What happened to Simiso Buthelezi? In-depth look at South African boxer's grim fate after in-ring collapse

Simiso Buthelezi's death rocked the boxing world back in mid-2022. At the time, the South African lightweight was an undefeated newcomer, having authored a 4-0 record. For his fifth fight, which proved to be a tragic outing, he took on Siphesihle Mntungwa.

The two men locked horns over the WBF All-African lightweight championship, and in the 10th and final round of their contest, Buthelezi advanced, backing Mntungwa into the corner. However, as Buthelezi stepped in with a jab, Mntungwa slipped on the outside of the blow and countered him with a sniping jab.

Check out Simiso Buthelezi's TKO loss to Siphesihle Mntungwa, which led to the South African boxer's death:

While the punch didn't seem to have much sting behind it, and Mntungwa even fell through the ropes, Buthelezi was the most affected by the bizarre exchange. After the referee stepped in to wave Mntungwa back to his feet and resume the fight, Buthelezi walked toward a different corner in a daze.

Without any prompting, he began swinging at empty space at said corner, with his back completely turned to Mntungwa. The moment caused the referee to immediately wave the fight off, as Buthelezi didn't have his wits about him. It was a strange ending given how dominant Buthelezi had been in the bout.

Moreover, he was barely hit during the fight. However, after the matchup, Buthelezi was diagnosed with brain bleed: intracerebral bleeding into the brain tissue or the brain's ventricular system, or both. He was placed in a medically-induced coma but ultimately died at the young age of 24.

Unfortunately, Buthelezi isn't the only death in boxing, which is rife with brain trauma-related injuries, and the prevalence of CTE.

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Simiso Buthelezi is one of several tragic cases in boxing

While heartwrenching, Simiso Buthelezi isn't the only harrowing case involving brain trauma in boxing. Prichard Colón is another case, having been hit by multiple blows to the back of the head during his fight with Terrel Williams in 2015, which led to a left-sided subdural hematoma.

This led to severe impairments to Colón's mobility, leading to an immediate retirement from boxing. Despite a slow recovery, Colón remains unable to walk or talk, relying on a wheelchair for movement.