[imagesource: Instagram]
Young South African boxer Simiso Buthelezi has tragically died, after sustaining a traumatic head injury during a championship fight in Durban.
On Tuesday, we reported that a frightening moment in the ring left onlookers worried on Buthelezi’s behalf; and, indeed, after being placed in a medically induced coma, the 24-year-old passed away on the evening of the 7th June, according to a statement issued by Boxing South Africa.
As per this article in Fox News, Buthelezi had recently been awarded his degree, with specialisations in zoology and botany.
He was competing in the WBF African lightweight title fight and seemed to be getting the upper hand over his opponent, Siphesihle Mntungwa, when, suddenly, Buthelezi began exhibiting strange behaviour in the ring: swaying confusedly and seeming poised to fight an invisible opponent in the corner.
The referee called an end to the bout, and Buthelezi was rushed to the hospital.
In a horrible turn of events, it seems nothing could be done for the young would-be champion, although at present a precise cause of death has not yet been established.
Buthelezi’s trainer Bheki Mngomezulu remarked to News24 that:
“There wasn’t anything untoward in the fight and in training. He was leading the fight on points before the unfortunate incident occurred…I really can’t explain what happened to be honest. It was bewildering, but in his training and in the build-up to the fight, there was nothing untoward with regards to his condition. He was in good nick before the fight.”
Boxing South Africa has undertaken to “conduct an independent medical review of the injury and will
then make public the results of that medical review.”
Meanwhile, onlookers the world over are paying tribute to the young fighter on social media and mourning his premature passing:
This is terrible. RIP Simiso. Condolences to his loved ones. “Combat sports” is a euphemism. Nothing about fighting is a game. https://t.co/rT6vaXOr3d
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) June 8, 2022
SAD NEWS:
South African boxer Simiso Buthelezi, has died after he was hospitalised during his bout when he began swinging at nothing, in particular, following a shot to his headHis death was confirmed in a statement by Boxing South Africa & the Buthelezi family
RIP Simiso
pic.twitter.com/Ip3KPD01j3
— The Bearded Mc
(@Oscarnuwati) June 8, 2022
In connection with this incident, CNN reports that traumatic brain injuries are still common in the contexts of both amateur and professional boxing, citing the World Medical Association’s view that “boxing is qualitatively different from other sports because of the injuries it causes and…should be banned.”
