Mandonga ‘Mtu Kazi’ barred from boxing over health concerns

Popular Tanzanian boxer Karim Mandonga, alias 'Mtu Kazi', has been suspended from fighting until he undergoes thorough medical tests.

The Tanzanian Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC) barred the outspoken boxer from participating in any competitive fight citing health concerns.

The overall state of his health was raised following Mandonga’s frequent fights having featured in nine bouts in 11 months, and is even set to take on Muller Jr in Zanzibar on August 27 in what will be his 10th fight over that period.

TPBRC said Mandonga would only be allowed back in the ring once they ascertained he was medically fit.

Mandonga has featured in four bouts in just 35 days, with three taking place every seven days, which has left the boxing community awe-struck.

The streak includes two back-to-back losses, with the latest being a technical knockout against Ugandan Moses Golola in Mwanza over one week ago, having lost to Kenya’s Daniel Wanyonyi the previous weekend.

Addressing journalists at Muhimbili National Hospital, TJPBRC secretary general George Lukindo stated that Mandonga had to undergo an MRI test following the TKO against Golola.

"Any boxer who is knocked out (TKO) will be compelled to undergo tests or for a doctor to assess them for any effects from their match," he said.

Even after undergoing the tests, the defiant fighter still maintained that he would be ready for the Sunday, August 27 bout.

The boxing commission’s concerns come just a week after they defended the boxer, affectionately known as ‘Mtu Kazi’ over his frequent fights.

"There is no problem playing continuously, why are there boxers doing sparring every day? When the boxer himself is fit and the doctor agrees to fight, he plays and there is no problem,” argued the commission’s president Chaurembo Palasa.

Many social media users have welcomed the move, saying that the frequency of his fights was alarming.

The 44-year-old has won six, drawn four and lost three of his fights.