Professional boxer Hassan Mwakinyo has apologised to Tanzanians following his knockout defeat to Michel Soro, saying he entered the fight in a weakened condition that prevented him from delivering his best performance.
Mwakinyo suffered a ninth-round knockout loss to the French-Ivorian boxer in a scheduled 12-round contest held on Wednesday, a result that came as a disappointment to many of his supporters.
Speaking after the fight, the former WBF International champion admitted he was unable to compete at his usual level and expressed regret to fans who had expected a stronger showing.
“I would like to apologise to Tanzanians for what happened because even I was surprised by the outcome. I was weak,” Mwakinyo said.
The defeat marks another setback in the Tanzanian fighter’s professional career. According to his boxing record, it was the third time he has lost a fight by knockout.
Despite the disappointing result, senior government officials have urged the public to continue supporting the boxer as he works towards a comeback.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports and Chief Government Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa, said Mwakinyo deserves encouragement after the effort he invested in preparing for the fight.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Msigwa noted that although the boxer had trained hard and entered the ring determined to win, the fight did not unfold as expected.
He described the defeat as part of the realities of professional boxing and encouraged Mwakinyo to focus on rebuilding and preparing for future opportunities.
“We have lost a fight, not a boxer. What is important now is to encourage and support him so that he can return stronger,” Msigwa said.
Mwakinyo remains one of Tanzania’s most prominent professional boxers and has earned recognition both locally and internationally throughout his career. While the defeat raises fresh questions about his future in the sport, supporters remain hopeful that he can recover from the setback and return to winning ways.
The loss to Soro ends another chapter in Mwakinyo’s boxing journey, but many fans believe the experienced fighter still has the ability to compete at a high level if he regains full fitness and form.
