The boxing world is mourning the tragic death of Nigerian light-heavyweight fighter Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who collapsed in the ring during a bout against Ghanaian opponent Jonathan Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.
Olanrewaju, widely known as “Success,” was a former National and West African light-heavyweight champion. The fight, part of the Ghana Professional Boxing League’s Fight Night 15, had been going in his favor as he was reportedly leading on points before the shocking incident.
According to eyewitnesses, Olanrewaju suddenly collapsed in what appeared to be a cardiac arrest. A widely circulated video on social media showed the moment the Nigerian fighter fell, sending shockwaves through the crowd. Officials and medical personnel rushed into the ring to provide emergency aid before transferring him to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) confirmed his passing, stating that despite the immediate medical intervention, he did not survive. “After receiving first aid at the venue, he was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead 30 minutes after arrival,” the GBA’s statement read.
The general secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBC), Remi Aboderin, expressed deep sorrow over Olanrewaju’s untimely death.
“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.”
Fellow boxers, fans, and sports officials from across West Africa have taken to social media to pay tribute to Olanrewaju, praising his talent, determination, and contribution to the sport.
Olanrewaju began his professional boxing career in 2019 and quickly made a name for himself in West African boxing circuits. His official record stood at 23 fights, with 13 wins, 9 losses, and 2 draws, including 12 knockout victories. His aggressive fighting style and resilience in the ring earned him widespread recognition.
The GBA has announced a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Olanrewaju’s death to determine whether all safety protocols were followed during the fight. There are growing concerns over the adequacy of medical preparedness at boxing events and whether more stringent measures need to be put in place to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the boxing community grapples with the loss of one of its rising stars, questions remain about the risks involved in the sport and what more can be done to protect fighters from fatal incidents.
