Tanzanian boxer Hassan Mwakinyo has been stripped of his WBO championship title after failing to step into the ring for nine months, the Professional Boxing Federation of Tanzania (PST) has confirmed.
PST President Emmanuel Mlundwa announced the decision, citing rules of professional boxing which require champions to defend their belts within a stipulated timeframe.
Read Also: Akwa United Chairman, Supporters Club Renew Bond Ahead of Promotion Push
“Mwakinyo has lost the title of WBO champion by not stepping into the ring for nine months as the rules of professional boxing say,” Mlundwa explained.
Mwakinyo, who once ranked 29th in Africa and 5th in Tanzania, must now prepare for a fight in his middleweight category and secure victory if he hopes to reclaim the title.
The boxer had successfully defended the belt three consecutive times before being stripped, with officials attributing his recent inactivity to challenges in finding an opponent.
This marks a setback for one of Tanzania’s most decorated fighters, but boxing fans will be eager to see whether Mwakinyo can bounce back and mount another title run.
