Following concerning vision of South African boxer Simiso Buthelezi in recent days it’s been revealed the fighter has taken a turn for the worse and is in a coma.
During Buthelezi’s WBF African lightweight title fight against Siphesihle Mntungwa last weekend, the fighter clearly lost his bearings during the bout, taking air swings in the opposite corner from his opponent, after both men got tangled up which resulted in Mntungwa falling out of the ring.
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It was initially reported that Buthelezi was in a stable condition but it’s understood his health has deteriorated since the frightening moment.
“There’s no change in his condition, he’s in a coma, he’s not talking, moving or doing anything right now,” his trainer, Bheki Mngomezulu, said, via South African reporter Thabiso Mosia.
“The doctors say there could be a blood clot on the brain due to a blow to the head,” his trainer added, saying that Buthelezi’s family is devastated by his condition.
“This is very tough to take, especially for his family. Simiso has just graduated two weeks ago at UniZulu in Zoology and Botany. The family can’t understand why this had to happen because Simiso has a bright future.”
It’s understood Bethelezi was taken to hospital and placed in an induced com after the referee called off the fight.
Dr Buyi Mabaso-Dlamini, who was ringside during the bout, told local publication The Sowetan: “He is not in a good health condition at all; he is critical but stable.
“We discovered that he bled on the brain and sadly his condition does not allow the doctors that are treating to operate at the moment due to the condition.”
According to reports the boxer’s team are puzzled by the situation because he endured no heavy blows to the head during the fight. His trainer said his charge was normal during preparation for the fight and was ahead on points when the incident took place.
“There wasn’t anything untoward in the fight and in training,” he told News24. “He was leading the fight on points before the unfortunate incident occurred.
“I really can’t explain what happened, to be honest. It was bewildering, but in his training and in the build-up to the fight, there was nothing untoward with regards to his condition. He was in good nick before the fight.”
Ring announcer Sipho Mashego told ESPN the fighter was performing well and was in control of the fight, with the incident leaving him “dumbfounded.”
“Simiso was dictating terms, he was actually controlling the fight from round one. He didn’t take any punishment from his opponent.
“But this was the last round, with 14 seconds to go, and his opponent fell out of the ring. [Buthelezi] then started swinging wildly, and no-one understood what was going on. Luckily the ringside physicians were quick. It was bizarre.”
Dr. Mabaso-Dlamini added: “Another suspicion is that he may have suffered an injury before Sunday’s fight.
“It could be injuries building up all the years. His condition deteriorated when he was rushed to the hospital. But he was worse on his arrival at the hospital than when he left Greyville [the fight venue].”
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