Samson Ndlovu, the trainer of Skhumbuzo Ximba, expressed deep sorrow and grief following the unexpected passing of the boxer on Friday. Ximba, hailing from Manzamhlophe in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, collapsed in the gym after a four-round sparring session and was admitted to Hillbrow Hospital.

Ndlovu, based in Johannesburg, was not present at the gym when the incident occurred but shared details of the tragic event. The sparring was halted in the fourth round, and Ximba collapsed after his uncle, KwaZulu-Natal junior welterweight champion Lindokuhle Dlamini, removed his boxing gloves. Ximba, preparing for a scheduled fight at Boxing 5’s tournament in Booysens, passed away on Friday afternoon.

Ndlovu revealed that Ximba had previously suffered a head injury from being hit with a stick, leading to bouts of dizziness during sparring sessions. The severity of the damage caused by the head injury could have been assessed through MRI scans, which are crucial for boxers applying for professional licenses.

Skhumbuzo Ximba had experienced a bad knockout in a previous fight against Siyabulela Hem in Polokwane in June. Promoter Sandile Vilakazi emphasized the importance of proper weight management methods to avoid health hazards, cautioning against rapid weight loss for fights. He highlighted the need for trainers, managers, and boxers to prioritize healthy methods, including proper dieting.

In a separate incident, former champion France “Fighting Time” Ramabolu expressed gratitude for being alive after his bakkie was involved in a crash in Meyerton on Saturday. Ramabolu, a WBF International and Africa junior middleweight and super middleweight champion, survived the accident.

In boxing action, Asemahle Wellem retained his WBF International super-middleweight belt in a draw with Selemani Kidunda in Tanzania on Friday night, with scores of 114-113 for Kidunda, 114-111 for Wellem, and 113-113 for both fighters.