South African boxer died after a knockout punch

Light middleweight Phindile Mwelase fell into a coma following a fight against Liz Butler on the 10th of October who officially defeated her by a knockout. She passed away on Saturday at a Pretoria hospital.

The 31 year-old South African female professional boxer has died after a knockout punch a couple of weeks ago that put her in a state of coma, the sports and recreation department declared on Tuesday.

"Her untimely passing has robbed us of a role model."

South Africa President Jacob Zuma showed his "heartfelt condolences on the untimely death" of Mwelase.

His team said in a statement on Tuesday. "She joined a sport that is predominantly male, and was proving that women can also succeed in boxing."

In a speech on their website Boxing South Africa added: "Boxing SA not only grieves at the passing of a wonderful and tremendous individual but also for the loss her family suffers. Our hearts and prayers go out to them at this difficult time."

Mwelase is the third sportsperson to die in sports-mad South Africa in less than seven days. 

Senzo Meyiwa, National soccer goalkeeper and captain,  was shot dead by trespassers at his girlfriend's home on Sunday evening. Former world 800 metre champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was lost life in a car crash on Friday.

(Source: Yahoo Sports)

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Boxing
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Tragic
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