Felix Bwalya


Felix Bwalya was a boxer from Zambia, who competed for his native country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. There he was stopped in the first round of the lightweight division by Tanzania's Rashid Matumla. As a professional he went 12–1, capturing the African and Commonwealth light welterweight titles in 1995 and 1997, respectively. He died from head injuries sustained in the latter fight.

Career

Felix Bwalya fell into a coma after what colleagues said was a drinking spree following his controversial victory over the Briton Paul Burke in Lusaka. The Zambian boxer won a unanimous decision in the 12-round bout despite being knocked down and saved by the bell in the last round.
Bwalya, who was on medication for malaria, went on a two-day celebratory binge soon after the fight, friends said. He complained of a headache and was taken to the intensive care unit of the local University Teaching Hospital, where he lapsed into a coma.
The then Zambia's Minister of Sport, William Harrington, announced the suspension of the Professional Boxing Board of Control and said he had instituted an independent inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding Bwalya's death.
Bwalya, who was 27, was knocked down three times in the last three rounds and was on the canvas as the final bell sounded.
But he was ahead on points and won the fight despite vociferous complaints by Burke's camp, who claimed the final round was at least two minutes short.
Hilary Matyola, head of the Zambian Boxing Board of Control, had been suspended by Mr Harrington along with the rest of the board.
Mr Matyola said last week the board was discussing whether referee Hugo Mulenga should have stopped the 12-round bout.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
13Win12–1 Paul BurkePTS12Dec 13, 1997 Lusaka, ZambiaWon Commonwealth super lightweight title
12Loss11–1 Bernard PaulPTS12April 22, 1997 York Hall, London, EnglandFor vacant Commonwealth super lightweight title
11Win11–0 Bruno SakabundaPTS10Apr 6, 1996 Kabwe, Zambia
10Win10–0 Akwei AddoTKO4 Aug 26, 1995 Lusaka, Zambia
9Win9–0 Gashaw GudetaTKO3 Jun 25, 1995 Lusaka, ZambiaWon vacant African light welterweight title
8Win8–0 Dalmas OtienoKO4 Mar 11, 1995 Lusaka, Zambia
7Win7–0 King ZakaKO1 Dec 10, 1994 Lusaka, ZambiaWon vacant Africa Zone 6 light welterweight title
6Win6–0 Bramley WhiteboyKO1 Nov 10, 1994 Lusaka, Zambia
5Win5–0 Bruno Sakabunda6May 28, 1994 Lusaka, Zambia
4Win4–0 King Zaka2 Mar 26, 1994 Harare, Zimbabwe
3Win3–0 Charles ShiliyaKO6 Nov 6, 1993 Kabwe, Zambia
2Win2–0 Samson Siwila1 Oct 2, 1993 Lusaka, ZambiaWon vacant Zambia light welterweight title
1Win1–0 Forger Siame6 Jul 17, 1993 Lusaka, Zambia