South African lightweight Simiso Buthelezi has died after suffering bleeding on the brain following a boxing bout at the weekend in Durban.
Durban, South Africa (June 8th, 2022)-– The 24-year-old faced compatriot Siphesihle Mntungwa for the WBF All Africa lightweight title on Sunday, but the 10-round contest was stopped by the referee after Buthelezi appeared to shadow box an invisible opponent.
Mntungwa was declared the winner and Buthelezi subsequently collapsed and was rushed to hospital.
He was placed in an induced coma after it was discovered he had bleeding on the brain.
Boxing South Africa (BSA) confirmed Buthelezi had died on Tuesday evening in a statement jointly issued with the boxer’s family.
They hailed Buthelezi as “a great boxer who was exemplary both outside and inside the ring”, and BSA also said it will undertake an independent medical review of the incident.
“At the hospital, Mr Buthelezi was given the best care possible but he however succumbed to the injury,” the statement said.
“Boxing South Africa will conduct an independent medical review of the injury and will then make public the results of that medical review.
“The Buthelezi family and BSA acknowledge warm words of condolences of the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture.”
Trainer Bheki Mngomezulu said Buthelezi had been in perfect health in the lead-up to the bout.
World Boxing Federation (WBF) Official Statement: Simiso Buthelezi Before His Death
The World Boxing Federation Africa lightweight title fight held in Durban, South Africa on Sunday (June 5) culminated in a somber and upsetting manner.
Two young, talented fighters with the world at their feet, Siphesihle Mntungwa (6-1) and the huge prospect Simiso Buthelezi (4-0) thrilled the large crowd with 9 exciting rounds of boxing with Buthelezi one round away from winning the title, albeit in a close fight.
Then the bizarre happened with twenty seconds left in the final round. Buthelezi inexplicably turned away from his opponent, walked strangely towards his corner and started to throw wild combinations at an invisible foe. Clearly something was not right.
Referee Elroy Marshall responded brilliantly by immediately halting the fight in favor of Mntungwa. Buthelezi then began to have convulsions, and immediately the doctors, medics and other staff were in the ring administering medical assistance.
President Howard Goldberg advised the announcer that while Mntungwa was the official winner, that no belt awarding ceremony would take place given the sensitivity of the situation. Mntungwa was later given the belt in the dressing room and advised as such.
Buthelezi was rushed in an ambulance to the King Edward Hospital’s neurological ward. It was later found that he had a bleed on the brain, and was placed in an induced coma, and passed away
What transpired affected many people at the event, many of whom were in tears. Elroy Marshall did a superb job, as did the entire team of doctors and medics who were present. Promoter Zandile Malinga did everything one hundred percent correctly with regards to medical protocols and procedures for the event.
Boxing is a tough and brutal sport. It is in our blood and we live for the sport. Sadly these things happen and no-one knows why.
The young, well educated Buthelezi made weight at the first attempt, passed all his medicals without any issues and took very little punishment in the fight.
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