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Samora Msophi died this morning after Friday fight
Samora Msophi who was stopped in the fourth round of his fight against South Africa junior flyweight champion Mfundo Gwayana on Friday night at the Orient Theatre in East London died early this morning.
Going into the fight there was a lot bad blood between the fighters and at the first bell both boxers threw punches with intent.
Even though Msophi was down for counts in the first and third rounds and on unsteady legs at times, he always came back at the champion and staggered him in the second round.
However, it was a rampant Gwayana, who is not known as a power puncher, that came out for the fourth round to back up Msophi into the corner and land some ten punches to the head before referee Alan Matekane stepped in to call the fight off at 49 seconds, as the challenger slumped to the canvas.
Msophi was attended to by ringside doctors who were unable to revive him before he was taken hospital after lapsing into a coma.
The doctors operated to remove what was described as a clot on the brain, but unfortunately he never regained conscientiousness.
Msophi made his pro debut in July 2005 and going into the title fight with Gwayana he had only suffered one loss on his record and that was in November 2007 when he lost on a second round technical knockout to Johnny Oliphant.
Early records of ring deaths in South Africa are very sketchy and the only available records are those compiled by the late Manuel Velazquez from Mexico and also those compiled by the writer.
Since 1889 including the death of Msophi, 44 professionals and 25 amateurs have died after fights.
Going into the fight there was a lot bad blood between the fighters and at the first bell both boxers threw punches with intent.
Even though Msophi was down for counts in the first and third rounds and on unsteady legs at times, he always came back at the champion and staggered him in the second round.
However, it was a rampant Gwayana, who is not known as a power puncher, that came out for the fourth round to back up Msophi into the corner and land some ten punches to the head before referee Alan Matekane stepped in to call the fight off at 49 seconds, as the challenger slumped to the canvas.
Msophi was attended to by ringside doctors who were unable to revive him before he was taken hospital after lapsing into a coma.
The doctors operated to remove what was described as a clot on the brain, but unfortunately he never regained conscientiousness.
Msophi made his pro debut in July 2005 and going into the title fight with Gwayana he had only suffered one loss on his record and that was in November 2007 when he lost on a second round technical knockout to Johnny Oliphant.
Early records of ring deaths in South Africa are very sketchy and the only available records are those compiled by the late Manuel Velazquez from Mexico and also those compiled by the writer.
Since 1889 including the death of Msophi, 44 professionals and 25 amateurs have died after fights.
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