Felix Bwalya

Felix Bwalya

Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing Zambia
All-Africa Games
	1991 Cairo	Lightweight

Felix Bwalya (born October 27, 1970 in Chingola – died December 23, 1997 in Lusaka) 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 (– 60 kg) by Tanzania's Rashid Matumla. As a professional he went 12–1 (9 KO), 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

13 fights	12 wins	1 loss
By knockout	9	0
By decision	3	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
13	Win	12–1	Paul Burke	PTS	12	Dec 13, 1997	Lusaka, Zambia	Won Commonwealth super lightweight title
12	Loss	11–1	Bernard Paul	PTS	12	April 22, 1997	York Hall, London, England	For vacant Commonwealth super lightweight title
11	Win	11–0	Bruno Sakabunda	PTS	10	Apr 6, 1996	Kabwe, Zambia
10	Win	10–0	Akwei Addo	TKO	4 (?)	Aug 26, 1995	Lusaka, Zambia
9	Win	9–0	Gashaw Gudeta	TKO	3 (12)	Jun 25, 1995	Lusaka, Zambia	Won vacant African light welterweight title
8	Win	8–0	Dalmas Otieno	KO	4 (?)	Mar 11, 1995	Lusaka, Zambia
7	Win	7–0	King Zaka	KO	1 (12)	Dec 10, 1994	Lusaka, Zambia	Won vacant Africa Zone 6 light welterweight title
6	Win	6–0	Bramley Whiteboy	KO	1 (6)	Nov 10, 1994	Lusaka, Zambia
5	Win	5–0	Bruno Sakabunda	PTS	6	May 28, 1994	Lusaka, Zambia
4	Win	4–0	King Zaka	RTD	2 (?)	Mar 26, 1994	Harare, Zimbabwe
3	Win	3–0	Charles Shiliya	KO	6 (6)	Nov 6, 1993	Kabwe, Zambia
2	Win	2–0	Samson Siwila	KO	1 (12)	Oct 2, 1993	Lusaka, Zambia	Won vacant Zambia light welterweight title
1	Win	1–0	Forger Siame	TKO	6 (6)	Jul 17, 1993	Lusaka, Zambia

External links

• Boxing record for Felix Bwalya from BoxRec (registration required)
• Zambian Fighter Dies After Victory from New York Times