African Simiso Buthelezi botched his chance of becoming a boxing champion after his latest fight against Siphesihle Mntungwa ended in a bizarre way.
After flooring his opponent, Buthelezi suddenly swung at what appeared to be an invisible opponent. The South African boxer’s alarming actions prompted the ringside physicians and he was quickly taken to a hospital.
Left with no choice
It was the 10th and final round of Buthelezi and Mntungwa’s WBF African lightweight title bout and the former was evidently winning. Buthelezi landed a flurry of hard combinations that saw Mntungwa falling back through the ropes.
The referee in charge began counting but Mntungwa managed to get back to his feet. Just when everyone thought the fight was about to resume, Buthelezi began punching in thin air. At one point, it seemed as if he was trying to hit the referee but after a few swings at a seemingly non-existent opponent, the official realized that something wasn’t right and called to stop the fight.
Right decisions were made
Boxing reporter Tim Boxeo later relayed key details of the unusual incident. According to Boxeo, Buthelezi was likely to win the WBF lightweight title but due to what went down, Mntungwa has taken it but the belt ceremony was “postponed.”
He also noted that Buthelezi immediately received medical care but he is not the person who can provide further updates about the boxer’s condition.
Very scary in South Africa please 🙏🏼 for Simiso Buthelezi (4-1). At 2:43 of the 10th & final round, Siphesihle Mntungwa (7-1-2) falls through the ropes but then Buthelezi appears to lose his understanding of the present situation. Mntungwa takes the WBF African lightweight title pic.twitter.com/YhfCI623LB
— Tim Boxeo (@TimBoxeo) June 5, 2022
“At the time of the stoppage, Simiso Buthelezi was almost certainly headed to a 10 round decision victory and was removed from the ring under immediate medical care,” he wrote. “The WBF made the right decision to postpone the belt ceremony for Mntungwa at the moment.”
“I know many are interested in Buthelezi’s condition, as am I, as we all continue to pray for his recovery. I am not the right person to share news on his medical situation. I’ll be patient and allow those close to Buthelezi share confirmed & official updates when appropriate.”
At the time of the stoppage, Simiso Buthelezi was almost certainly headed to a 10 round decision victory and was removed from the ring under immediate medical care. The WBF made the right decision to postpone the belt ceremony for Mntungwa at the moment.
— Tim Boxeo (@TimBoxeo) June 5, 2022
I know many are interested in Buthelezi's condition, as am I, as we all continue to pray for his recovery. I am not the right person to share news on his medical situation. I'll be patient and allow those close to Buthelezi share confirmed & official updates when appropriate 🙏🏼
— Tim Boxeo (@TimBoxeo) June 6, 2022
Indeed, it was a fateful night for Buthelezi’s boxing career, but more importantly, let’s hope that there’s nothing serious about his condition.
