November, 28, 2006

Sanders officially back and targeting titles

By Deon Potgieter

TheSweetScience.com

There are not many heavyweights around today who can be described as having an exciting boxing style, and in all honesty Corrie Sanders is the only one who immediately comes to mind. Although the former WBO and WBU world heavyweight champion claims not to be a fan of fighting, when he climbs in the ring he's ready to rumble. It's not a case of let's play tag for 12 rounds or jab, jab, jab, please don't hit me. His intentions are clear and if you're not ready to swing some leather, watch out! Sanders comes to fight.

The big South African returned on Friday night with a bang when he stopped Australian heavyweight champion Colin Wilson in two rounds. It was a brawl from the get-go as both men threw caution to the wind and went for the jugular. Sanders still has amazing hand speed and is not afraid to take what his opponent has to offer. In a refreshing switch in the second round, Sanders, who some say is only a head hunter, switched his attack to the 6'5" Australian's body and landed some explosive blows to his midriff. It was a left to Wilson's body which introduced him to the canvas and left him unable to continue.

In the early part of the last century, if you defeated the champion of another country, you became their champion. If only that was still the case today. Besides his two versions of the world title and the South African title, Sanders would also have been the Russian and Australian champion. On his own admission, prior to this fight Sanders admitted he took the bout on short notice and was not as fit as he would have liked to have been. Perhaps a blessing for Wilson.

There are already strong talks of Sanders receiving a title opportunity against WBA champion Nokolai Valuev. The big money fight would of course be a rematch between Sanders and IBF champion Wladimir Klitscko. The latter has been pushing for a unification series and if Sanders is included in the equation, we could well be in for some exciting times in the heavyweight ranks in 2007.

Sanders will be embarking on a three month training camp to get himself in prime condition. Possibly one more warm-up bout and then he will be targeting the men with the titles. "I can't see anybody on the heavyweight horizon who could conceivably beat me," says Sanders. "Bring it on, let's get some respect back in the heavyweight ranks."

Rumors of a possible return by Vitali Klitschko, who defeated Sanders to win the WBC world title, doesn't phase the man who blew the younger Klitschko away in two rounds to win the WBO version of the belt. "I have a lot of respect for Vitali," says Sanders "Perhaps I had too much for him when we fought. He has an awkward style and was difficult to hit. Instead of focusing on my fight, I allowed him to dictate and paid the price for it. I did shake him early on, but never capitalized on it. During the fight I realized, what I should have done to beat him, but it was too late. If we were to fight again, I'm convinced I could win."

"It's all about conditioning," says Corrie Sanders who turns 41 in January "Look at Evander Hollyfield. If you can put the work in and get in shape, there's no reason why you can't still perform on the highest level. Age is a number. It's about how hard you prepared to work."

With a dearth of credible heavyweight contenders locally, former South African champion Anton Nel will be making a return to the ring in the near future. Already in training, Nel looks in better shape now than he did when he was champion. He's not skilled enough to ever reach the highest level of the sport, but he can bang and certainly is an entertaining fighter. Having said that, that was my opinion of Oleg Maskaev a few years back and now he's the WBC world heavyweight champion. Go figure.

Nov. 25, 2006 Superboxing.co.za./Fightnews.com Sanders wins but Ledwaba fails by Ron Jackson Former WBU and WBO heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders returned to the ring and stopped Australian champion Colin Wilson in the second round in Mmabatho on Friday night. Sanders, back in action after two years, and Wilson met at the Convention Centre. Both came out throwing bombs in what turned out to be a slugfest of a first round. In the second round, the South African southpaw, now nearly 41 years old, began to score with some big shots to the body of the 34-year-old Australian. Midway through the round a left to the body dropped Wilson who was in no condition to continue and the referee stepped in to call the fight off. Sanders will have to get himself into much better condition if he hopes to continue his career. He was breathing heavily at the end of the fight. His record now stands at 41-3, with 31 stoppages. Wilson dropped to 32-19 (20).

Sabcnews.com One step closer to world title for Corrie Sanders November 25, 2006 Corrie Sanders, two times world heavyweight champion, moved a step closer to another crack at the world title when he knocked out Colin Wilson, the Australian heavyweight champion, at Mmabatho Convention Centre last night. After an uneventful first round, Sanders came out smoking in the second and dropped the New Zealandborn Aussie twice with big body blows. It was Sanders' first fight in two years. He says a shoulder injury nearly disrupted his preparations.

November 21, 2006 Corrie Sanders: "Watch out, Wladimir, I'm back!" By Deon Potgieter TheSweetscience.com The man who rocked the heavyweight ranks by demolishing Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds to claim the WBO world heavyweight title in 2003 returns to action on Friday, November 24th. Corrie �The Sniper� Sanders, 40-3 (30), faces Australian heavyweight champion Colin Wilson, 32-18 (20), at the Mabatho Convention Center in his first fight following a two-year layoff. �There are two reasons I'm coming back,� says Sanders. �The first is that I believe I've still got it. The heavyweight division is probably at its lowest ebb it�s ever been and frankly I don't see anybody out there who could beat me. I never took any serious punishment and I'm feeling strong. I've been inundated by people trying to convince me to return these last two years, saying that I could be world champion again, and looking at the current situation, yes, I think I could win the world title.� Sanders last fight was on December 14, 2004 when he stopped Russian champion Alexei Varakin in two rounds in Germany. Varakin, like the younger Klitschko brother, visited the canvass in both the first and second rounds. Although Vitali Klitschko extracted a modicum of revenge by defeating Sanders in eight rounds to claim the WBC world heavyweight title in 2004, the South African southpaw feels Wladimir, who now holds the IBF version of the crown, would be interested in getting back in the ring with him personally. �Of course,� insists Sanders, �I've got to take one step at a time. I first have to beat Wilson. But my goal is to win the world title again and to silence all my critics once and for all.� The Australian is one inch taller than the 6�4� Sanders and, like the South African, is also a southpaw, but has not faced the same caliber of opposition. �I've faced two or three southpaws myself and they are uncomfortable guys to fight,� says Sanders. �But once you�re in the ring, you soon learn how to handle them.� You could be excused for thinking you�re seeing double when looking at Wilson's record. Although he's had 51 fights, he's only faced 17 different boxers, having faced most of his opponents more than once, including four fights against former WBF champion Bob Morovic and three fights against former world title contender Kali Meehan. Another big name on his record is that of veteran Joe Bugner, who he met in 1998. But given his size and high knockout ratio he can't be taken lightly. �I've watched a video of one of his fights and he looks pretty handy in the ring,� Sanders says. �I don't expect him to give me any trouble, but if he does and if he gives me a hiding then obviously I'd have to accept that it�s the end of the road. I can't see that happening though. Losing is not an option. I'm feeling confident and good. Boxing is a mental game and I'm focused on winning. I did take the fight on short notice and have only had a few weeks to prepare so I'm not as fit as I would like to be, but I can definitely go 10 rounds if I have to. After this fight I'll be going into a training camp for three months and then I'll be ready to face anybody out there.� The second reason Sanders is returning is unfortunately as a result of a sad tale which has been told over and over in the sport since it started over a century ago. �My former manager, Vernon Smith, embezzled the majority of my finances from me,� says Sanders. �Prior to my WBC title fight against (Vitali) Klitschko, he conned me into giving him power of attorney. I didn't even know what I was signing. I thought he was my friend. I trusted him. He's basically stolen 18 million rands (+/- 6.5 million US dollars) from me. We're pursuing legal action against him, but he's ducking and diving us on every front. To date I haven't even seen the Klitschko contract which we are trying to get from him. Basically, this guy�s a bastard who I have absolutely no respect for.� Helping Sander's in his corner come fight night is former heavyweight contender Johnny Du Plooy. Sanders defeated Du Plooy at the tail end of the charismatic boxer's career to claim the SA heavyweight title. �Johnny's a great guy.� says Sanders. �There's no hard feelings or issues and we are working well together.� Following this fight Sanders will also be teaming up again with his former trainer Harold Volbrecht. �I've got a lot of respect for Harold and the only reason he's not onboard already is because he's out of the country at present. I'll be working with both Harold and Johnny as we work our way back to a world title.� �The only guy who looks like the real deal amongst the current crop of heavyweight world champions is Wladimir Klitschko,� says James Muleleka of White Velvet promotions, who is promoting the Sanders � Wilson fight, �and Corrie beat him. There's no reason why he can't be at the top of the hill right now.� Sanders has always been too honest for his own good and even though he believes he can clean up the heavyweight division, he admits candidly that if it was not for the Vernon affair he wouldn't be making a comeback. �I've never been a big fan of fighting, but God gave me a talent and that's basically all I know how to do,� says Sanders. �I'm not a jack of all trades. I'm a boxer and that's what I do best.�

November 21, 2006 Superboxing.co.za Corrie can do it, says Du Plooy Former SA heavyweight fighter Johnny du Plooy feels Corrie Sanders can win a third world title to prove that life begins at 40. Sanders, who is making a comeback to the ring, could be only two fights away from a chance to win a third title. The road starts at Mmabatho on Friday night when he fights Australian champion Colin Wilson. "Corrie is looking great," says Du Plooy, who once fought Sanders for the vacant SA title and now handles his training. "He pulled out of boxing two years ago in the middle of management problems that upset his mental outlook. With that behind him he has gone about his comeback with a determination that has to be seen to be believed." Sanders has been assured that victory over Wilson will lead to an elimination for the WBA world title, held by the unbeaten Russian Nikolay Valuev. Sanders sparred with the giant Russian in Johannesburg some years ago and feels he can add the WBA title to the WBU and WBO crowns he has held. "If you remember he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds to win the WBO title, and with Klitschko back as IBF champion, you can see how a fit and ready Sanders slots into the world picture," says Du Plooy. Sanders has also taken on board a new manager, Pretoria property developer Takis Christodoulou. "It's my first time as a manager and I'm not here for the money," said Christodoulou. "I see a rejuvenated fighter who can show life begins at 40. At his age, Corrie still has a few good years in boxing, and I intend to see that he invests wisely from his ring earnings and leaves it eventually with a sound balance to see him through life."

November 21, 2006 Sabcnews.com Sanders makes dramatic return to boxing ring Sanders will meet Australian heavyweight champion, Colin Wilson in Mmabatho Corrie Sanders, the two time heavyweight champion, returns to the ring on Friday after a two year lay off. Sanders will meet Australian heavyweight champion, Colin Wilson in Mmabatho in an elimination bout for the WBA title held by Kikolai Vallery of Russia. Sanders who is former WBU and WBO champion sparred with Kikolai in Johannesburg and has also beaten the current IBF champion Wladimit Klitschko. Sanders is living proof that life begins at 40. There was a hero's welcome for Sanders when he won the WBO title from Klitschko, but his glory days did not last long. First he was stripped of the title and later fought the other Klitschko brother, Vitali, for the vacant title but was no match for the big Ukranian. Now he wants to put his career back on the track with former rival Johnny du Plooy as his new trainer. "I retired... it's a come back obviously. What inspired me is that I just believe the heavyweight division is very weak. I got an opportunity to prove myself again and surprise the world." Sanders says. Johnny du Plooy, his trainer, says Sanders is in a good shape and has done a lot of road work and sparring. This will be the first big tournament in Mmabatho in more than two decades.

November 21, 2006 Fightnews.com Another ex-champ comes back! This time it's Corrie Sanders! 40-year-old former WBO heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders (40-3, 30 KOs) will face Australian titleholder Colin Wilson (32-18, 20 KOs) on Friday in the South African city of Mmabatho, about 12 miles south of the Botswana border. For Sanders, who holds a knockout win over current IBF world champion Wladimir Klitschko, it will be his first fight in two years.

November 12, 2006 Suntimes.co.za Former world heavyweight boxing champion Corrie Sanders, 40, is preparing for a November 24 comeback fight against Australian titleholder Colin Wilson in Mmabatho, North West. The winner is scheduled to get a top-10 WBA ranking. Sanders, who last fought two years ago, is being trained by former foe Johnny du Plooy (he knocked out Du Plooy to win the SA heavyweight belt in 1991). Sanders says his return is motivated partly by money and because he believes the division is weak. He beat reigning IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2003, and in sparring some 10 years ago, he easily handled giant Russian Nikolai Valuev, now the WBA titleholder. �We�ll see. Win or lose, it�s not the end of the world for me,� he said.

South Africa: North West to Host Boxing Extravaganza Lehuma Ntuane www.allAfrica.com For the first time in many years, the North West capital is to host an international boxing extravaganza to position the province as a viable destination for sports in the country. This is also linked to the revival of tourism in the capital which includes the popularisation of recording studios in Mafikeng, the attractive Lotlamoreng Dam and facilities at the Cookes Lake. Over 60 000 people are expected to attend the boxing event when boxing legends Corrie Sanders and Lehlohonolo Ledwaba fight two international fighters, Maxwell Ayoko and Collin Wilson of Ghana at the Mafikeng Convention Centre on 24 November. The North West Parks and Tourism, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, together with the Mafikeng Marketing Partnership Initiative Committee is collaborating with Boxing South Africa, the World Boxing Association and White Velvet Promotions to put up a towering event. The 41-year-old Sanders promised that the event would assist in uplifting the economy of Mafikeng. "It is going to attract many people into the capital city. I have fought at the Sun City Super Bowl and Carousel before but my upcoming fight is the most interesting for me as it will bring so much that I don't know especially the crowd and the different environment. I am looking forward to it," said Sanders. He is originaly from the North West's Madibeng area and is a former world heavy weight champion and will be looking at claiming the title again.

November 2, 2006 I was surfing the net and found this interview with Corrie Sanders from December of 2005. One on one with Corrie Sanders By Deon Potgieter www.Sweetscience.com The last time Corrie Sanders, 40-3 (30 KOs), was in the ring he stopped Russian fighter Alexei Varakin in two rounds in Austria. That was December 14, 2004. A back injury suffered in training a few months later caused the former WBO and WBU world heavyweight champion to call it quits, but he�s contemplating a return. �Look, it wasn�t easy walking away,� says Sanders. �I was getting a lot of attention and there were still a lot of expectations of me. The age factor creeps in as well and when the body starts complaining sometimes it�s best just to stop. I know how hard it must have been for Vitali (Klitschko) to stop, but your health is more important. The saddest thing about Vitali�s situation is that he�s still young enough and given the current crop of boxers around, he could have dominated the division over the next 5 to 7 years. A lot of people have said that if I was ten years younger I would have been the dominant force. Unfortunately I�m not and what�s done is done.� Asked about him possibly returning, Sanders eludes the question: �I�m turning 40 next month and I�m no George Foreman and I don�t want to be a George Foreman. Everybody knows that I�m not a lover of boxing, but to be honest I do miss it. I never thought I would, but there�s something about going to the ring to fight that you just don�t get anywhere else.� When asked to describe his biggest regret, Sanders says �If I could change anything I would have changed my management team earlier in my career. I really feel that I was kept back and not allowed to achieve all I was capable of doing in the ring. Promoters here tend to wrap their boxers in cotton-wool, feed them fighters not up to the task so they can�t develop and only let them out when it�s too late and they�re basically stuck for opportunities. It happened to me; Pierre Coetzer, Sebastian Rothman, Phillip Ndou, the list goes on and on.� A fight Sanders pursued for many years which never came off was against Lennox Lewis. �I always wanted to get Lewis in the ring. I knew I had the beating of him. When I fought [Vitali] Klitschko, Lewis chatted a lot with me and he admitted that they avoided me and were concerned about fighting me. I appreciated that he was prepared to admit it to me personally. It meant that I must have meant something.� Asked about Hasim Rahman being the new WBC world champion, Sanders smiles. �Our fight was rated as one of the fights of the year. Everybody knows what happened there. Rahman�s a solid fighter. He exposed Lewis weakness in South Africa and then Lewis exposed Rahman�s in their return. It was a wakeup call to me when I saw Rahman getting the Lewis fight in South Africa and I knew that it could have been me. I would have liked to have gotten back in the ring with him and who knows anything is possible �� The fight that is most likely to be the one to bring Sanders back into the ring is an all South African affair. There has long been interest in seeing Sanders face-off against former IBF heavyweight champ, Frans �The White Buffalo� Botha. With Botha again residing in South Africa talks are raging and sponsors are showing interest in luring these men back for a final showdown. �Even though I beat him four times in the amateurs people are still keen to see us against each other in the pro ranks,� says Sanders. �He obviously thinks he can beat me and I think I can beat him. It would be good to do it and prove once and for all just who is the best.� Previous showdowns of South Africa�s top heavyweights of their eras have all proven classic clashes with incredible drawing power and local interest: Pierre Coetzer vs. Johny Du Plooy, Gerrie Coetzee vs. Kallie Knoetze, Mike Schutte vs. Jimmy Richards � all great matches worthy of an encore, and there�s no doubt that a Sanders-Botha fight would be an electric affair. �It wouldn�t be about ratings. It would be a fight for the country. But who knows if Rahman steps up after that? Money talks.� Whatever his detractors may think of him, even nearing forty Sanders has one of the fastest pair of hands in the history of the division and can land with authority. When turning pro in 1989 he could run a hundred meters in under 11 seconds and at 6'4" that takes some doing. Had he been groomed properly and unleashed in his prime he may well have impacted on world boxing in a big way. He seems to have made peace with what could have been and looks very comfortable in his skin. �If I could have fought anybody in any era I would have loved to have faced Muhammad Ali. He was also one of the fastest guys ever and it would have been great to compare hand-speed in a fight.� Outside of boxing, Sanders still plays golf when he gets a chance, and although he�s a scratch golfer and has won a number of tournaments, he won�t be turning pro. �Being a professional sportsman at the highest level takes a lot of time and dedication. I�ve been there,� Sanders says. �And it was boxing for me. If I was a pro golfer I would want to compete on that level and don�t feel that I could make the sacrifices needed at this time.� Sanders also has a fledgling game farm with a variety of buck. It was recently gutted by a fire but he�s in the process of rebuilding and plans on developing a few lodges for international visitors. Precious moments for him career-wise are of course his title wins over Johnny Du Plooy (KO 1) for the national title early in his career, defeating Ross Purity (W12) to win the WBU crown, stopping Wladimir Klitschko (TKO 2) for the WBO heavyweight title, and even though he lost he counts his fight against Vitali for the WBC crown (L TKO 8) as something of a highlight as well. On a personal level and clearly more important to him was the birth of his two children, a daughter and a son. �Their births were the most special moments in my life and more than anything I want to be there for them.�

October 31, 2006 At Youtube.com you can find highlights of Corrie Sanders fights.

Sanders believes he can still beat the world�s best Former heavyweight champion and promoter Berman bury the hatchet DAVID ISAACSON WWW.Suntimes.Co.Za April, 2006 CORRIE Sanders will meet his estranged promoter Rodney Berman this week to discuss his planned comeback. The two fell out acrimoniously in late 2003 � after more than a decade together � because of a disagreement over the heavyweight champion�s career path at the time. But now they�re ready to kiss and make up, it seems. There�s much they will have to iron out, from possible contractual disputes to multi-million rand claims against Sanders, but the bottom line is Berman is excited at the prospect of again working with the heavyweight. The Golden Gloves boss, who has been in the US the past few days, said he had discussed Sanders with top American promoter Lou DiBella. Berman�s only prerequisite is that Sanders, 40, be serious about returning to the ring. �It�s no good if he�s just doing it for the money. If his heart is in it, given the state of the heavyweight division, he�s got a chance.� If Sanders can reproduce his trademark speed and power, he will be a factor in a division that has been in confusion since the 2004 retirement of Lennox Lewis. Reigning WBA champion Nikolai Valuev, when he trained briefly with Brian Mitchell in Johannesburg some 10 years ago, was badly outclassed in sparring by Sanders. �Corrie gave him a hiding in the gym,� recalled Harold Volbrecht, who will resume training Sanders. �Brian kept asking him to take it easy ... I�ve seen Valuev fight recently. He�s just big and strong � he hasn�t improved too much since then.� Sanders�s most famous victory was his two-round demolition of then WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko, now the top contender in three of the four major sanctioning bodies. Klitschko this year challenged Chris Byrd for the IBF version of the world heavyweight crown. �Corrie believes � and I agree with him � that he has a chance,� said Volbrecht, adding that Sanders had been doing �a bit of running�. �He will probably start training in the gym next week.� Central to the talks this week will be the validity of Sanders�s contract with German promotional outfit Universum, who staged his last three bouts. The most recent was in December 2004, when he beat Russian no-hoper Alexei Varakin. The other matter is two suits against Sanders. One is by Volbrecht, claiming he was underpaid R1-million for his failed bid against Vitali Klitschko in April 2004. The other is by English promoters SEM, who are demanding R38-million for breach of contract, also arising from the bout against Vitali. In spite of Volbrecht�s looming action, the boxer and the trainer patched up their relationship last year. Now Sanders and Berman look set to do the same. When they fell out, Berman swore he would never again work with the heavyweight. But his bark is worse than his bite � he said the same about trainer Nick Durandt in 1997 and his US-based partner Cedric Kushner in 2001. He has worked with both since.