Gerrie Coetzee vs Pinklon Thomas

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COETZEE AND THOMAS IN DRAW By Michael Katz, the New York Times, January 23, 1983 ATLANTIC CITY, Jan. 22 — Gerrie Coetzee of South Africa and Pinklon Thomas of Philadelphia fought to a 10-round draw today that kept both contenders in line for heavyweight title bouts. Or, as Leon Spinks said after being held to a draw two and a half years ago by Eddie (Animal) Lopez: "A draw doesn't hurt. Nobody wins, nobody loses and everybody gets to fight another day." After the tough nationally televised bout today at the Sands Hotel and Casino, both fighters expressed satisfaction with the result. Coetzee, who lost a highly disputed decision to Renaldo Snipes in 1981, was understandably worried before the announcement. "I was scared I was going to lose it," he said. "I thought I won, but I think it was a very fair decision. I appreciate it very much. As a sportsman, I would like to give Pinklon Thomas a rematch." The undefeated Thomas, who rallied strongly after opening a cut over Coetzee's left eye in the eighth round, admitted he was behind early, but he thought he had pulled out the victory. He said he was "pleased with the decision." "It beats a loss," he added. Two of the three judges - Frank Brunette (5 rounds each) and Richard Murray (4-4-2) scored the bout a draw. They thus overruled Judge Paul Cavaliere, who had Coetzee ahead, 5-4-1. The referee, who was Larry Hazzard, no longer scores in New Jersey. Despite many solid punches landed by the two big men - Coetzee was 221 3/4 pounds, Thomas 211 1/2 - there were no knockdowns. However, a short overhand right by Thomas in the eighth round opened a nasty cut over Coetzee's left eye. There was much bleeding, but it managed to stay out of the South African's eye. Coetzee needed 13 stitches to close the cut. Thomas, meanwhile, suffered a bruise under his left eye in the opening round and the bruise swelled considerably. In their careers, both men had suffered broken bones in both hands. Coetzee, in fact, was making his first appearance since breaking the metarcarpal bone of his right hand last fall. The injury forced a postponement of an Oct. 20 date with Thomas. The South African, who has moved to nearby Brigantine, N.J., returned home to heal his wound, and reports from South Africa were that his hand was still not at full strength. He admitted after the fight that he had to "shrink" his training schedule because of the hand. "It had a psychological effect," Coetzee said. "I didn't want to look scared and pull out of the fight a second time." Coetzee dominated the early rounds as Thomas threw few punches, waiting to counter. But knowing he was behind, Thomas opened up in the eighth and from then on repeatedly caught Coetzee with solid lead rights, followed by solid left hooks. The heavyweight division is such that fighters with two broken hands can be legitimate contenders. Coetzee is ranked No. 1 by the World Boxing Association and thus will eventually be a mandatory challenger for Michael Dokes, the champion. However, Dokes first must fight a rematch with Mike Weaver, ordered by the W.B.A., which ruled that their first bout, a one-round knockout, was stopped too hastily. The 27-year-old Coetzee, who has a 28-3-1 record, is unranked by the rival World Boxing Council, which refuses to recognize South Africans because of that country's apartheid policy. He is applying for permanent residence in the United States, a move that he hopes might lead to Larry Holmes, the W.B.C. champion, fighting him. Thomas, ranked No. 7 by both organizations, has a 20-0-1 record.