It has been reported that one of South Africa’s most exciting light heavyweights, Theunis Kok, passed away after suffering a heart attack at the age of 65.
Kok, a former Natal light heavyweight champion, fought out of the Natal and made his pro debut on 27 February 1978 at the West Ridge Tennis Stadium in Durban, winning on a third-round knockout against William Mandyu.
This exciting and powerful knockout puncher, who fought from the southpaw stance, went on to score wins over Johan Ticky Nel (ko 1), Kid Jackson Hlongwana (ko 2), Bruce McIntyre (w 6 – McIntyre would go on to win the South African middleweight title), Willem Smily Giesing (tko 1), Vedat Akova (tko 6), Mervin Smit (ko 1) and Martin Barnard (tko 1) before being matched with Dwight Muhammad Qawi (Braxton).
The fight took place at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban on 4 February 1980 and Kok’s management underestimated the power of Braxton, who had a record of 5-1-1 at the time.
A report in SA Boxing World Magazine from March 1980 read, "The writing was on the wall from the moment the “mystery man” from Philadelphia stormed out of his corner and launched one of the most savage attacks seen in a South Africa ring. Disaster arrived in the 10th round. Within 19 seconds of the round, Braxton slammed a short right cross to the head and Kok folded into a helpless heap on the canvas to be counted out by referee Peter Conradt."
Qawi would go on to win the WBC light heavyweight and WBA cruiserweight world titles.
Putting this disaster behind him, Kok returned to action 15 months later to stop James Mathatho in three rounds. Mathotho was a good fighter who at one time held the South African light heavyweight and heavyweight titles.
He then lost to Dave Lee Rodgers and scored wins over Jonas Malan, Johannes Champion Mokone and Leonardo Rodgers before losing to the capable American, Randy Stevens (l tko 8).
The rugged Kok won against Solomon Zuma but lost to Piet Crous (rtd 6) – who would win the South African and WBA light heavyweight titles.
He then scored a victory over Willem van der Merwe (ko 6) to claim the Natal light heavyweight title.
However, in his last fight on 20 June 1983 in a return match with Solomon Zuma, he was stopped in the seventh round to lose the Natal light heavyweight title.
Kok finished his career with a creditable record of 14-5; 12 after meeting some of the toughest light heavyweights around at the time.