Nkabiti’s death no reason to ban sport of boxing
Another boxer, Herbert Nkabiti, has died due to a boxing-related mishap. His opponent Willis Baloyi is feeling guilty.
It happens all the time and Baloyi should get all necessary support and shouldn’t be vilified in any way. Whenever this happens alarmists always come out and demand that boxing as a sport should cease to exist.
Boxers have been dying since boxing came into existence and no boxer goes into the ring with the intention of killing an opponent. Nkabiti adds to the list of boxers who died during or after fights.
That list in South Africa includes Jacob Morake, Brian Baronet, Clive Sikhwebu, Anele Makhwelo, Samora Msophi, Mzwanele Kompolo and `Phindile Mwelase.
Cricket is viewed as safe. That hasn’t stopped SA’s Darryn Randall and Australia’s Phil Hughes from dying after getting hit by a cricket ball. Both deaths resulted in traumatised bowlers who bowled fatal deliveries contemplating retirement from the sport.
I’m glad both Mbulelo Budaza and Sean Abbott were convinced to carry on playing the sport they love.
Every sport has the potential to be dangerous.
I hope the powers-that-be in boxing will continue to explore and introduce more safety measures in an effort to decrease the number of deaths. Richardson Mzaidume
Pimville