He challenged once for the WBO World Heavyweight title in 1989. du Plooy had a very impressive amateur record of 196-4.
The tall 6'3 South African boxer began his career in 1985 with 17 straight wins.
He later avenged this defeat by knocking out Mike Weaver in two rounds and in 1989 challenged Francesco Damiani for the vacant WBO heavyweight title.
After this, he fought 15 more fights, compiling an overall record of 27 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw.
All of du Plooy's losses were stoppages to known opponents such as Renaldo Snipes, Francesco Damiani, Pierre Coetzer, and Corrie Sanders.