Boxer Hassan Mgaya dead at 29 days after being rushed to hospital in knockout defeat
Tanzanian professional boxer Hassan Mgaya has died at the age of 29 after being hospitalised in a fight against Paul Elias in Dar-Es-Salaam on December 27
Hassan Mgaya has passed away aged 29 in hospital after being injured in the ring.
Mgaya was knocked out in a defeat to Paul Elias in the Tanzanian capital of Dar-Es-Salaam on December 27.
He was immediately taken to hospital, but sadly passed away three days later, on December 30.
The WBC said in a 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.”
Reports from Tanzania state that Ngaya collapsed in the fifth round against Elias and bit his tongue. First aid was administered in the ring before he was rushed to hospital.
The Tanzanian Commission’s acting secretary Nsajigwa Mwangamilo paid tribute to Mgaya.
He said: “We extend our deepest condolences to to the family and boxing stakeholders in the country.”
Mgaya, a lightweight, had fought eight times professionally, winning three bouts, losing three and drawing another two. He achieved one knock-out victory and was knocked out twice himself.
His fight against Elias, a fellow Tanzanian professional, at Dunia Ndogo Hall in Tandale, Dar-Es-Salaam, was his fourth of 2024. He had fought exclusively in Tanzania during his career.
Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC) acting secretary general Nsajigwa Mwangamilo confirmed that Mgaya was laid to rest on New Year’s Day in Vingunguti, Dar-Es-Salaam.
He is the second Tanzanian boxer to pass away recently following a match after Abbasi Mselem died in November after being knocked out during his fight in Zanzibar.
