Simiso Buthelezi died Tuesday in Greyville, Durban, South Africa, following an internal hemorrhage caused by a head injury sustained during a WBF All Africa title match on Sunday during a Starline Boxing Promotions event.
In a joint statement with the boxer’s family, the regulatory organization Boxing South Africa (BSA) revealed the news on Wednesday. Before his death, Buthelezi was in a medically induced coma. He was 24 years old at the time. When a video of Buthelezi’s final boxing match went viral, it drew a lot of attention due to its frightening and peculiar nature.
A dazed Buthelezi switched his attention to a corner post as he swung furiously in the air after knocking his opponent down and nearly through the ropes. The match was called off by the referee because it was a surprisingly perplexing moment for everyone concerned.
According to Buthelezi’s trainer Bheki Mngomezulu, “there was nothing abnormal in the fight and training, thus it’s unknown when or how Buthelezi suffered the fatal injuries.”