Simiso “Ganda Ganda” Buthelezi's death on Tuesday after ring injuries has again highlighted the fact that boxing is one of the most dangerous sports.
It actually brings back the memories Jacob “Dancing Shoes” Morake and of Phindile “Zulu Girl” Mwelase, who also died on hospital beds after boxing contests.
Morake died on November 2 1985 due to head injuries he sustained from his 12 round fight – his fourth against SA junior-lightweight champion Brian Mitchell – at Sun City on November 1.
Mwelase died at Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria in 2014. She was admitted a day after she collapsed inside the ring at HTS Gardens Hall in Pretoria, where she was knocked out in the sixth round by Liz Butler.
Mwelase from Watersmeet near Ladysmith, KZN, is the first female fighter in SA to die after a boxing fight. She was taken to Kalafong Hospital in Pretoria and then transferred to Steve Biko Hospital the following day as Kalafong did not have the neurology ward.
Mwelase underwent surgery to stem bleeding on the brain. She was taken off life support and moved out of intensive care but it was understood that she never regained consciousness.
There was an inquiry into the whole matter which poked holes on the side of BSA failing to make sure that the promoter of that tournament met all the requirements. That includes confirmation from a neurologist committing on paper that they would be on standby for the duration of the tournaments.
That is the basic requirement for a boxing tournament to be approved. There was an inquiry on that matter but the outcome is yet to be made public.
Buthelezi did not go for operation due to swelling. His situation is bizarre because he was not dropped by any punch. Instead, he is the one who dropped his opponent – Siphesihle Mntungwa – towards the end of the 10th and last round for the vacant WBF All Africa lightweight title, which took place at Greyville Convention Centre on Sunday.
Clearly referee Elroy Marshall ruled the knock-down illegal and that is based on the fact that he did not conduct the mandatory eight count. So, he instructed the two boxers to resume action and that was when Buthelezi started punching invisible opponent, leaving Mntungwa right behind him.
Marshall reacted swiftly and stopped the fight.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.