A 24-year-old boxer died just days after trying to punch an imaginary opponent, showing signs of disorientation in fight

• Simiso Buthelezi, a 24-year-old boxer, died Tuesday.
• The novice fighter competed in a national title match Sunday, during which he suffered a brain bleed.

A 24-year-old fighter called Simiso Buthelezi died Tuesday, just two days after being pulled from a boxing match in which he showed signs of disorientation and even tried to punch an imaginary opponent in the ring.

He was taken to King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban, South Africa, after the alarming scenes that took place Sunday during a WBF African lightweight title match at the nearby Greville Convention Centre.

Buthelezi fought Siphesihle Mntungwa for the title and even appeared to have the upper hand in the bout when he punched him through the ropes in the 10th round.

Video footage shows that Mntungwa actually connected with a shot of his own as he was falling backward, and he rose to his feet with little-to-no problem.

However, shortly after the referee called for action to resume, Buthelezi was in no fit state to continue because he appeared confused. He swung his fists at thin air and seemingly tried to box the turnbuckle.

At the hospital, he was placed in a medically induced coma.

"It is with great sadness for Boxing South Africa and the Buthelezi family to announce the passing away of Simiso Buthelezi, who passed away on June 7 in hospital in Durban," Boxing South Africa, the country's boxing authority, said in a statement.

"Towards the end of his bout, Buthelezi collapsed and was taken to hospital, and it was discovered that he suffered a brain injury which resulted in internal bleeding.

"At the hospital, Mr Buthelezi was given the best care possible, but he succumbed to the injury."

The governing body then said it would conduct an independent medical review of the injury, before offering its condolences to Buthelezi's family.

Bheki Mngomezulu, Buthelezi's trainer, told News24: "There wasn't anything untoward in the fight and in training. He was leading the fight on points before the unfortunate incident occurred.

"I really can't explain what happened, to be honest," he said. "It was bewildering, but in his training and in the build-up to the fight, there was nothing untoward with regards to his condition. He was in good nick before the fight."