Muhammad Ali vs. Mike Schutte ~ Proposed as 'The Singapore Sling'

[Bill Paxtom]

December 14, 1976

Muhammad Ali is slated to defend his World Championship against South African Heavyweight - Mike 'The Tank' Schutte.

Fight contracts have already been signed, and a proposed date has been slated for March 1976.

The bout is to be held in Singapore, and the Ali Camp has stated that a 'secret' Indonesian Promoter has put up
$5,000,000 as the fight purse.

The Fight Promoters have already printed up literature, and have labeled the bout as > "The Singapore Sling"

Muhammad Ali has also signed contracts to defend against >
* Duane Bobick........ Slated for February 1977
* Earnie Shavers...... Slated for March 1977

From his home in Louisville, Muhammad Ali stated that it was 'defintely' going to be Mike Schutte next.
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Mike 'The Tank' Schutte, the #2 South African Heavyweight behind Gerrie Coetzee, is also ranked as the
#10 WBA Heavyweight.

The 26 year-old South African is a 6' 0" 260 lb. burtly sort who resembles a 'bar-bouncer', who carries a big punch
along with a rough-house brawling style.

Mike has a record of 33-6-1 with {25 KO's}, and has won 15-of-16 over the past 20-Months, losing only to
Gerrie Coetzee by Disqualification {L Disq. 6} on August 16, 1976 in his only set-back

In his most recent performance {October 5, 1976}, Mike won a 'solid' 10-Round Decision over Rodney Bobick, who is
also Muhammad Ali's sparring-partner.

Schutte, a 5 1/2 year Professional won the South African Heavyweight Title back on September 13, 1975 when he
defeated {W Dec 12} Jimmy Richards.

Schuttle then lost the Title to Gerrie Coetzee on August 16, 1976.

Mike also has quality wins over >
* July 9, 1976 .......... W Dec 10 .... Guiseppe 'Bepi' Ros
* May 22, 1976 ......... KO 3 ........... Rudi Lubbers
* May 4, 1976 ........... KO 3 .......... Terry Hinke
* March 15, 1976 ...... KO 4 .......... 'Irish' Pat Duncan
* January 26, 1976 ... TKO 7 ......... Jose 'King' Roman

[Bill Paxtom]

December 18, 1976

Alan Toweel, the Manager of South African Heavyweight - Mike Schutte >

If the 'money' from Singapore is not there, we can hold the bout here in Johannesburg.

We have $2,000,000 on-the-table for Muhammad Ali to come here. We believe that we
can hold the bout here in 5 or 6 Months, in April or May of 1977.

Mike, who last fought on October 5, 1976 {against Rodney Bobick} would probably have
another tune-up first, before challenging Muhammad Ali.

I don't want Mike to be out of the Ring for 6+ Months when he steps into the Ring with
the Champion.

We think we would put Mike back in the Ring in {February}, possibly against American -
Chuck Wepner or Belgian Heavyweight - Jean-Pierre Coopman.
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Mike Schutte >

"I cannot match Muhammad Ali in boxing skills, but he cannot match me in power. He's an
old man now, and he has been beaten up some."

"I'll need a few Rounds to get inside. But when I do, look out. I'll wear him down by going
to the body. Nobody can take my body punches. I may not knock him out, but I'll be the
one throwing the harder punches."

[Bill Paxtom]

Mike 'The Tank' Schutte

Very popular in his home country of South Africa, and everybody's favorite brawler.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ February 19, 1977


Wembley Stadium ~ Johannesburg, South Africa

Mike Schutte ~ 33-6-1 {25 KO's} ~ 257 lbs.
vs.
Chuck Wepner ~ 33-11-2 {15 KO's} ~ 227 lbs.
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~ 'South African' Mike Schutte Pounds 'American' Chuck Wepner ~

~ Schutte Wins, Ali Fight Next ? ~

Burly 26 year-old South African - Mike Schutte used a thudding body attack to defeat
38 year-old Amercan veteran Chuck Wepner over 10 'bloody' Rounds.

Schutte, giving up nearly 5" in height, had some difficulty with the reach disadvantage in
the early going, as the 'Brawler from Bayonne' was ale to score with left-jabs and clubbing
right-hands.

But by Round 4, Schutte was able to bull his way inside, and the South African used his size
{+30 lbs.} to maul Wepner backwards.

The South African swung with wide left-hooks and right-hand power punches into Wepner's
body during Rounds 5 and 6.

The American looked worn down by the end of Round 6, and retaliated with rough fighting
and 'Rabbit Punching'.

In Round 7, Schutte 'tagged' Wepner in the face several times, and blood started to flow
from a bad-cut over Wepner's left-eye. Schutte nearly dropped Wepner at the end of
the Round with a vicious 'left-right' to the body that bucked the veteran Heavyweights
knee's.

Schutte pounded Wepner's body unmercifully in Round 8, and also turned the American's
face into a crimson-mess by landing several wide-hooks to Wepner's eyes.

Referee - Stanly Christodoulou looked in several times, and nearly jumped in to stop
the 'gory' brawl, but the American held on, and rallied over the last 15-Seconds of
Round 8.

The South African regained control in Round 9, and dominated the last 2-Rounds,
as Wepner was content to hold-and-grab to survive, while Schutte slammed away with
heavy body-blows.

The Associated Press scored the bout {6-2-2} in Rounds for Mike Schutte.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 21, 1977

~ Springbok Boxing Enterprises ~

~ Hopes for Muhammad Ali and Mike Schutte Set for April 29th ~

Mike Schutte >

"I was told back in December 1976, that I was next for Ali. We were all set. Then they
told me that I would have to defeat an American Heavyweight that was rated in the
Top 20."

"Well, I just beat up #19 WBA-ranked Chuck Wepner pretty bad. Now, I'm told to
wait another 4-Months."

"I guess the Champion doesn't want to come to South Africa. That is a shame, as this
could be a wonderful event for our Country."

[Master]

The anticipation is killing me. What happened?

[Bill Paxtom]

The anticipation is killing me. What happened?

On February 23, 1977 >

Muhammad Ali stated that he would require approval from all of the African Nations
first, before going into South Africa.

On March 9, 1977 > The word was ............ "NO"

Then, the South African Boxing Board of Control demanded that South African Champion -
Gerrie Coetzee to defend his Title against the #1 South African Heavyweight - Mike Schutte
on April 16, 1977.
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Mike 'The Tank' Schutte >

"If I cannot fight for the World Championship, then I want my country's Championship."

"When I defeat Gerrie Coetzee on April 16th, then I will have more clout. We still have a
Fight Promoter in Singapore who is willing to put up $5,000,000 for Muhammad Ali to
fight me."

[Bill Paxtom]

Mike 'The Tank' Schutte

Box/Rec has Mike incorrectly listed at 6' 5" in height..........

Mike Schutte stood at 6' 0", and had a reach of 71".

He was a thick barrel-chested guy, with a heavy torso. Typical brawler/puncher.

But, for a thick-heavy guy, he had surprisingly fast-hands, and was quick.
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Fact >

After losing to Gerrie Coetzee on April 16, 1977 for the South African Heavyweight
Championship >

Mike was being mentioned as an opponent for former Champion - Joe Frazier who was
thinking of making a comeback in South Africa in July 1977.