Johannesburg - The death of Phindile Mwelase is a devastating loss to the boxing community, Gauteng sport MEC Molebatsi Bopape said on Tuesday.
“Ms Mwelase was an inspirational figure for her determination, perseverance and will to succeed as female boxer fighting to make a name for herself in the male-dominated sport,” she said.
“It is heartbreaking to see yet another young life with so much potential come to an untimely end.”
According to boxrec.com, Mwelase took part in four fights, suffering three losses (including the knockout leading to the coma), and a draw.
The 31-year-old died at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria on Saturday. The light welterweight boxer slipped into a coma after being knocked out in a fight against Liz Butler in Pretoria on October 10.
Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa was gunned down in Vosloorus, while visiting his girlfriend, singer and actress Kelly Khumalo, on Sunday night.
Runner Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed when his car overturned on the R555 in Mpumalanga on Friday. He overcame an injury to win a gold medal in the 800m race at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Germany.
He won a silver medal for the 800m at the Athens 2004 Olympics and gold at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Sapa