South African boxer Simiso Buthelezi died Tuesday night from internal bleeding in his brain following a shadow-boxing incident in Durban on Sunday, Boxing South Africa reported.
On Wednesday, the organization released a statement saying, “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 7 June in hospital in Durban [South Africa],” the statement read, per ESPN.
“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.”
The 24-year-old athlete was competing for the WBF All Africa lightweight title against Siphesihle Mntungwa when he suddenly became disorientated in the final minute of the 10-round fight.
In the clip, Buthelezi started taking several jabs at Mntungwa before falling back into the ropes. He then turned his back on his opponent and started shadow boxing in the opposite corner of the ring, prompting referee Elroy Marshall to end the fight and call for medics.
Very scary in South Africa please 🙏🏼 for Simiso Buthelezi (4-1). At 2:43 of the 10th & final round, Siphesihle Mntungwa (7-1-2) falls through the ropes but then Buthelezi appears to lose his understanding of the present situation. Mntungwa takes the WBF African lightweight title pic.twitter.com/YhfCI623LB
— Tim Boxeo (@TimBoxeo) June 5, 2022
Buthelezi was rushed to the hospital and placed into a coma at 11 p.m. Sunday.
Though it’s unclear how the South African native suffered the injury, ring announcer Sipho Mashego told ESPN that Buthelezi was in control of the fight throughout the night. However, he said the arena was “dumbfounded” by the boxer’s change in behavior.
“Simiso was dictating terms. He was actually controlling the fight from Round 1. He didn’t take any punishment from his opponent,” Mashego said.
While boxers are known to suffer injuries from severe blows to the head, Buthelezi’s trainer Bheki Mngomezulu told News24 that the 24-year-old brawler did not endure any heavy blows during the fight.
“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.”
The BSA announced they would be initiating an independent medical review into the incident.
