South African female boxer Phindile Mwelase dies after failing to recover from coma

Mwelase fell into a coma after a fight on October 10th. Credit: Reuters

South African female boxer Phindile Mwelase has died after failing to recover from injuries sustained during a bout against Liz Butler on October 10th.

The 31 year-old light middleweight fell into a coma after being knocked out in the fight, and died at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria on Saturday.

South African president Jacob Zuma expressed his "heartfelt condolences at the untimely death" of Mwelase, and said in a statement on Tuesday:

"She joined a sport that is predominantly male, and was proving that women can also succeed in boxing."

In a separate statement released today, South Africa's sport and recreation ministry said:

"Minister Fikile Mbalula has yet again learnt of the passing away of another promising sporting talent of this country.

"Mwelase lost the battle and succumbed to her untimely death on 25th October."

It is the second time in a matter of days that South Africa has mourned one of its sporting stars after football captain Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead by burglars.