John Tate vs. Gerrie Coetzee was a professional match contested on October 20, 1979, for the vacant WBA heavyweight title.
Background After regaining the WBA heavyweight title from Leon Spinks in September 1978, Muhammad Ali mulled retirement, explaining he would hold on to the title for six months before announcing whether he would continue fighting or retire.Ali, Upstaging Holmes, Hints Retirement Again, N.Y. Times article, 1978-11–10, Retrieved on 2026-03-27 Ali had seemingly decided to continue his career as his promoter Bob Arum had entered into negotiations with newly crowned WBA light heavyweight champion, who had upset long-reigning champion Víctor Galíndez on the Spink–Ali II undercard.Ali‐Rossman: Ethnic Matchup, N.Y. Times article, 1978-11–06, Retrieved on 2026-03-27 However, though Ali was offered a $12 million payday to either take the Rossman fight or face Duane Bobick instead, he ultimately passed on both fights, citing the sizable weight difference between him and Rossman and the perceived difference in class between him and Bobick stating he did not want to be criticized for fighting "a light heavyweight champion" or "a bum just for the money."Ali Didn't Really Need the Mike, N.Y. Times article, 1979-03–09, Retrieved on 2026-03-27
After months of deliberation, Ali would officially announce his retirement in late June 1979, vacating the WBA heavyweight title in the process.Ali Again Retires; Says He Means It, N.Y. Times article, 1979-06–27, Retrieved on 2026-03-27 Just weeks after Ali's retirement, Arum would announce that the WBA's two top-ranked heavyweight contenders, John Tate and Gerrie, would face each other for the vacant WBA heavyweight title in Coetzee's native South Africa on October 20, at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Arum would admit to paying a still-undecided Ali $300,000 in order to persuade him to retire so Arum could officially announce the Tate–Coetzee fight.Reluctant Ali paid $300,000 to announce his retirement, Lakeland Ledger article, 1979-07–16, Retrieved on 2026-03-27
Arum, anticipating Ali's retirement had already organized a four-man, two-night tournament between four heavyweight contenders before Ali's retirement announcement. The first fight, held on June 2, between Tate and South African Kallie Knoetze, ended with Tate knocking out the Knoetze, the then-number-one ranked heavyweight in the eighth round, propelling Tate to becoming ranked as the number-one heavyweight.Tate Stops Knoetze in 8th Round, N.Y. Times article, 1979-06–03, Retrieved on 2026-03-28 Coetzee would win the second fight on June 24, knocking out Spinks, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, in the first round.Spinks Stopped in First Round, N.Y. Times article, 1979-06–25, Retrieved on 2026-03-28 Arum opted to hold the fight in South Africa after promising South African business magnate Sol Kerzner, who helped Arum organize the Tate–Knoetze fight in Bophuthatswana earlier in the year, that he would do so if either of the South African contenders; Coetzee or Knoetze, won their respective fights against Spinks and Tate.Arum Believes Participation, Not Boycotts, N.Y. Times article, 1979-10–14, Retrieved on 2026-03-28
The decision to hold the fight in South Africa was controversial due to the apartheid laws the country had in place at the time, which segregated white and black South Africans. A group of anti-apartheid demonstrators, including Jesse Jackson organized a "stop the fight" campaign, protesting Arum's decision to hold the fight in South Africa and NBC for agreeing to air the bout on its network. Arum defended his decision, stating that he had "firm assurances" from South African Minister of Sport, Punt Jansen, that for the first time in its history, the Loftus Versfeld Stadium would be fully integrated, as would all future boxing matches held in the country.Tate Fight Set Oct. 20 In Pretoria, N.Y. Times article, 1979-07–12, Retrieved on 2026-03-27
The bout drew an audience of 81,000 which produced a gate of $3.36 million, making it one of the highest attended, behind only "The Long Count Fight" between Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey, and most profitable boxing events at the time.Knoxville's Forgotten Champion: Big John Tate, 'WBIR-TV article, 2022-02–17, Retrieved on 2026-03-29
Fight details Tate would earn the victory via a 15-round unanimous decision, being named the winner by all three judges with scores of 148–145, 147–144 and 147–142.
The fight started slowly as, both fighters fought cautiously in the first several rounds, neither landing any substantial offense until the final seconds of the third round when Coetzee staggered Tate with a one-two combination, forcing Tate to clinch to survive the round. Coetzee would stagger Tate again early in the following round with a left hook, nearly scoring a knockdown as an off-balance Tate nearly touched the canvas with his left glove. Tate would regain his composure after those close calls and outboxed Coetzee, especially during the later rounds to earn the victory.Tate Outpoints Coetzee in South Africa for W.B.A. Title, N.Y. Times article, 1979-10–21, Retrieved on 2026-03-28
Fight card Confirmed bouts: Weight class Weight vs. Method Round NotesHeavyweight200+ lbs.John Tatedef.Gerrie CoetzeeUD15Welterweight147 lbs.Harold Volbrecht (c)def.David KambulePTS12Light Middleweight154 lbs.Rubén Pardo def.Gert SteynTKO5/10Heavyweight200+ lbs.Kallie Knoetzedef.Randy StephensKO3/10Heavyweight200+ lbs.Jimmy Abbottdef.Walter SantemoreTKO6/10Light Heavyweight175 lbs.Theunis Kokdef.Mervin SmitKO1/8Heavyweight200+ lbs.Dwain Bondsdef.Robbie WilliamsPTS6Featherweight126 lbs.Bashew Sibacadef.Jey NardoPTS6
Broadcasting Country Broadcaster NBC
References