The Herald E-Edition

Lamati’s loved ones fly to his Belfast bedside

Mesuli Zifo

Mdantsane boxer Ludumo Lamati’s mother, girlfriend and manager will fly to Northern Ireland today to be at his bedside as he recovers in hospital after a brutal knockout loss a fortnight ago.

Lamati, 31, suffered a 12thround stoppage loss to Englishman Nick Ball for the WBC silver featherweight title at the SSE Arena.

He collapsed in the ring and was rushed by ambulance to Belfast Hospital, where he was immediately put in an induced coma to reduce the swelling and bleeding on his brain.

He has since shown remarkable improvement, with his manager Larry Wainstein saying he is able to eat by himself.

“Ludumo has shown remarkable improvement and doctors informed us he would be moved from the intensive care unit ward,” he said.

Wainstein said he had organised the paperwork for Lamati’s mother, Joyce’s, visa.

“All has been sorted out now and on Tuesday she flew from East London to Johannesburg so that on Wednesday she, Ludumo’s girlfriend, Chay, and I can fly to Belfast.”

Wainstein said it was imperative that Lamati’s recovery was enhanced by having his loved ones next to him.

Many boxing fans have been praying for Lamati ,with a group in Belfast setting up a fundraiser for his hospital bill.

English promoter Frank Warren, who has a connection with Eastern Cape boxing as the promoter of Mdantsane boxer Zolani Tete, revealed he had facilitated for Lamati’s family to be with him.

Warren, who co-promoted the fight, said his team was constantly monitoring Lamati’s condition in hospital.

Wainstein expressed gratitude for the steps taken to help Lamati in his hour of need.

“We appreciate any positive thing people are doing for Ludumo and we ask them to keep praying for him.”

Lamati’s loss to Ball was his first in 23 bouts, denting his quest of challenging for a major world title after reigning as the IBO junior-featherweight title holder when he beat Mexican Jose Martin Estrada Garcia in a fight of the year in June 2021.

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2023-06-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://herald.pressreader.com/article/281921662441539

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