BOXING BLOW
THE boxing fraternity has been left shocked and saddened following the death of local lightweight fighter Simiso ‘Gandaganda’ Buthelezi. The rising star failed to come out of a coma after collapsing at the end of a 10-round bout on Sunday, and passed away in a
Durban hospital on Tuesday night.
Prayers for his recovery proved in vain and with a bright future ahead of him, both inside and out of the ring, Simiso's passing cast a pall of gloom over what would have been an auspicious occasion.
Simiso had been competing for the vacant WBF Lightweight title against Siphesihle Mntungwa at the Greyville Convention Centre in Durban, representing the University of Zululand where he had recently graduated in zoology and botany.
The 24-year-old was in the 10th and final round of the bout, well ahead on the scorecards, and had just hit his opponent through the ropes.
Backing off to a neutral corner, he appeared to become disorientated and began to flail in the air. The referee immediately stopped the fight.
Video footage can be viewed online at www.zululandobserver. co.za
Simiso was safely removed from the ring and rushed to hospital where he was placed in an induced coma, according to his coach, Skeleton Mngomezulu.
In a statement issued on Wednesday,
Boxing SA (BSA) confirmed Simiso’s passing, and requested that the family be allowed time to grieve and plan funeral arrangements.
BSA said they would conduct an independent medical review of the injury and will then make public the results of the review.
The Buthelezi family and BSA acknowledged the warm words of condolence from the minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, and will, in due course, make an announcement on funeral arrangements.
‘We request members of the public and the media to give us space while mourning the passing of this great boxer who was exemplary both outside and inside the ring.’
Simiso’s close friend and teammate, Mduduzi Memela said he was still trying to accept the news.
‘It pained me to hear the tragic news about Simiso, especially because I had heard he was recovering,’ said Memela.
‘I have known him since 2019 when we started as roommates, and have not been separated since. He was like a brother to me; we trained together and knew everything about each other.’
Brilliant young graduate fails to come out of coma
He was like a brother to me; we trained together and knew everything about each other
*Open your PixzAR app and scan the framed image to hear heartfelt condolences from the Red Beast camp