Zimbabwean professional boxer Taurai Zimunya died at a Harare hospital on Monday, a day after he collapsed during a non-title bantamweight bout against Tinashe Majoni.
Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board has confirmed the death of the 24-year-old boxer, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that he died of head injuries he suffered during the fight.
“It is with great sadness that we received the news of the passing of Taurai Zimunya who died at Perirenyatwa Hospital during the early hours of today, 1 November 2021,” the statement reads.
“He was 24. Taurai was a licenced professional boxer and collapsed in the 3rd round of a 6 round non-title bout which was hosted in Borrowdale, Harare on 31 October 2021,” the statement reads.
The statement further says the Board took all steps in line with professional boxing before the fight at Body Active Gym in Borrowdale, Harare.
“All the necessary medical procedures were followed and emergency medical assistance was provided at the venue before he was taken to Perirenyatwa Hospital where he received further medical care,” the statement reads.
“Autopsy on the actual cause of his death is yet to be obtained from the experts. The boxing fraternity has indeed been shaken by this unfortunate incident.”
Zimunya belonged to Legends Boxing Club based in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mbare.