Boxing SA has opened an investigation into the death of East London boxer Mzwanele Kompolo, who died after suffering head injuries following his bout in Willowvale in September.
Kompolo died after he was knocked out in one round by Siphenathi Qambi in their junior-welterweight bout at the Willowvale Indoor Centre.
The fight was promoted by Ntsikayezwe Sigcawu, who is the nephew of Xhosa King Zwelonke Sigcawu.
The show was rocked by mishaps when an ambulance did not arrive on time, causing the start of the tournament to be delayed by several hours.
However when the clash between Kompolo and Qambi started the ambulance was already on standby and after the former had been bundled to the canvas twice and subsequently collapsed in his corner he was quickly rushed to the Butterworth Hospital.
He was later transferred to Frere Hospital in East London where he subsequently died.
The death was the second in less than a year to hit the boxing fraternity after the passing away of female boxer Pindile Mwelase following her clash against Liz Butler in October last year.
BSA chairwoman Ntambi Ravele confirmed that the regulator had appointed a task team to look into the tragedy.
“We are not necessarily looking to blame anyone but we want to make sure that similar tragedy does not happen again,” she said.
Yesterday, Eastern Cape-BSA manager Phakamile Jacobs as well as Sigcawu were called to testify before the task team.
The fighter’s trainer Thembisile Mjele as well as ringside doctors are also expected to appear before the task team.
Jacobs ruled out any wrongdoing by any individual into the tragedy, saying it was one of those freak ring fatalities.
“I was there so I know what happened,” he said.
According to eyewitnesses, Kompolo, originally from Dimbaza but trained by Mjele at his NU5 club, was dropped by Qambi’s right moments after the start of the bout.
He managed to beat the count of experienced referee Lulama Mtya but a follow-up barrage by Qambi forced Mtya to immediately jump in to stop the fight with Kompolo still on his feet.
He later collapsed in his corner before slipping into a coma.
Ravele said since the new board came to office inquiries into ring fatalities have been opened.
“We also did the same in the tragedy involving Mwelase and we will continue with it because we cannot just fold our arms when a life is lost.”
She, however, could not say if the task team are composed of the same members that probed the Mwelase tragedy.
“Those are operational matters so I cannot give you a definite answer on that.”
The inquest into Mwelase tragedy is yet to be finalised with the reports still outstanding.
Ravele could not say when the report into Kompolo’s death could be expected saying it would be improper to put the task team under pressure.
BSA task team investigates fighter’s death
Kompolo died after he was knocked out in one round by Siphenathi Qambi in their junior-welterweight bout at the Willowvale Indoor Centre.
The fight was promoted by Ntsikayezwe Sigcawu, who is the nephew of Xhosa King Zwelonke Sigcawu.
The show was rocked by mishaps when an ambulance did not arrive on time, causing the start of the tournament to be delayed by several hours.
However when the clash between Kompolo and Qambi started the ambulance was already on standby and after the former had been bundled to the canvas twice and subsequently collapsed in his corner he was quickly rushed to the Butterworth Hospital.
He was later transferred to Frere Hospital in East London where he subsequently died.
The death was the second in less than a year to hit the boxing fraternity after the passing away of female boxer Pindile Mwelase following her clash against Liz Butler in October last year.
BSA chairwoman Ntambi Ravele confirmed that the regulator had appointed a task team to look into the tragedy.
“We are not necessarily looking to blame anyone but we want to make sure that similar tragedy does not happen again,” she said.
Yesterday, Eastern Cape-BSA manager Phakamile Jacobs as well as Sigcawu were called to testify before the task team.
The fighter’s trainer Thembisile Mjele as well as ringside doctors are also expected to appear before the task team.
Jacobs ruled out any wrongdoing by any individual into the tragedy, saying it was one of those freak ring fatalities.
“I was there so I know what happened,” he said.
According to eyewitnesses, Kompolo, originally from Dimbaza but trained by Mjele at his NU5 club, was dropped by Qambi’s right moments after the start of the bout.
He managed to beat the count of experienced referee Lulama Mtya but a follow-up barrage by Qambi forced Mtya to immediately jump in to stop the fight with Kompolo still on his feet.
He later collapsed in his corner before slipping into a coma.
Ravele said since the new board came to office inquiries into ring fatalities have been opened.
“We also did the same in the tragedy involving Mwelase and we will continue with it because we cannot just fold our arms when a life is lost.”
She, however, could not say if the task team are composed of the same members that probed the Mwelase tragedy.
“Those are operational matters so I cannot give you a definite answer on that.”
The inquest into Mwelase tragedy is yet to be finalised with the reports still outstanding.
Ravele could not say when the report into Kompolo’s death could be expected saying it would be improper to put the task team under pressure.
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