Hassan Mgaya, a lightweight from Tanzania, passed away after suffering injuries in a bout on December 27.
Mgaya was knocked out by Paul Elias in the Dunia Ndogo Hall in Dar es Salaam, and died in hospital three days later.
The death was confirmed by the WBC in a statement that read: “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.”
Secretary of the Tanzanian Boxing Commission, Nsajigwa Mwangamilo, added: “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and boxing stakeholders in the country."
Mgaya was 3-3-2 (1 KO). He had been stopped in his second and third pro fights in 2017 and 2019, was inactive from 2020-2022 and had not boxed for two years before facing Elias, who is also from Tanzania.
Local reports indicated Mgaya was dropped by several headshots in round five and bit his tongue, which then fell into his throat.
His burial took place on New Year’s Day.
Last November, Abbasi Mselem passed away following a bout in Zanzibar.