Two boxers die after taking knockout punches on boxing ring
The boxing community is mourning the passing of two athletes who died this week after receiving knockout blows from their opponents.
South African fighter Mzwanele Kompolo died after he was knocked out in the first round of a fight in Frere, Wednesday.
Kompolo collapsed in the ring and went into coma after being beaten by Siphenathi Qampi in the Eastern Cape.
He was taken to hospital where he later died.
“It is indeed sad to hear of this news involving the passing of this young upcoming athlete,” Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said.
Another boxer Australian David Browne, 28, died on Tuesday after being knocked unconscious in a fight last Friday.
Browne’s death comes barely six months after Queensland boxer Braydon Smith collapsed and died following a featherweight bout in his hometown of Toowoomba, reports say.
“One punch can kill, whether you are outside a pub on a Friday night or in a boxing ring,” AMA vice-president Dr Stephen Parnis told Australian broadcaster ABC.
“And this is the thing that causes young lives to be ended so traumatically,” Parnis said.
May the souls of Kompolo and Browne rest in peace.
