R.I.P South African Boxer Simiso Buthelezi

Vendors Russ Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Patrick: South African boxer Simiso Buthelezi died recently following a boxing match. Despite his death—due to the boxing match—it was his actions within the ring toward the end of the fight that received the most attention. Buthelezi suffered internal bleeding from a brain injury and, on Tuesday, June 7— two days after the fight—he died in the hospital.

Russ: The odd thing is that he was, seemingly, somewhat alert. I mean, he looked as beat up as a 10-round fight will do to someone’s face, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Patrick: So, just so folks can understand why this is bigger news than even his death is that Buthelezi knocked down his opponent and, the referee counted and looked after the fallen man. Buthelezi, we notice, looked to his right to another corner a couple of times, but he still bounced along with his hands up and ready. Well, the ref finished his 8-count and turned back to Buthelezi and motioned “Go.” Sadly, Buthelezi squared up with the ref, but the ref dipped out of the way just to make sure he didn't get hit. He could’ve thought Buthelezi was so focused on fighting that he didn’t even see a specific person. Perhaps, he just was into the movement.

John: Who knows? It was horrible.

Donald: I’ve been around in this world for quite a while, and I’ve never seen anything like this. Once the ref slipped him, everyone expected Buthelezi to refocus on his opponent; instead, my man began fighting an imaginary opponent that only he saw.

Russ: Yeah, and when the ref grabbed him and called the fight, Simon Buthelezi just hung his head, exhausted… and, obviously, hurting on the inside of his brain.

John: Yeah, very tough to see. Especially because he passed.

Patrick: Sad thing is I remember watching many fights over my years and we’d laugh at some of those post-knockout actions. Zab Judah with the chicken-legs knockout against Kostya Tszyu—

Russ: Now, that one was tough because Zab was such a big star. A braggart, too.

Patrick: True. And I’ve seen many a clip where a boxer is on his back punching nothing but air. He believes he’s still standing and in a fight. But, yeah, I’ve been with my peoples and we’d see something like that and laugh. As brutal as we know this sport to be, it’s amazing to me that we didn’t feel the pain. I’ll admit, however, that, at that time in my maturation phase, I didn’t accept that boxing is brutality to the utmost. And, now, there’re announcers who’re getting abused for laughing and speaking about the incident in a way unbecoming of a professional. I get their reactions—both the pre-death and the death. So, what do you guys think about the brutality in boxing?

John: Obviously, it’s a tough game. Perhaps we need to get back to headgear. That could help, right?

Russ: I don’t know, fellas. Boxing is as violent a sport as there is. I mean, it’s not quite MMA and the like, but it is a 10- or 12-round pounding by a professional. As much as I’d like to say a professional on defense can get hit “less brutally,” believing that is as foolish as it becoming a sport to begin with.

Donald: I’m with y’all: Something has to be done. I’d hate to not be able to watch boxing, but I wouldn’t be mad at a ban.

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