Linda Ximba
Three months ago South African boxing drew international headlines after Simiso Buthelezi collapsed in the ring before passing on two days later.
Pitted against Siphesihle Mntungwa for the WBF lightweight belt, Buthelezi appeared well on course to win the fight. But bizarrely in the last round, Buthelezi turned his back on Mntungwa, moved towards the corner and threw punches in the air.
The referee stepped in and halted the proceedings, technically awarding the fight to Mntungwa. After collapsing, Buthelezi was rushed to hospital where he was put into an induced coma.
On Saturday Mntungwa plucked up the courage to return to the same venue, which he confessed “brought back unpleasant memories”.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa on the sidelines of a Siyathemba Boxing Promotions tournament, Mntungwa said he noticed mixed reactions from people when he stepped inside the convention centre.
“It took some professional counselling and solid family support that I managed to have the guts to dust myself up and come here.
“The death incident drained me emotionally but I’m gradually getting there. Being here revokes that death moment but I’ve told myself life must go on,” the 25-year-old said.
He revealed that while he couldn’t attend Buthelezi’s funeral as he feared for his safety, he gave away his WBF belt as a sign of respect for the departed.
Mntungwa appealed to promoters to give him more fights because “boxing is my life and puts food on the table for my family”.
