Corrie Sanders, former heavyweight champ, murdered in South Africa

Corrie Sanders, who held the WBO heavyweight title and fought both Klitschko brothers in 2003-04, was murdered in South Africa on Saturday, fatally shot during an armed robbery. He was 46 years old.

Sanders, who last fought in 2008, retired from active duty in the sport with a career record of 42-4 with 31 knockout wins. Of course, no night was greater in his career than when he floored Wladimir Klitschko three times before stopping him at 27 seconds of the second round, winning the WBO heavyweight title on March 8, 2003, in Germany.

He didn't fight again for a year, before facing Vitali Klitschko, losing by stoppage in the eighth round in Los Angeles.

Sanders was well known for his big power and his short nights at work. A southpaw with speed and boxing ability, he had thunder in his fists, leading to 29 of his 31 stoppage wins coming in the first three rounds of a fight, with another in four rounds, and his other stoppage in the sixth round. He was also stopped in each of his losses.

Only seven times in his 46-fight career did Sanders go 10 rounds or more, and only once did he go 12 rounds, in 1997 with Ross Puritty, coincidentally himself a winner over Wladimir in 1998. Sanders won the decision against Puritty.

Bad Left Hook sends our condolences and best wishes out to the family and loved ones of Mr. Corrie Sanders at this time.