Jan Kies, a former South African middleweight champion boxer known for his exciting performances and powerful southpaw stance in the 1970s, has died at the age of 76.
Kies began his professional boxing career with a bang on March 31, 1969, knocking out Herbie Blom in the first round.
Despite a setback in his fourth fight, losing to former national middleweight champion Johnny Wood, Kies’s career quickly gained momentum.
He went on to remain undefeated in his next ten matches.
The highlights of his career came in 1972 when Kies defeated several notable international fighters.
In 1973, he clinched the South African middleweight title, beating Dominic Germishuys in a closely fought rematch.
Despite facing defeat later that year, Kies continued to defend his title successfully in 1974.
The following years saw a mix of victories and losses for Kies, including a notable defeat for the vacant South African “Supreme” middleweight title in 1976 and the loss of the South African “White” middleweight title in 1977.
After announcing his retirement, Kies briefly returned to the ring, securing a few more wins before facing defeats that led to the end of his active boxing career in 1978.
Kies concluded his boxing journey with a record of 31 wins, 11 losses and 21 victories by knockout.
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: The late great Jan Kies.
Image source: Facebook
