Boxer dies in hospital after fighting invisible opponent during title fight

RIP Simiso Buthelezi

South African boxer Simiso Buthelezi has died in hospital after suffering a brain injury during his title fight defeat in Durban on Sunday. The lightweight contest ended in concerning fashion, just moments after it looked certain that Buthelezi was going to win the fight. Buthelezi had be stopped by the referee after he appeared to throw punches at thin air, seemingly fighting an invisible opponent after his opponent, Siphesihle Mntungwa, fell back through the ropes in the 10th and final round. As Mntungwa returned to his feet in the ring, it became clear to him that Buthelezi was not in control of his actions and therefore decided to hold back on going in to attack. https://twitter.com/TimBoxeo/status/1533471844753453063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1533471844753453063%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fboxer-punching-invisible-opponent-340305

A statement confirmed that Buthelezi had died in hospital

After the referee stopped the fight, Buthelezi was taken to hospital and initially placed into an induced coma, but in a statement on Wednesday, it was confirmed that the lightweight fighter had sadly passed away The statement said: "It is with great sadness for Boxing South Africa and the Buthelezi family to announce the passing away of Mr. Simiso Buthelezi who passed away last night the 7th June 2022 at hospital in Durban. "Boxing South Africa will conduct an independent medical review of the injury and will then make public the results of that medical review. "The Buthelezi family and Boxing South Africa acknowledges warm words of condolences of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. "The Buthelezi family and Boxing South Africa will in due course make announcement on funeral arrangements. "Boxing South Africa and the Buthelezi family wishes to request members of the public and the media to give them space while mourning the passing away of this great boxer who was exemplary both outside and inside the ring." Related links:

• Boxer taken to hospital after punching invisible opponent during title fight
• Musa Yamak dead at 38: Unbeaten boxer suffers heart attack in ring and collapses
• Boxer races off stage to ‘protect mother’ in post-fight brawl