Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula has expressed his sadness and dismay following the death of Mzwanele Kompolo, who was rushed to the Mount Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape, after he had been knocked out by Sphenathi Qambi.

Kompolo was stopped in the first round at Willowvale Indoor Centre at the weekend.

Kompolo, from King William's Town, was based in Mdantsane where his skills were polished by Thembisile Mjele.

The boxer is understood to have died on Tuesday morning.

"I'm truly saddened by his passing, especially during the period wherein we are still establishing the circumstances that led to the passing of female boxer Phindile Mwelase," said Mbalula yesterday.

Kompolo is the third boxer to have died this month. The first was Lwando Molwana, who was shot dead in Cape Town last week.

Gauteng welterweight holder Boitshepo Mandawe was stabbed to death in Soweto on Sunday night.