Retired South African boxer CORRIE SANDERS "was shot and killed Sunday, as he celebrated with family and friends the 21st birthday of his daughter" at a Pretoria, South Africa restaurant, according to SPORT1.de. The former World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Union heavyweight champion "was at Brits restaurant as armed men robbed the place and shot Sanders." A South African police spokesperson said, "They shot and then stole the bag of a guest and the cell phone of the daughter." Sanders' boxing career highlight was his victory against Ukrainian WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO on March 8, 2003 (SPORT1.de, 9/23). Sanders' former boxing Trainer HAROLD VOLBRECHT said, "I took over as his trainer for his first professional fight [against King Kong Dyubele in April '89]. I flew to Cape Town, where Corrie stayed at the time, to watch the fight, and I brought him back with me [to Benoni] afterward. He was like a son to me" (MG.co.za, 9/24). The INDEPENDENT ONLINE wrote that boxer VITALY KLITSCHKO also paid a tribute, saying Sanders had a "dangerous" style of boxing. Klitschko said, "Corrie Sanders was the most difficult opponent I ever fought." Unlike many other South African boxers who moved to the U.S. to further their careers, Sanders chose to stay in South Africa, saying in an interview a few weeks ago that he "never considered leaving." Sanders said, "I loved this country too much to move to the U.S. like other boxers. It might sound strange, but I felt I had more black fans than white. I think the two big sports in the black community are boxing and soccer, and whenever I was out and about, they would stop me and want to chat. That was always very humbling" (IOL.co.za, 9/24).
