Siphesihle Mntungwa has opened up about the abuse he has received following his fight with Simiso Buthelezi,<a href="https://vt.co/entertainment/sport/boxer-simiso-buthelezi-dies-after-he-started-swinging-at-thin-air-during-fight"> after which the latter suddenly died</a> South African boxer Buthelezi tragically passed away after being placed in a coma following his fight against Mntungwa last week. During the 10th round of their WBF All Africa title fight on June 5, Buthelezi appeared disorientated and began punching thin air. He was put in a medically induced coma following the match but later succumbed to his brain injury. <img class="size-full wp-image-1263157815" src="https://img.vt.co/2022/06/Screenshot-2022-06-08-at-13.59.04-1-scaled-e1654693379582-1024x796-1.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="796" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: SABC/Twitter (Screenshot)]] After the sudden death of his opponent, Mntungwa has been hit with "ugly messages" online, he has revealed in an interview with <a href="https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/boxing/2022-06-10-boxer-who-fought-late-buthelezi-becomes-suicidal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sowetan LIVE</a>. “I came under heavy criticism and insults on social media platforms when Simiso was hospitalized; it has taken another level now that he has passed away,” he said. The 27-year-old boxer, who hails from KwaXimba, Cato Ridge, said that those posting hateful statements about him even included his own neighbors. “Even my neighbours have posted very ugly messages about me on social media,” Mntungwa said. He went on: “I am no longer safe. I did not kill Simiso; we may have been involved in a boxing fight but it was not a matter of life and death. All I wanted was to win the title, which maybe was going to help change my life and that of my family. “It is sad and very painful, but I did not go in that boxing with an intention to kill him.” In a joint statement issued by Boxing South Africa and Buthelezi's family, it was revealed that the boxer passed away on the evening of June 7. The statement read: "At the hospital Mr. Buthelezi was given the best care possible but he however succumbed to the injury last night as aforesaid." [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/robertmarawa/status/1534491112567713793/]] "Boxing South Africa will conduct an independent medical review of the injury and will then make public the results of that medical review," the statement continued. "The Buthelezi family and Boxing South Africa acknowledges warm words of condolences of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. "The Buthelezi family and Boxing South Africa will in due course make announcement on funeral arrangements. "Boxing South Africa and the Buthelezi family wishes to request members of the public and the media to give them space while mourning the passing away of this great boxer who was exemplary both outside and inside the ring." <h6>Featured image credit: Guy Corbishley / Alamy</h6>

Simiso Buthelezi's opponent gets 'ugly messages' after death of boxer: 'I'm no longer safe'

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