South African Boxer Simiso Buthelezi Dies After Fight, Suffers Brain Injury

In a nationally televised South African boxing match, Simiso Buthelezi collapsed in the corner of the ring. A few days later, the boxer was dead. The fight was between Buthelezi and Siphesihle Mnutungwa on June 3. Buthelezi died two days later after slipping into a coma.

The events of that title fight were brought up during a match between Alexis Angulo and Edgar Berlanga, broadcasted on ESPN. During the fight, ESPN broadcaster Tim Bradley referenced the now-viral video of Buthelezi boxing the air saying, “I’ve seen worse. There’s a video circulating right now where a guy actually knocked another guy out of the ring. He got back in the ring and the other guy actually started boxing a ghost in the corner.”

Bradley later apologized for the comments, saying he was unaware that Buthelezi had passed away, “I want to take the time out right now and apologize for that last statement that I made about that guy that was actually punching someone in the corner. He actually passed away a few days ago. I had no clue that he passed away, and I just want to give my utmost apologies to his family and to his loved ones.”

Boxing South Africa is currently conducting an independent medical review of the incident.