Female Boxer Dies In South Africa Following Knockout Blow

A female boxer in South Africa has departed after being in coma for two weeks following a knockout blow in the ring. South Africa's sports ministry recently announced that Phindile Mwelase died at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital after being knocked out in a fight against Liz Butler on October 10.

The 31-year-old boxer was first taken to Kalafong Hospital but was eventually transferred to Steve Biko Hospital, where she had a surgery due to cranial haemorrhage. Last week, she was weaned off from life support and moved-out of the intensive care unit but she never regained her consciousness. Mwelase's family were not present at the time of the incident and they were unaware until her trainer Stanley Ndlovu tracked down her sister. Her sister allegedly claimed that their father has always told Phindile to quit her boxing but she was persistent because she liked the sport.

Mwelase, who is allegedly the sole breadwinner in her family, signed a £228 contract for the eight-round bout. She had lost in all her four previous fights and it was the first time that she competed in an eight-round fight, which is second-longest bout allowed for women boxers.

In the sixth round, Mwelase, who started boxing in 2007, sank to her knees and as the referee started counting, she toppled forward on to her face. The referee immediately called the ringside doctor to check on Mwelase who summoned paramedics who administered oxygen because of difficulty of breathing. The doctor at the Steve Biko Hospital said that a blood vessel in the brain had burst, which caused severe swelling.

Mwelase's injury is one of the most serious injuries to a woman boxer in South Africa and South African president Jacob Zuma paid tribute to the female boxer.

"On behalf of government and all South Africans we wish to convey our earnest condolences to the family, relatives, friends and the entire boxing fraternity." "She joined a sport that is viewed as predominantly male and has proven that women can also succeed in boxing," the president said in a statement according to Scotsman.