JOHANNESBURG: A South African female professional boxer has died following a knockout punch two weeks ago that put her in a coma, the sports and recreation department said on Tuesday.

Phindile Mwelase, 31, fell into a coma on Oct 10 after a fight against Liz Butler, who defeated her by a knockout. She died on Saturday at a Pretoria hospital.

Mwelase is the third athlete to die in sports-mad South Africa in less than a week.

National football goalkeeper and captain Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead by intruders at his girlfriend’s home on Sunday night.

Former world 800-metre champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed in a car crash on Friday.

Also read :South Africa football team captain shot dead

Published in Dawn, October 29th , 2014