Dlamini out of danger after suspected energy booster causes health scare
WALTER Dlamini is out of danger after a health scare which saw him suffer from stomach cramps in his dressing room on Friday night.
That was after his drawn 10rounder for the vacant Gauteng middleweight belt with Tebogo Malose at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.
Trainer Manny Fernandes told the Dispatch yesterday that his 38-year-old charge was fine after he had complained of stomach cramps and was shivering after the bout in his dressing room.
“Walter took energy boosters from Sechaba Mabuya [who manned the boxer’s corner on behalf of Fernandes, who was busy helping his wife with promoter duties during the tournament] before the fight and that affected not only his performance but his health well,” said Fernades.
“I had a serious talk with Walter regarding this because I do not believe in those things [energy boosters]. It affected his performance badly and his health was at risk. But I do not think Sechaba had bad intentions.”
Dlamini – a favourite to win the duel based on his previous performances – was fast asleep during the fight, which was aptly declared a draw as there
as was no deserving winner.
Mabuya, who trains current SA and WBF International junior middleweight champion Nkululeko Mhlongo, said: “I gave Walter Powerade tablet which is an energy booster. Fortunately I did not throw away the container. When Dr Steven Saad demanded to see it, it was there. There was nothing wrong with it. I visited him yesterday. He is fine.”
The boxer was not available for a comment yesterday.