Felix Bwalya (born 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 divison (– 60 kg) by Tanzania's Rashid Matoumla. 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... Chingola is a municipality in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. ... December 23 is the 357th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (358th in leap years). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. ... Boxer redirects here; for other meanings of boxer, see Boxer (disambiguation). ... Boxing at the 1992 Summer Olympics took place in the old Pavelló Club Joventut de Badalona in Barcelona. ... For other uses, see Barcelona (disambiguation). ... The lightweight division is the 130 pounds (59 kilograms) to 135 pounds (61 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing. ...

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. July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Paul Burke (born July 25, 1966 in Preston, Lancashire) is a former professional boxer from England, who competed in the lightweight division (– 60 kg). ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification    - by Athelstan 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi   - Water (%) Population... December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. Malaria (from Medieval Italian: mala aria — bad air; formerly called ague or marsh fever) is an infectious disease that is widespread in many tropical and subtropical regions. ...

External links

• boxing-records.com
• BoxRec