Boxing safety debate re-surfaces

Mzwanele Kompolo suffered a first round TKO against Siphenathi Qampi in the Eastern Cape last week. Treated in hospital, he slipped into a coma before dying.

And in Australia, father of two, Davey Browne Jr, was knocked out by Carlo Magali of the Philippines towards the end of a 12-round super-featherweight contest last Friday.
His life support was turned off after he failed to recover from his injuries.

“Without presuming to know the circumstances of either boxer, or their fight, it’s another warning to be fully aware and respectful dangers of the sport’s inherent dangers,” said Berman.

“I would rather live with the perception that I’m a bad promoter for dropping a fighter than live with the guilt of sending him into needless fights that could end badly or even tragically.”

Berman has released boxers in the past on the basis of such concerns, most memorably Brian Baronet.

Aware that Baronet had engaged in a number of sparring wars in the US, where he was based, Berman was very alert to the potential dangers of the junior-welterweight continuing. After the popular Durban boxer was destroyed by Harold Brazier in 1986, Baronet was cast off by Berman’s Golden Gloves.

“I saw the punishment he took in that fight. Brian should have quit there and then.”

Instead, he fought on under another promoter. Two years later he was dead after losing a fight against Kenny Vice in Durban. It remains one of local boxing’s darkest days.”

More recently, Berman has cut ties with Flo Simba, the mercurial talent who was knocked out in a single round by a journeyman heavyweight a few weeks ago.

With four first-round KO losses in his last six fights, the signs are neon bright for him to quit.

“I have high regard for Flo as a person,” said Berman, “but he shouldn’t be fighting. I was very upset when I saw he was recently fighting again.”

ANA