Professional boxing’s hidden toll: Injuries, deaths and disabilities

Former World Boxing Union (WBU) super middleweight champion Rashid “Snake Man” Matumla poses with his championship belts. PHOTO | COURTESY

Dar es Salaam.  A series of incidents has highlighted the severe consequences of boxers failing to undergo costly MRI or CT scans, exposing some fighters to life-changing injuries, permanent disabilities and even death.

Across Tanzania’s professional boxing circles, concerns are growing that inadequate medical screening is leaving athletes vulnerable to undetected brain injuries.