The outcome of the WBC silver featherweight boxing title fight between champion Nick Ball and Lumo Lamati in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Saturday night is meaningless, especially for South Africans, what matters most now is his health.
It may sound alarming to say Lamati is fighting for his life in a hospital bed in Belfast where the 31-year-old fighter from Mdantsane was admitted after collapsing in his corner after his management rescued him by throwing in the towel on the 12th round.
Referee Kevin Parker stopped the fight after Lamati’s corner had thrown in the towel to rescue him from total destruction from vicious combinations from Ball. Lamati was stretchered off the ring and taken to a hospital in Belfast.
But manager Colin Nathan, who was part of the South African contingent that is Belfast, said: “As you can imagine I am really not up for talking; we are upset. What we can share with you, though, is that he in the ICU (intensive care unit) and is stable.
"His vital signs are much better than last night (Saturday); the swelling is coming down – other than that, that is all the information I have that we are willing to share at this moment; just keep him in your prayers.”
Nathan’s No Doubt management company, which guides careers of many fighters, works with Lamati whose manager Larry Wainstein also has ties with Nathan. Lamati – a former top amateur, and an SA and IBO junior featherweight champion, is trained by Phumzile Matyhila.
Wainstein, his son and Riaaz Bhayatt (who manages Booysens Gym) are all in Belfast where Lamati suffered his first loss since he turned professional in 2014 after a fruitful career in the amateur ranks. Lamati had been undefeated as a pro fighter in 22 fights.
During his post-fight interview, Ball refused to celebrate while Lamati’s health status remained uncertain. “The main thing is Lamati’s health. I hope he’s alright. I will be even more happy when I know that, because boxing is no joke. You have got some people not taking it seriously and you can lose your life in here, so the main thing is his health,” he said.
Well wishes flooded online for Lamati, who sustained a significant amount of damage before his corner threw in the towel.
Boxing SA acting CEO Nsikayezwe Sithole said they were shaken by the news from Belfast. “We heard that he is recovering and we are also positive that he will recover fully and come back to his family.”
Sithole revealed: “We have already engaged health departments and laboratories provincially and nationally to assist with brain scans of fighters to make sure that no serious head injuries have been sustained by fighters and also just to prevent further injuries if there are any.”
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