Boxing has been rocked by the death of Eastern Cape featherweight Mzwanele Kompolo.
Kompolo died after he was knocked out in the first round of a fight against Siphenathi Quampi at the weekend.
Boxing SA has confirmed the boxer’s death and the minister of sport, Fikile Mbalula, has expressed his sadness.
Kompolo, who was from King William’s Town, passed away on Tuesday; the second Eastern Cape fighter to recently.
A female boxer, Phindile Mwelase, was fatally injured in a fight against Liz Butler in Pretoria almost a year ago.
A doctor treated Kompolo immediately after the knockout in a tournament at Mount Frere on Sunday. Tthe boxer was taken to hospital in an ambulance. He never regained consciousness and died in the Frere Hospital on Tuesday.
His death came days after an Australian boxer, Davey Browne died after a super-featherweight bout in Sydney.
Mr Mbalula said he was saddened by [Kompolo’s} passing “especially during the period wherein we are still establishing the circumstances that led to the passing of the late Phindile Mwelase.
“On behalf of my department .... our heartfelt condolences to the family and everyone associated with the young athlete.”
Quampi, who made his debut in June 2001, was fighting in only his fifth professional bout, having won two and lost two of his previous fights, according to Boxrec.com. No details of Kompolo’s record have been released.
