The death of Congolese cruiserweight boxer Roméo Katompa, who died in a fire at his rented apartment in Johannesburg, has been officially ruled out as xenophobic violence by his manager, Raymond Kupula.Kupula, based in Dubai, clarified that the incident was purely accidental, emphasizing that the fire caused Katompa's death.He warned against spreading false allegations of xenophobia, urging the Congolese community in South Africa to avoid making unsupported claims.Kupula shared videos and photos of Katompa's charred body, which he said confirmed the cause of death.He also highlighted the lack of evidence linking the incident to xenophobic attacks, questioning how such conclusions were drawn.Katompa, who had a record of four wins and two losses, called his manager on Thursday before his death.Kupula expressed bafflement over why the fire affected only Katompa's apartment and why he didn't escape.He urged patience for police investigations and reiterated his commitment to supporting boxers globally through promotions.

The article also mentions Kupula's other projects, including arranging fights for boxers in Russia and Dubai, and his recent work with Nhlanhla Tyirha, who recently won a world title.The piece underscores the tension between community concerns and factual evidence in high-profile incidents.