Johnny Du Plooy

[Seamus]

What was the deal with this guy? He won 196 out of 200 amateur fights and then went on to an underwhelming pro career and pretty much quit by 30.

On tape, he looks good at times, demonstrates a nice uppercut and right, and at other times just squares up and throws like a barroom brawler.

I seem to remember rumors of him being a prodigious partier.

Forgive my interest in burned-up, never-was, South African fighters but they had cool hair and mustaches.

[mr. magoo]

Johnny Du Plooy vs Pierre Coetzer.. This was a great little slugfest for two rounds.


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[My2Sense]

Talented prospect who lacked the heart/durability/dedication to make good on any potential he might've had. A familiar story.

[Stevie G]

Was this the guy that Muhammad Ali nearly fought,in 1972 ? Ali was on the verge of fighting in South Africa during that year.

[anarci]

Was this the guy that Muhammad Ali nearly fought,in 1972 ? Ali was on the verge of fighting in South Africa during that year. No Duplooy came way after in the mid 80s he split 2 fights with a faded Weaver. Big puncher but every time hed get a good win hed run into a setback was more of a top 20 heavyweight,or fringe contender at best.

[Stevie G]

No Duplooy came way after in the mid 80s he split 2 fights with a faded Weaver. Big puncher but every time hed get a good win hed run into a setback was more of a top 20 heavyweight,or fringe contender at best.
Thanks. Who then,was the boxer that Muhammad Ali was going to fight over there,in '72 ? It would have been too early for Gerrie Coetzee or Kalli Knoetze.

[mr. magoo]

With a better defense and studier chin, he might have been serious challenger. But, his limitations kept him from truly reaching the world stage.

[kenmore]

Thanks. Who then,was the boxer that Muhammad Ali was going to fight over there,in '72 ? It would have been too early for Gerrie Coetzee or Kalli Knoetze.

You're probably thinking of tentative plans to match Ali against Mike Schutte in 1976 or 1977. For whatever reason, the deal never materialized.

Schutte was a contemporary of Coetzee and Knoetze, and he was inferior to both. During the 1976-77 period, however, Schutte was still ranked higher than Coetzee and Knoetze, who were just starting their careers.

In 1975 and 1976, Schutte won a string of victories against well known "B" level fighters, such as Joe "King" Roman, Rodney Bobick, Obie English, and others. Thus, Schutte's name was always in the magazines, and he was probably top 20 material with the WBC and WBA.