Linda Ximba
South African boxer Siphesihle Mntungwa will sit down with his family to decide if he should carry on boxing or give up the fight game altogether.
Simiso Buthelezi, the last boxer Mntungwa fought for the WBF All Africa Lightweight title, succumbed to brain injury.
The South African boxing governing body Boxing South Africa (BSA) confirmed Buthelezi suffered internal bleeding which led to his death on Wednesday afternoon.
During the last round of their fight on Sunday, one of the most bizarre events ever seen in a boxing ring occurred. Buthelezi suddenly turned his back and started punching thin air. The referee intervened and stopped the fight immediately.
Mntungwa told Scrolla.Africa he became numb when his opponent’s death was confirmed.
“I was hoping he would recover because I had been keeping in touch with the promoter,” he said.
Mntungwa, who recently got married and has a young son, said he would hold a meeting with his family to decide his future in the sport.
Calling Buthelezi by his clan name of Shenge, he said he prayed that Buthelezi would not die through my hands.
“His passing hasn’t sunk in yet but right now I don’t know if I’m still keen on pursuing a career in the ring,” he said.
“I’m employed as a cleaner at a company in my neighbourhood in Cato Ridge which is near Pietermaritzburg.”
Scrolla.Africa’s attempts to speak to Buthelezi’s family were unsuccessful.
The late boxer’s trainer Skeleton Mngomezulu however said the family were struggling to come to terms with the death.
“His parents, with whom he had started building a decent house in the eDumbe village are gutted,” he said.
“Simiso had just graduated and there was a glimmer of hope that the Buthelezis would now enjoy a better life.”
South African boxing star Brian Baronet died from brain damage in 1998 after a fight against American fighter Kenny Vice in 1998.
