Fresh Details About Nigerian Boxer Who Died After Collapsing mid Fight Emerge
Fresh details have emerged regarding the heartbreaking death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who tragically passed away after collapsing mid-fight against Jon Mbanugu in Ghana on Saturday.
Olanrewaju was competing in an undercard bout at the Bel 7-Star Energy Drink Professional Boxing League event in Accra, Ghana. Despite being medically cleared to participate, tragedy struck in the third round. As he suddenly collapsed onto the canvas, referee Richard Amevi initiated a countdown before promptly stopping the fight. Ringside medics rushed to his aid and transported him to Korle Bu Hospital, where he was pronounced dead just 30 minutes after arrival, according to GBC Online. The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) later confirmed his passing in an official statement.
Boxing Officials React to the Tragedy
Remi Aboderin, the general secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, expressed profound sorrow over Olanrewaju’s sudden demise.
“We are really devastated,” Aboderin told BBC Sport Africa. “[This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure that we stand [by] the family.”
Before the ill-fated bout with Mbanugu, Olanrewaju had a career spanning 23 fights, securing 13 victories and suffering eight defeats. His most recent fight before this encounter was a loss to Idowu Raheed in December in Lagos.
The GBA emphasized that Olanrewaju had been medically certified as fit by the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control before their approval of the match. “Oluwasegun was declared medically fit by the Nigeria Boxing Board Control with his certification as a professional boxer before the GBA sanctioned and approved the international contest,” their statement read, per My Joy Online.
Mbanugu’s Reaction to the Tragedy
After the fight, Mbanugu expressed mixed emotions—relief at winning but concern for his fallen opponent. “I’m excited [I won the fight], but I’m hoping and praying he gets well,” he stated. “I was throwing [punches], but along the way, I don’t know. But I think there’s something wrong somewhere.”
The exact cause of Olanrewaju’s death remains undetermined.
Fight’s Rescheduling and Its Impact
According to sports journalist Samuel Bartels, Olanrewaju was initially set to fight on Friday, March 28, but the bout was postponed, leaving him stranded in Ghana. Eventually, he agreed to participate in an undercard match against Mbanugu—a decision that led to his untimely passing.
His tragic death has reignited discussions on the risks faced by journeymen boxers—fighters who frequently take on rising talents to build opponents’ records. Concerns have been raised about their safety and the need for more stringent health monitoring to prevent such devastating incidents in the sport.
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Fresh Details About Nigerian Boxer Who Died After Collapsing mid Fight Emerge
