Kid Blast
Senior Member
Simiso Buthelezi was 4-0 going into his fight with Siphesihle Mntungwa (6-1-2) at the Greyville Convention Centre, Durban, SA on June 5. At stake was the vacant World Boxing Federation African Light Title
Buthelezi quickly took control and remained ahead; in fact, he knocked his South African rival into the ropes with seconds on the clock.
But then something uniquely horrifying happened as Simiso was shown moving away from his opponent rather than finishing him off. He punched aimlessly-- even moving toward the camera throwing hooks at invisible opponents. Any one who knows boxing realized that something was terribly wrong.
The referee immediately stopped the fight. Buthelezi collapsed and was immediately taken into medical care at King Edward VIII Hospital where he was placed in an induced coma.
Said promoter Zandile Malinga (who handle the medical expenses):
“I am still in shock; we did not anticipate this…As brutal as boxing can be but this is the last thing you expect. Everything was fine; no weight issues… basically no signs of anything to look into in that direction.”
Then, the statement no one wanted to read. The one no one wanted to hear about.
But it came.
"It is with great sadness for Boxing South Africa and the Buthelezi family to announce the passing away of Mr Simiso Buthelezi, who passed away last night on June 7 in hospital in Durban," the statement read. "Towards the end of his bout, Mr Buthelezi collapsed and was taken to hospital and it was discovered that he suffered a brain injury which resulted in internal bleeding. At the hospital, Mr Buthelezi was given the best care possible but he succumbed to the injury."
He was just 24 years old. He had recently graduated university with a degree in botany and zoology. He had everything to look forward to.
Now, nothing.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1533471844753453063
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