. That's how Klitschko's people play. They don't give opponents enough time to prepare."
If there is a doubt hanging over Sanders, it's that he's breathing hard after only a few rounds of heavy sparring, suggesting he lacks the stamina to go the distance at pace.
Volbrecht, however, points out that Klitschko does not throw a lot of punches each round, relying mostly on his jab. "Corrie must give him angles. Klitschko's jab is so heavy that if we can make him miss, he will tire in the later rounds."
Sanders's training schedule has been so hectic that he has not had time for his first love, golf, on week days.
But that didn't stop the more than useful player (a two-handicapper) from winning his club championship at Pecanwood last weekend.
Ironically, he seemed less worried about the looming battle against Klitschko than he was going into the golf tournament. For a change, his confidence is right where it should be - in the boxing ring
It's make or break time for Corrie Sanders
www.iol.co.za
By Karien Jonckheere
It's make-or-break for Corrie Sanders. The pride of South African heavyweight boxing flies out to Germany on Thursday to challenge Vladimir Klitschko for his WBO heavyweight title on March 8.
And at the age of 38, a loss to the Ukranian giant could only spell disaster. A win, on the other hand, could catapult him into the world of million-dollar fights.
Golden Gloves promoter, Rodney Berman, confirmed that "if Corrie beats Klitschko, which I'm saying he will, we'll immediately approach the government to stage his first title defence at Robben Island. After that he's made for life".
'I've trained really hard and am feeling confident'
In addition, Berman revealed: "My personal opinion is that Mike Tyson is not going to fight Lennox Lewis and if Corrie wins, he will be the logical contender to fight Lewis. In the twilight of his career, that's mind-boggling and I can virtually guarantee that we would get the fight here in South Africa."
But first Sanders has to do the business in Hanover. And despite going into the fight with the underdog label, a considerable collection of highly-regarded boxing pundits reckon the Pretorian has what it takes to get the better of his eastern European opponent.
Former WBC Intercontinental heavyweight champion Ross Puritty, who was employed as Sanders' chief sparring partner in the run-up to the fight, believes that the South African's handspeed will give him the edge. Coming from the only man to have beaten the mighty Klitschko, this can only boost Sanders' confidence, also considering the fact that the South African defeated Puritty for the WBU heavyweight title just a year before his victory over the Ukranian.
"Anybody who thinks Corrie hasn't a chance of winning is a fool!" reckons Puritty.
"He is looking fantastic, and has the speed, power and skill to whip Klitschko, although victory won't come easy. Corrie will need to keep moving and give the giant Ukranian plenty of angles, while firing bullets from that southpaw stance. If he can do that, he'll win the title on March 8."
A glance at the record books reveals that both fighters boast 38 wins, Sanders having conceded two defeats and Klitschko just the one - to Puritty.
Sanders himself is oozing confidence.
"I'm feeling very good. I've trained really hard and am feeling confident," he explained.
"Klitschko is a big name and a big guy the world takes note of. Obviously he's the favourite to win. I don't care what happens in the fight as long as I beat him," he reckons, adding that Puritty and legendary local boxers Kallie Knoetze and former WBA heavyweight champion Gerrie Coetzee have been a great help and inspiration to him.
Meanwhile, South Africa's Jan Bergman and Britain's Jawaid Khaliq, who fight for the IBO welterweight title at the Carnival City on Saturday, were on Tuesday given a clean bill of health at a pre-fight medical examination.
More Sanders-Klitschko news can be found here- Boxing.de
www.boxinginsider.com
Since last year South African Corrie Sanders eagerly prepares for his upcoming world title fight against Dr. Wladimir Klitschko. He also hired a competent adviser and sparring partner: Ross Puritty.
Together with the former conqueror of the young Klitschko brother the 37-year-old veteran works out the game plan how to dethrone Dr. Klitschko in Hannover, Germany, on March 8 while he trains in his home town Pretoria, a city close to Johannesburg.
�Basically I was training the whole last year. I had a little break in December and started in January again�, Sanders explains who works out twice each day, together four to five hours daily. �Believe me, I�m in very good shape.�
www.suntimes.co.za
Steer clear of Klitschko jab, Corrie warned
David Isaacson
The only man to have defeated Wladimir Klitschko has some advice for Corrie Sanders - steer clear of the Ukrainian's jab.
American Ross Puritty is the single blemish on the professional record of Klitschko, who defends his WBO heavyweight crown against Sanders in Hannover, Germany, on March 8.
Puritty is also one of just two men to have battled both Klitschko and Sanders, losing to the South African on points in 1997. James Pritchard, a stoppage victim to both, is the other.
Puritty, in SA as Sanders's chief sparring partner, believes Sanders can disrupt Klitschko's rhythm if he is able to stay clear of his left hand lead. Just more than 2m tall, Klitschko will enjoy a height advantage of around 10cm.
"He uses his height well . . . he has a good jab," said Puritty. "Corrie must not let him establish the jab, he must use lots of head movement. If you can get past his jab, you can confuse him. He doesn't stay composed when he's frustrated - he goes into desperation mode and tries to knock you out."
And this is when Sanders must try to blow the champion away. Puritty believes Klitschko's chin is his weakness. "When I hit him, he didn't seem to take it well."
But landing a knockout blow is easier said than done - Klitschko, the 1996 Olympic super-heavyweight champion, masks this weakness by making himself difficult to hit. "He can box. Klitschko's very hard to get to, he moves around very well. Corrie must also do a lot of body punching."
Furthermore, waiting for the right moment means Sanders will have to bide his time, something he is not used to. No fewer 18 of his 38 victories have come in the first round.
However, the Pretoria boxer did display this type of concentration against the tough Puritty, who was unable to cope with the South African's pace, throwing too few punches for 12 rounds. Puritty also rates Klitschko's short left hook and heavy right as dangerous weapons.
Yet, as hard as Klitschko punches, it seems he doesn't possess the single knockout blow of Mike Tyson - perhaps he pulls his punches slightly so he doesn't open himself up to counter blows.
Whatever the reason, he has gone some rounds against boxers who couldn't survive that long with other heavyweights.
Joseph Chingangu, a former stablemate of Sanders, was stopped in the fifth by Klitschko and in the fourth by Derrick Brown, effectively a blown-up cruiserweight. Frans Botha succumbed to Klitschko in the eighth round last year. As an amateur, Botha was stopped three times by Sanders.
The record shows Puritty beat Klitschko on a technical knockout in the 11th round in 1998, but there are conflicting reports on the reason for the stoppage. Some say Klitschko dislocated a shoulder, others that he collapsed from exhaustion.
Puritty believes the latter. "He gave it his all, he was finished afterwards," said the fighter from Norman, Oklahoma, a former college gridiron player who dived straight into professional boxing without amateur experience.
www.worldonline.co.za
Sanders vs Klitschko on for March
Corrie Sanders has been handed a golden opportunity to once again become a world heavyweight champion.
The South African, a former WBU champion, will challenge Vladimir Klitschko for the WBO heavyweight title in Germany on March 8.
Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman said he hoped Sanders would grab the opportunity with both hands.
"There is no doubt that the big Pretorian has an excellent chance of pulling off one of the biggest upsets since Hasim Rahman knocked out Lennox Lewis at Carnival City in 2001," said Berman. "This bout will also be one of the most significant in South African heavyweight history."
The news of the fight was announced in Germany on Friday, hours after Lennox Lewis had said he would fight Mike Tyson and follow up with the Klitscho brothers if he won.
Berman, who scooped the Promoter of 2002 Award at the annual King Korn awards last week, added that Klitschko had a glowing reputation and is even regarded by some as a potential great in the making.
"What a coup it would be for South Africa if Corrie could beat him. Certainly our man has the experience, speed and potency of punch to turn the trick, and that is why we jumped at the opportunity of accepting this fight," said Berman.
Sanders, 36, is a dark horse but his trainer Harold "Hammer" Volbrecht remains confident.
"If Klitschko thinks this will be a walk in the park he is in for a big surprise," said Volbrecht, himself a former national welterweight champion.
Klitschko has only once experienced defeat and has scored 40 wins - 37 knockouts - while Sanders boasts 38 victories and two losses (29 stoppages). The champion's defeat was against Ross Purity who Sanders beat to claim the WBU title in 1997.
But the big Russian-born boxer made up for that 11th round stoppage when beating Chris Byrd for the WBO title in 2000. South Africa's Frans "White Buffalo" Botha is also one of Klitschko's victims.
www.news24.com
Sanders to fight for title at last
Johannesburg - The days of scratching the bottom of the barrel for SA heavyweight fighter Corrie Sanders have come to an end after his promoter Rodney Berman announced he was to challenge the feared World Boxing Organisation (WBO) champion Vladimir Klitschko in Germany on March 8.
The unexpected news comes at a time when Sanders was scheduled to fight a Russian opponent in April in Brakpan in one of the attempts to break into the international heavyweight division.
But just as Berman had hinted 2003 was to be the year for Sanders to make the breakthrough, the country's top promoter clinched the deal with Universum Boxing promotions under German promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl, upstaging American fighters Kirk Johnson and Fres Oquendo.
The ground-breaking deal for Sanders comes at time when Kohl is embroiled in a possible bitter legal battle with the WBA heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis following Lewis's rejection of a defence against Klitschko's elder brother, Vitali.
Lewis, who had earlier agreed to fight Vitali, is reportedly backing off from the April fight in favour of a rematch with former heavyweight king Mike Tyson.
The towering British fighter has reportedly rearranged his itinerary of cleaning up the heavyweight division, starting with a big payday against Tyson, then rounding off with the Klitschkos - with Vitali coming first.
Ironically, Vitali was cited as Sanders' opponent last November only for him to duck out when he reportedly discovered the Sanders he was to fight was not the American fighter Cory Sanders, but South Africa's Corrie Sanders.
Berman assured City Press Klitschko was now aware he would fight the South African southpaw.
"I have been working behind the scenes to clinch this fight. I did not want to disclose anything before hand, in case some come-by-night people tried to hijack it," he said.
Defeat by Hasim Rahman
It will be the second time Sanders fights for a world crown in the division since his stoppage defeat by Hasim Rahman three years ago for the WBU title.
Sanders had been a WBU champion for two years before agreeing to take the Rahman fight while recovering from a bout of flu.
Although he held his own and had Rahman going in some stages of the fight before subsequently running out of steam, Sanders was never given another opportunity against the heavyweight division's big guns despite the fact Rahman went on to knock out Lewis for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
Robben Island fight
Berman is already making some plans in anticipation of Sanders becoming a champion.
These include reviving his plans to stage a tournament on Robben Island at which Sanders would defend the crown.
"Imagine the benchmark the fight would achieve when Sanders, a white SA heavyweight champion, fights on Robben Island where political prisoners such as Nelson Mandela were imprisoned.
"That will be milestone in the process of reconciliation and rebirth of a unified nation," said Berman.
Klitschko, a Ukrainian-born German, is widely touted as the future of the heavyweight division particularly after his 11th round stoppage defeat of highly regarded American fighter Jameel McCline in Las Vegas in December.
The 26-year-old giant, with an odd loss in 40 contests and 37 knockouts, is five years younger than his brother Vitali, but is considered a better fighter with better overall boxing attributes.
Both the Klitschko brothers are role models in Europe and both hold doctorate degrees from the University of Kiev in the Ukraine where their parents still live.
Ironically, Vladimir's only loss was to Ross Purity a couple of years ago, the same opponent Sanders (38-2, 28 kos) easily beat to annex the WBU crown at The Carousel in 1997.
www.sabcnews.com
Sanders to fight for world heavyweight crown
Corrie Sanders will have another shot at the world heavyweight crown. Vladimir Klitschko, the WBO champion of Ukraine, will defend his title against Sanders in Germany on March 8.
This is a make or break fight for Sanders as Klitschko is one of the best heavyweights in the world at the moment. Victory would mean possible money spinning fights against the likes of Lennox Lewis or John Ruiz. However, it will not come easy as the Ukranian has a devastating punch, knocking out most of his opponents.
Rodney Berman, the promoter, said: "They will fly (a) sparring partner from the USA to help Corrie". On the other hand, Klitscko is keeping his training in the family. His sparring partner is his brother Vitali, who has fought Lewis.
www.suntimes.co.za
Corrie must topple a giant
Wicked puncher Klitschko gives Sanders a WBO title chance and a place in boxing's big league.
By CLINTON VAN DER BERG
Corrie Sanders has finally secured his big fight. On March 8, he will step into the ring in Hamburg against Ukrainian giant Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO title.
Klitschko may not have the cachet or reputation of Lennox Lewis or Mike Tyson, but many insiders rate him the No 1 heavyweight in the world.
He won super-heavyweight gold at the 1996 Olympics - his amateur record was a staggering 134-6 - and he has since scored 36 KOs in 39 wins as a professional. Connoisseurs are calling him boxing's next superstar.
The bout is a big break for Sanders, whose career so far has been pock-marked with disappointment and fight cancellations.
Despite Sanders's age (37) and lack of recent activity, promoter Rodney Berman gives him every chance of beating a man 11 years his junior.
"Klitschko is an awesome proposition, but he's slow," said Berman.
"Corrie is among the fastest heavyweights in the world and he must use his speed to outbox Klitschko. He's certainly capable of upsetting him."
Sanders's big problem has been his mental fortitude. Happily, he has taken to consulting a sports psychologist in an effort to ensure he has total belief in his ambition to topple the champion.
Even so, Sanders wouldn't have much chance were boxing a more cerebral than physical pursuit.
Wladimir, like his elder brother Vitali, holds a PhD in sports science and philosophy from the University of Kiev. He is the author of a book on sports fitness and is a chess devotee.
Vitali is a better chess player, but concedes that Wladimir is the better boxer. "He is the future of boxing."
Despite his size - 2m and about 114kg - Klitschko is surprisingly light on his feet. He is also a wicked puncher with a stinging jab and power in both hands. Most recently he made Jameel McCline look like a novice when he made his fourth title defence in Las Vegas in December. McCline was crushed in the 10th round.
The Sanders camp intend preparing to perfection. Three big heavyweights are in line to be flown to South Africa for top-class sparring, among them Ross Puritty. Sanders beat the chunky American for the WBU title in 1997, but more telling is that Puritty is the only man to have defeated Klitschko.
Puritty won by an 11th-round TKO in 1998. Klitschko was comfortably ahead on the scorecards, but he literally collapsed from exhaustion.
"This fight, even though I lost, made me stronger," he said. "I feel that I won because I learned so much. I did not have the proper focus or concentration. I did not prepare mentally and physically the way I should have and I ran out of gas. I was only 22. I was arrogant and I paid the price."
Berman, who confirmed the deal on Friday, said this underlined the credibility of SA fighters. SA featherweight champion Takalani Ndlovu is also due to appear on the undercard.
"If he [Sanders] wins, it opens up all possibilities. We'd then be looking at someone like Evander Holyfield and maybe even do something big at Robben Island. Corrie knows, this is the big one, but it's probably also his final opportunity. He can't blow it."
www.superboxing.co.za
South Africa's Corrie Sanders will fight Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO heavyweight title in Hannover, Germany, on March 8.
News of the match-up was announced in Germany on Friday, hours after Lennox Lewis had said he would fight Mike Tyson and both Klitschko brothers before retiring.
Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman has confirmed the arrangements, saying the bout would be one of the most significant in SA heavyweight history.
"If Corrie wins, he'll be one of the top three of four heavyweights in the world," Berman said.
The fight will be televised live on SuperSport, a spokesman for the Channel of Champions confirmed on Friday.
Sanders was over the moon after hearing the news on Friday morning. "This is a chance I have to grab with both hands," he said. "Wladimir is a good boxer, but I know I can beat him.
"I know it depends on myself. That's why I'm going to train very, very hard. I'm just so happy to get this opportunity.
"The Klitschko brothers hit hard, but I'm positive about this bout. Being a southpaw may be an advantage and Wladimir's height and reach advantage should not be too much of a factor. I have watched tapes of his fights; he seems rather upright, but there's no question he can hit," Sanders said.
"My last fight was in the US in November and I'm reasonably fit after the holidays. We are going to get some good sparring partners; maybe even Ross Puritty, who I beat in '97."
Klitschko has only one loss on his record (40-1; 37 stoppages). Sanders (38-2; 29 stoppages), has seen some of the top heavyweights duck out of fights against him. Stopping 18 of his opponents in the first round has not helped him getting a surfeit of offers. Now he has landed the big one.
German promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl said on Friday: �Sanders has beaten a number of strong opponents, many of them by knockout in the first round. He has an impressive record.�
Kohl feels Sanders is a better fighter than Kirk Johnson or Fres Oquendo, two other heavyweights who he took into consideration as possible challengers for Wladimir.
Sanders� only loss in nine years as a professional was against Hasim Rahman, who later knocked out Lennox Lewis.
It will be the sixth defence of his title for Klitschko and he will meet Sanders in the Preussag Arena in Hannover.
In his last defence, on December 7 last year, Klitschko beat Jameel McCline. He won the WBO belt in October 2000 when he beat Chris Byrd, now the IBF champion, on points.
www.fightnews.com
Wladimir Klitschko will defend his WBO heavyweight title on March 8 against Corrie Sanders at the huge Preussag Arena in Hannover, Germany. A former WBU champion, Sanders (38-2, 28 KOs) got the nod over Kirk Johnson and Fres Oquendo according to promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl. The South African southpaw's only loss in the past nine years came against Hasim Rahman on an HBO televised fight. Klitschko (40-1, 37 KOs) will be making the sixth defense of his WBO belt.
1/30/2003
