Former South African heavyweight boxing champion, Mike "The Tank" Schutte (57) passed away in Vanderbijlpark on Monday morning.
He had been ill with cancer for some time, it was confirmed by boxing publicist Terry Pettifer.
Schutte, who was trained by the late Alan Toweel, will mostly be remembered for his epic fights with fellow South Africans Jimmy Richards, Kallie Knoetze and Gerrie Coetzee.
He was an underrated heavyweight who came within a whisker of fighting the inimitable Muhammad Ali during the mid-seventies.
He won the SA heavyweight title from Richards in 1975 and lost the title to Coetzee the following year. Schutte also fought and beat the likes of Cookie Wallace, Chuck Wepener, Joe "King" Roman, Obie English, Terry Hinke, Pat Duncan, Neil Malpass, Bill Carlson and Rudi Lubbers.
Schutte made his professional debut in May 1971 when he stopped Doug de Wet and remained undefeated in his next 13 fights before losing on a disqualification to Johnny Britz.
His five-fight series with Richards were like wars. In 1972, Schutte outpointed Richards twice but lost to him in April 1974 and February 1975 when challenging for the national heavyweight title.
On 13 September 1975, in another memorable fight, he again beat Richards on points to become the champion.
In April 1977, in arguably the dirtiest fight ever seen in a South African ring, Schutte lost his SA title to a young Coetzee when he was disqualified in the sixth round.
In a return match in April 1977, he was outpointed over 12 rounds and in August the same year he was knocked out in the second round by Knoetze.
After outpointing Neil Malpass from England on 18 June 1979, Schutte announced his retirement from the ring to finish with a record of 38 fights, nine defeats, two draws and 28 wins.
He later turned to professional wrestling and added to his fan base as a musical entertainer. He also appeared in television adverts as well as a few comedy films.
No funeral details have been released.
He had been ill with cancer for some time, it was confirmed by boxing publicist Terry Pettifer.
Schutte, who was trained by the late Alan Toweel, will mostly be remembered for his epic fights with fellow South Africans Jimmy Richards, Kallie Knoetze and Gerrie Coetzee.
He was an underrated heavyweight who came within a whisker of fighting the inimitable Muhammad Ali during the mid-seventies.
He won the SA heavyweight title from Richards in 1975 and lost the title to Coetzee the following year. Schutte also fought and beat the likes of Cookie Wallace, Chuck Wepener, Joe "King" Roman, Obie English, Terry Hinke, Pat Duncan, Neil Malpass, Bill Carlson and Rudi Lubbers.
Schutte made his professional debut in May 1971 when he stopped Doug de Wet and remained undefeated in his next 13 fights before losing on a disqualification to Johnny Britz.
His five-fight series with Richards were like wars. In 1972, Schutte outpointed Richards twice but lost to him in April 1974 and February 1975 when challenging for the national heavyweight title.
On 13 September 1975, in another memorable fight, he again beat Richards on points to become the champion.
In April 1977, in arguably the dirtiest fight ever seen in a South African ring, Schutte lost his SA title to a young Coetzee when he was disqualified in the sixth round.
In a return match in April 1977, he was outpointed over 12 rounds and in August the same year he was knocked out in the second round by Knoetze.
After outpointing Neil Malpass from England on 18 June 1979, Schutte announced his retirement from the ring to finish with a record of 38 fights, nine defeats, two draws and 28 wins.
He later turned to professional wrestling and added to his fan base as a musical entertainer. He also appeared in television adverts as well as a few comedy films.
No funeral details have been released.
NicknameThe Tank Schutte "Big" Mike Schutte
Height6' 5" (1.96 m)
Trivia
Heavyweight boxing contender from South Africa in the 1970s.
Defeated heavyweight contender Chuck Wepner.
Defeated heavyweight contender Jose "King" Roman.
Knocked out by heavyweight contender Duane Bobick.
Fought professionally from 1971 to 1979.
Had a boxing record of 38-9-2 with 28 knockout wins.
In 1976 retired after defeating Neil Malpass.
Scored 9 first round knockout victories.
Undefeated in his first 14 bouts. South African Heavyweight Champion from September 1975 to August 1976.
Height6' 5" (1.96 m)
Trivia
Heavyweight boxing contender from South Africa in the 1970s.
Defeated heavyweight contender Chuck Wepner.
Defeated heavyweight contender Jose "King" Roman.
Knocked out by heavyweight contender Duane Bobick.
Fought professionally from 1971 to 1979.
Had a boxing record of 38-9-2 with 28 knockout wins.
In 1976 retired after defeating Neil Malpass.
Scored 9 first round knockout victories.
Undefeated in his first 14 bouts. South African Heavyweight Champion from September 1975 to August 1976.
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