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Back injury stops Sanders
02/02/2005 22:24 - (SA)
Michael Green, Die Burger
Port Elizabeth - "This is not how I wanted to end my boxing career, but maybe my back injury is a sign that I must stop."
This is the view of South African heavyweight boxer Corrie Sanders after returning from Germany. He would have fought Lance Whitaker of the US on March 19.
The winner of that bout would probably have fought Vitali Klitschko for the World Boxing Council's title.
Sanders said: "It is possible that I did not warm up properly before I went for a jog and it was icy cold in Germany. Actually, I have been battling with this back injury for a while and it is very uncomfortable."
Sanders acknowledged that he did not feel like boxing anymore and that he thought this was now the last straw.
The 39-year-old Sanders won 40 of his 43 fights with knockouts. He was beaten only by Klitschko, Hasim Rahman and Nate Tubbs.
Sanders said: "I can look back on a career with quite a number of highlights."
He won the World Boxing Union's title in 1997 by beating the tough Ross Puritty on points.
Sanders successfully defended this title three times before losing to Rahman in 2000.
Sanders caused a sensation in March 2003 when he knocked out Vladimir Klitschko in the second round to win the World Boxing Organisation's title.
Sanders said: "The fight against Vladimir was definitely a highlight."
He would also not forget the match against Johnny du Plooy in 1991 when he knocked him out in the first round to become SA champion.
"I want to give more attention to my game farm near Thabazimbi and maybe start playing golf seriously," Sanders said.
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