Coetzee Is Knocked Out of Contention by Bruno at 1:50 of First Round

Britain’s Frank Bruno knocked out South African Gerrie Coetzee just 1 minute 50 seconds into the first round of their scheduled 12-round elimination fight Tuesday night at London’s Wembley Arena and establish a challenger for what could become a vacant World Boxing Assn. heavyweight title.

Bruno knocked down the 30-year-old South African twice, the second time unleashing a hard right that left Coetzee, the former WBA champion, spread-eagled through the ropes.

WBA champion Tim Witherspoon could be stripped of the title because traces of marijuana were found in his blood after he had won the title from Tony Tubbs in January. A hearing on Witherspoon’s situation will be held Friday in Philadelphia.