Professional boxer Hassan Mgaya has died aged 29 just days after being hospitalised following a loss.
Mgaya was knocked out by fellow Tanzanian boxer Paul Elias in the country’s capital of Dar-Es-Salaam on December 27.
The lightweight figher was rushed to hospital shortly after the bout but sadly passed away in hospital just three days later.
Announcing the news, the WBC said in a short statement: ‘Tanzanian professional boxer Hassan Mgaya passed away on December 30, 2024, from injuries resulting from a knockout he received on December 27.
‘Mgaya had been taken to Palestine Hospital in Sinza, Tanzania, before being transferred to Mwananyamala Hospital where he spent his final moments.
‘The entire WBC family and President Mauricio Sulaiman send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our beloved champion. Rest in Peace.’
Tanzania Boxing Commission’s acting secretary Nsajigwa Mwangamilo also paid tribute to Mgaya, adding: ‘We extend our deepest condolences to to the family and boxing stakeholders in the country.’
Local media reports add that Mgaya received a number of heavy blows in the bout, biting his tounge and causing it to sink into his throat when he was knocked out.
Immediate first aid was administered following the knockout and it was thought that Mgaya had initially recovered from the knockout.
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But his condition quickly deterioated again, witht the 29-year-old eventually succumbing to his injuries.
The 29-year-old’s fight against Elias was the ninth of his professional career. Prior to that bout he had a 3-3-2 record.
Ngaya sadly becomes the second Tanzanian fighter to pass away in recent months after Abbasi Mselem died in November after being knocked out during his fight in Zanzibar.
And his death comes just a few days after the sad passing of Puerto Rican fighter Paul Bamba who had won his first title just six days prior to his death aged 35.
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