Jonah Lamu hospitalised in lead up to charity boxing match

Boxing unlikely factor in Lomu’s hospitalisation

by Michael Field & Belinda McCAMMON - Stuff (Rugby Heaven) - 26th Sept 2011

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LATEST: Rugby superstar Jonah Lomu remains in a stable condition in a renal ward at Auckland City Hospital although the details of what is wrong with him remain unclear.

Lomu, 36, was diagnosed with a kidney condition in 1995 called nephrotic syndrome, which attacks the kidneys' filtering system, and received a transplant in 2004.

He was training for a charity boxing match when he was admitted to hospital but his family say they are making no comment until they know what is behind his relapse.

Last month Lomu announced he would fight Warriors wing Manu Vatuvei in the boxing ring as part of charity event Fight For Life. The match is set to be held on December 3.

However, a kidney transplant expert said it was unlikely the former All Black legend's boxing training was to blame for his illness.
Kidney Health New Zealand education manager Carmel Gregan-Ford said the condition Lomu had suffered from was one of many that could lead to kidney failure.

There are 2500 people in the country on dialysis and up to 400 on waiting lists for kidney transplants.

Gregan-Ford said she did not want to speculate about Lomu's case but said it could be related to any number of problems.

''They'll always end up on the transplant ward because they've had a transplant.

''It could be anything from an infection to rejection, anything like that.''
However she said she believed it was unlikely Lomu's boxing training would have caused his admittance, saying exercise was good for any patient.

''I would have thought they would seek advice before they do anything like that and fitness is important for anyone with health issues and very important for someone who has had a chronic illness.''

She said every transplant was different and while some kidneys were rejected after a year, some lasted up to 20 years.

She said the transplant unit in Auckland was world-class.

''It's a great place. It may be just a routine check just to be on the safe side.''

An Auckland District Health Board spokesman said he was stable but gave no other details, and family, friends and business associates have remained quiet on his condition.

News of the former All Black winger's plight dominated rugby websites and news services around the world, prompting All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen to send his best wishes.

''We don't know too much about it other than he's in hospital. Our thoughts are with the big fellow and hopefully he makes a speedy recovery.''

Lomu recently took part in the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony.