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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
Matoumla.
Nicknamed "The Hammer" he made his professional debut on July
17, 1993 in Lusaka. He won the African Light Welterweight Title in
1995 by defeating Gashaw Gudeta. After having lost in the fight for
the Vacant Commonwealth (British Empire) Light Welterweight Title
in early 1997, Bwalya fought Paul Burke from England for the same title on December 13,
1997. 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. Afterwards he fell into a coma after what colleagues said
was a drinking spree following his controversial victory over the
Briton in Lusaka.
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
hospital, where he lapsed into a coma. Ten days after the fight he
died from head injuries sustained in the match, aged 27.
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