In contact sports, regardless of the measures taken and the development of medicine, tragic deaths of athletes periodically occur. Boxing is one of the disciplines where the death of participants in fights occurs most often.

Unfortunately, the most tragic boxing story of this year is overgrown with sad details. There was no boxer who lost his mind right during the fight.

The tragic ending of a successful battle

The incredible story of South African boxer Simizo Buthelezi recently made headlines around the world. On June 5, the 24-year-old athlete confidently walked towards his first truly significant victory. In the final 10th round of the duel against compatriot Sifesikhle Mntungwa (7-1-2), the undefeated Simizo was confidently in the lead and was one step away from winning the vacant WBF Africa title.

Shortly before the final gong, the athlete almost knocked out his opponent. Mntungwa struggled to his feet due to the ropes. The referee did not open the score, allowing the fighters to continue the fight. But the boxers were not destined to complete the fight. Shimizo, instead of boxing his opponent, went straight to the judge with a blank look. The referee dodged Buthelezi’s punches in time.

Simizo continued to move into the corner, starting to box with emptiness. The referee immediately stopped the fight, seeing the inappropriate behavior of the athlete. Simizo was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. There he fell into a coma. The doctors managed to stabilize the boxer’s condition, and even optimistic forecasts were given regarding his health.

Photo: © Satoshi Takahashi / Contributor / LightRocket / Gettyimages.com

“I regret that I went to this fight”

Two days later, the South African Boxing Federation (BSA) on its official social networks unexpectedly announced the death of Simizo right in the hospital where the athlete had been taken earlier.

– On June 5, 2022, Mr. Buthelezi took part in a boxing tournament organized by Starline Boxing Promotions in the Grayville district of Durban. Towards the end of the fight, he collapsed and was taken to the hospital. There, the athlete was diagnosed with a craniocerebral injury, which led to intracranial bleeding. Mr. Buthelezi was given the best possible care at the hospital, but nevertheless died from his injuries, the BSA said in a statement.

The organization promised to conduct an independent medical examination of the incident, and then publish its results. Also, representatives of the BSA and the Minister of Sports expressed their condolences to the family of the athlete.

Heartbroken relatives also asked through the federation not to disturb them during the mourning period.

“The family asks members of the public and the media not to disturb them while they mourn the passing of this great boxer who was a role model in and out of the ring,” the federation also said in a statement.

Painfully reacted to the death of a boxer and his opponent Mntungwa. In a podcast by South African journalist Thabiso Mosiah, the athlete spoke about a terrible emotional state.

– I’m not feeling well now! I am empty and cannot eat. I try my best to sleep, but I can’t. I regret going to this fight. Now I ask myself, “why did I get into boxing in the first place?” – said Mntungwa after the tragic death of Simizo.

Buthelesi’s death is disappointing. If the examination establishes someone’s guilt, then the guilty person must be punished. But after that, Mntungwa is simply obliged to continue speaking so that the death of his opponent was not in vain.