CAPE TOWN: A South African boxer has died after being knocked out in the first round of a bout.

The sports ministry said on Wednesday that Mzwanele Kompolo died in the hospital in the town of Frere in the Eastern Cape province.

Kompolo, who the ministry described as an ‘up and coming’ fighter, lost by TKO in the first round against Siphenathi Qampi.

The ministry said Kompolo then collapsed in the ring and was taken to Frere hospital, where he went into a coma.

He died on Tuesday. The ministry didn’t say how old Kompolo was.

The sports ministry is still investigating the death of female boxer Phindile Mwelase late last year.

Mwelase died after being in a coma for two weeks following a fight in the capital, Pretoria.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2015

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