Days after a tragic accident in the boxing ring claimed the life of 24-year-old boxer, Simiso Buthelezi, Tim Bradley Jr. made some unfortunate commentary regarding it while announcing another fight.
During a fight against Edgar Berlanga, Roamer Alexis Angulo, Angulo went to a neutral corner between rounds, then turned to go towards Berland’s corner before finally going to the correct corner.
At that point, Bradley referenced Buthelezi, who was shadowboxing with his back to his actual opponent as the fight that ultimately claimed his life was coming to an end. Tessitore laughed at the story.
Their earlier conversation came after Angulo struggled to find his corner after a round for the second time
Both announcers clearly didn't know that Simiso Buthelezi had passed away. A truly awful mistake to make. Glad they were able to apologize before the end of the broadcast. pic.twitter.com/kP6wEHPHQu
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 12, 2022
The video of Buthelezi, which is troubling to watch, can be seen here.
Bradley and Tessitore did not know at the time was that Buthelezi, passed away shortly after the incident.
Other people, however, did know about the situation and pointed it out.
Does Tim Bradley not know that boxer died who was fighting an invisible opponent? He was making a joke about it. I don’t think he knew
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) June 12, 2022
Tim Bradley gotta chill without the proper knowledge of that situation
— Loading . . . (@MyWashedGospel) June 12, 2022
Joe Tessitore and Tim Bradley chuckling about the Simiso Buthelezi video. Do they not know he died?
— MVO Uncensored & Brunch Boxing Cohost (Matt) (@izdatyofaceee) June 12, 2022
https://twitter.com/trotmanboxing/status/1535840954569080833
WTF??? Tim Bradley just laughingly referred to a "video where a guy started boxing a ghost" after knocking his opponent out of the ring. He hasn't heard that Simiso Buthelezi died the next day???
— J in J-town (@JinJtown) June 12, 2022
Bradley and Tessitore’s lack of knowledge of the situation is even worse when we remember that, before the fight that they were calling, a moment of silence was held for Buthelezi.
@Timbradleyjr the fighter you mentioned who fought the wrong corner, Simiso Buthelezi (RIP), died after that fight. @GoldenBoyBoxing held a 10-count tribute for him before the Munguia main event on tonight’s card.https://t.co/vuZpfKfoeE
— Polaski (@josephdrobbins) June 12, 2022
Bradley did eventually acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and offered an apology.
Tim Bradley and Joe Tessitore had to do a very solemn and awkward apology minutes after light heartedly discussing a viral video where a boxer becomes disorientated and starts shadow boxing an empty corner of the ring. They were unaware that boxer had passed away this week. pic.twitter.com/DOOzhWIkgF
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 12, 2022
All things considered, Bradley handled it about as well as he could have after he found out what happened. But unfortunately, that’s pretty minor after such a massive mistake. It’s incomprehensible that commentators for a major network like ESPN would be so clueless about such a recent, serious matter in a sport they were announcing.
