BSA halts Mkhwanazi’s career pending medical review

Female boxing novice Asanda Mkhwanazi is out of the woods and at home in KwaZulu-Natal, said Boxing SA’s (BSA) medical committee chairperson Dr Robert Selepe.

Mkhwanazi, from Lindelani in Durban, left the boxing ring at Farmers Market in Fourways on a stretcher.

Accompanied by doctor Simon Brooks, an ambulance took her to Busamed Hospital before being rushed to Edenvale Hospital where her condition was stabilised.

She collapsed on her stool ahead of round 3 against WBO Africa flyweight champ Sibulele “Lova” Soboois. Their bout formed part of the Fright Night tournament staged by Warriors Ascent.

There was pandemonium when she collapsed, but Boxing SA’s ring side doctors Selepe and Simon and paramedics followed a systematic, step-by-step clinical approach to assess her life-threatening condition.

Under the South African Boxing Act and its regulations, paramedics and first-aid attendants are required at every sanctioned tournament to safeguard the life, health and physical safety of boxers.

Referee Namhla Tyuluba did a sterling job moving her off the stool and putting her on the ground.

Warriors Ascent CEO Brad Norman said: “Doctors Selepe and Brooks and paramedics from Mibern Medi-Call EMS were in the ring within a minute. They saved her life. Everything they did was at the highest level. I was impressed.”

Selepe said she will be required to go for a full medical check-up. “We [BSA medical committee] need a diganosis of what caused her to collapse,” he said. “Until then Asanda is not allowed to go to gym, spar and fight.”

Trainer Sanele Mthalane, who is responsible for Mkhwanazi’s boxing career, said: “I spoke to her mother and she told me Asanda will go to hospital today.”

BSA KwaZulu-Natal manager Mlungisi Dube said: “I watched the fight, I did not see heavy punches from Soboois. I was shocked to see her fall and collapse on her stool and that told me something was wrong with her. We are going to follow up and see how she is doing. I am in contact with Dr Selepe.”

Mkhwanazi did well in round 1, connecting with clean blows while Soboois was figuring her way through. They got involved in exchanges in round 2 and Soboois landed some good shots. Mkhwanazi collapsed on her stool going for the third round and that was the end of the bout.

Soboois’ corner was manned by Ncedo Cecane, Sihle Mathenjwa and Frans Ramabolu.

Soboois dethroned Smangele “Smash” Hadebe as the WBO Africa title at Silver Lakes Farm in Pretoria in February. She remains undefeated after six fights, while Mkhwanazi suffered her third defeat against two wins and a draw.

Wassim “Kleurling” Chellan won the ABU welterweight belt via a fourth-round stoppage of Kenyan Martin “Tiger” Achebi in what was the main bout.

Before that bout, hot prospect Ardy “The Eagle” Katompa and Lopez “Soldier” Maluleke thrilled fans with their slugfest, which was declared a draw after eight rounds in the featherweight division.

Crowd favourite and Malawian rising star Mayamiko “Tyson” Mozland defeated Angola’s Maiala Antonio (often called Tony Mayala) via a technical knockout in round 4.