By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Desperation to get into the ring and fight after being inactive for almost three years nearly ‘killed’ Nozwelethu Mathontsi.
The 27-year-old female boxer stepped into the ring and fought against Tanzanian opponent Halima Vanjabei despite being sick. Vanjabei stopped Mathontsi in the second round.
Mathontsi vomited the whole night on Thursday ahead of Friday’s fight against Vanjabei at the Meropa Casino in Polokwane. She kept her sickness as a secret and never told TLB Boxing Promotions boss Joyce Kungwane fearing that she was going to be advised against fighting.
“I’m not well. I went to Nontyantyambo on Sunday and they kept me under observation for a few hours. I was given a drip and injections,” Mathontsi said as she was returning to Nontyantyambo Community Health Centre in Mdantsane for further tests on Monday.
“I was okay when I travelled to Polokwane on Thursday. I felt sick around 10pm on Thursday. I got dizzy and started vomiting. I didn’t know what was happening to me. I only went to bed around 6am on Friday. I vomited each an every time I tried to eat food or drink water.”
Mathontsi admitted, though, that she should have done better and informed Kungwane about her condition.
“I didn’t tell the organisers of the tournament because I was desperate to fight again as I had not fought in a long time. I was also afraid that they were going to pull me out of the tournament. I admit now that I took a big risk and I should not have done that,” Mathontsi, who before Friday last fought in December 2018, said.
Not only was the current South African female junior-flyweight champion sick, she also fought against a heavier opponent. Mathontsi weighed 46 kilograms while Vanjabei was 3,5kg heavier than her.
Meanwhile, Kungwane has said that Mdantsane-based Mathontsi should have informed her about her condition.
“I feel disappointed. I only heard on Saturday about her being sick. I blame it on her trainer. They can’t choose money over the life of a person. Imagine someone dying at my tournament,” Kungwane remarked.
Mathontsi, who is trained by Velile Damoyi, travelled to the fight without her trainer. Damoyi remained behind in East London as he was preparing newly-crowned SA featherweight champion Ayanda Gingqi. Damoyi asked Babes Makala to accompany Mathontsi.
