Karim Said, famously known as Mandonga Mtu Kazi, is a Tanzanian boxer known for excessively boastful talk before and after boxing matches.
The boxer never shies away from verbally tearing into his opponents days before matches, making him an internet sensation.
Here is what WoK has gathered about Mandonga.
Background
Mandonga was born in Morogoro where he spent his childhood and part of his adulthood. Before he turned a professional boxer, he made a living driving trucks.
Hilarious interviews
Intimidating his opponents is what Mandonga knows best.
Notably, whether he losses or wins a boxing match, the boxer finds a way of intimidating his opponent and sometimes even doing stunts as if he won.
His breakthrough came after a clip where he boasted about how he would beat his opponent surfaced after he suffered a knockout.
Mandonga’s signature stunts include punching trees with bare hands and running with heavy logs to intimidate his opponents.
It is the post and pre-match interviews that have made him a celebrity in Tanzania and an internet sensation across the world.
A song to his name
After getting the celebrity status, various Tanzanian musicians have come forward and composed a song praising the 43-year-old boxer.
Such musician include Belle Nine who composed a song dubbed ‘Mandonga’ in honour of the boxer.
Mandonga also enjoys backing from top Tanzanian musicians such as Roma Mkatoliki of Swahili music rap group, Roma.
Support from Tanzanians
In an interview after a boxing match, Mandonga hailed his fellow countrymen and women for their love and support.
He explained that his fans have always had his back and accorded him the support in needs even if he losses boxing matches.
“Mimi ni mtu wa watanzania mwanangu ndio maana watanzania wote wanampenda Mandonga mtu kazi wanakwambia aje ata apigwe ngumi afie ulingoni sisi tupo na Mandonga,” he said.
(I’m a man of the people, that’s why Tanzanians love Mandonga. That’s why even if I get beaten during matches and it looks like I’m going to die in the ring, they will still support me.)
Mandonga’s recent challenge was against Salim Abeid; the former showed immense growth as he commanded the fight from its onset.
The boxer had earlier sent a stern warning to Salim.
